Life in the fast lane: Halfords reports record sales over Christmas

Strong demand for bikes and dash cams helped retailer Halfords notch up record sales over Black Friday and Christmas. The group posted a 2.9 per cent rise in retail like-forlike sales over its third quarter to 12 January, led by a 7.8 per cent jump in bike sales. It said it saw strong demand for bikes including electric models, as well as cycle repairs, with sales by number up despite recent price hikes. Comparable sales for its autocentres business rose 0.7 per cent, leaving overall group like-for-like sales 2.7 per cent higher in the quarter.