Over the last few years, I've rediscovered some joys of my childhood. Fresh vegetables - I'm sure I forgot what they were as soon as I started university - and riding a bike. Nowadays, I'm vegetarian and have a shed full of bicycles (you can never have enough bikes!)
Friends often ask how I fuel up for longer road rides or tough mountain biking sessions - "Where do you get your protein?" And while I'm not chomping down on a steak, one thing is for certain - on a good ride, the backpack is loaded up with foods.
Plant-powered cyclists have a go-to list of "superfoods" to get in riding condition. You'll find a great summary for vegetarian cyclists here. On riding day, many of these are impractical. Items need to be carried in small saddlebags, the back of a jersey, or a hydration backpack. So here's the vegetarian options we're coming to buy.
1. BANANAS
Nothing beats the banana when cycling. Loaded with carbs for fuel, potassium to replenish electrolytes, plus fibre, Vitamins C and B6, magnesium and antioxidants. Did you know that bananas are ergonomic? They can be opened while wearing gloves and their shape is perfect for sliding into a jersey pocket. Almost every cyclist (vegetarian or not) is heading straight to your banana display - so consider making this a central point for selling nutrition to riders.
2. ENERGY BARS
When you have to carry your meal up a mountain, it has to be light. Energy bars pack a mix of quick and slow-release calories into a small package. There are many on the market - my personal favourite is the vegan-friendly Clif Bar, which can now be found easily in many supermarkets, cycling and adventure stores. Whatever energy bar you're selling, you'll sell many more if positioned by the bananas.
3. DRIED FRUIT
To avoid the dreaded "bonk" - a rapid decline in energy and performance - cyclists must continue to eat during a ride. On a longer ride, up to 50% of fuel comes from calories consumed during the ride. No amount of carbohydrate cramming the night before changes this. To get quick sugars, without hitting the confectionery aisle, dried fruits are a great choice. Small sultana packs are a personal favourite, as I can access and eat them without stopping. My only problem is I forget to buy them - they're almost always at the other end of the supermarket!
Whatever it is you're looking to sell to the plant-powered cyclist, or any other specific activity group, put yourself in their shoes. How can you group items into a selection at a recurring temporary display to increase sales? At Euroswift, we provide modular off-shelf merchandising systems that can be quickly arranged to create these types of agile displays. Get to know when different customer profiles visit your store and merchandise accordingly.
Author profile
Steve Nelson believes in incredible retail spaces that sustain communities. Steve is a Retail Display specialist, who has worked with iconic retailers across the globe. As leader of Euroswift Retail Creations in Australia, his focus is delivering solutions and techniques that help retailers develop dexterity at the shop floor, to predict the needs of their local community and react rapidly. Connect with Steve on LinkedIn
