Starkenn Sports on expansion drive

Starkenn Sports Pvt Ltd, formerly known as Sprint Sports Pvt ltd, has announced its expansion plan for creating eight new experience centres across India. Keeping up with modern manufacturing standards, Starkenn bikes are made to satisfy the urbanites' need for adventure, outdoor fitness, sporting activity, group indulgence activity, etc, according to the company. The bikes offer the highest levels of safety, performance, comfort and convenience for users. Additionally, Starkenn Sports has partnered with some of the world's best names in bicycle spares, accessories and equipment segments making the cycling experience a holistic one. The brand expands to 30 cities through dealer networks and plans to open eight company owned experience centres with  the first experience center already operational.

Starkenn Sports is the exclusive distribution rights holder and marketer of GIANT, the largest premium bicycling brand, headquartered in Taiwan, which has made its grand entry into India and other South Asian countries . The brand's experience centre in Pune became the No.1 premium cycle selling outlet in India in terms of volume and value in merely three months of operation.With a global turnover of US $ 1.8 billion, GIANT is a distinguished brand across the world known for its pioneering technology and manufacturing expertise. Giant sold 6.2 million bicycles in 2012 - 13 and the numbers showed a significantly upward growth in 2013- 14.

With a rapidly globalising Indian economy, rising standards of living and faster exposure to the latest technologies the advent of the premium bikes in the Indian market is just a matter of time. Being an eco-friendly mode of transport,steps are been taken to revive the bicycling culture in the country. Currently, the market size of these premium bicycles in India is estimated at 2.5 lakh units per annum, which is approximately 1.5%–2% of the total market. But it is growing at over 30% per annum. Starkenn Sports thus plans to setup'unique biking experience centres' across the key cities in India enabling the customers to understand and discover cycling in a never seen before experience.
 
Commenting on the occasion, Pravin V Patil, MD & CEO, Starkenn Sports Pvt Ltd said, "Led by a combination of increasing awareness towards health and an appetite for high quality goods, international trends and international brands, premium bicycle is a rapidly growing durable category in India. Cycling addresses the issues of health, congestion on roads and pollution hazards. Consciousness about these three elements is rising which is directly responsible for the growing cycling business in India. The market of premium bicycles, although accounts for a little over 1.5% of the total bicycles sold in India annually, is growing over 4 times the industry average. We plan to appoint over 100 key trade partners primarily in A, B & C category towns to fulfill the long awaited demand for an international quality bicycling experience. We already have 58 trade partners helping us reach across 30 cities in India currently. Starkenn Sports will bring greater technological advancement and innovation to cater to the cycling enthusiasts of the country. Our constant endeavour is to make bicycles which match the lifestyles of our customers across all sections of society and give them a new experience of riding.”