Once again, Happy New Year to you all. While we find ourselves in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances, I sincerely hope that those of you who love cycling and outdoor activities will be able to fully mature your new lifestyles, do what needs to be done, live your best lives, and have a resilient year ahead.
Since the turn of the year, similar to many viruses that spread in winter, the feared rise in infections has become evident nationwide. Unfortunately, despite the great efforts of the public, a state of emergency has finally been declared in 11 prefectures across the country, including here in Aichi. I would like to take this opportunity to re-announce Circles' new business hours and operational policies following the declaration of the state of emergency.
– From the 18th (Mon), the shop will transition to a by-appointment-only system,
and business hours will be shortened to 7:00–19:00.
Circles has been operating at full capacity to maintain normal business and meet customer deadlines; however, due to the state of emergency, we will be transitioning to a by-appointment-only system starting on the 18th (Monday), just as we did last year.
Therefore, to protect the health of our valued customers, staff, and our families, if you wish to visit the shop, please make a reservation via our web booking page. We are committed to maintaining a safe environment by staying mindful of our shop space, providing ventilation, and conducting regular sanitization so that you can visit and consult with us with peace of mind. Our entire team will continue to explore the best ways to provide service and curate attractive product lineups to ensure your satisfaction, striving to offer you the "best" possible support under the current circumstances. We appreciate your cooperation.
*Essential repairs for daily-use bicycles, such as city bikes, will continue to be accepted at the pit as usual. While we aim to provide same-day repairs whenever possible, please understand that due to the sharp increase in bicycle usage for commuting to work and school, we may need to keep your bike overnight more frequently. (Repair受付 is open from 7:00 every day, so please feel free to utilize this service.)
For online appointment bookings, click
here.
Additionally, we will be implementing shorter business hours.
Starting Monday, our business hours will be 7:00 – 19:00 (7:00–10:00 is for repair services only).
We are moving our closing time up by one hour from 20:00 to 19:00, effective Monday. Please keep this in mind when making your reservations.
Please also be aware that when visiting the shop (including for repair drop-offs), we continue to mandate sanitizing hands at the entrance, temperature checks, and the wearing of masks upon entry.
For online consultations via Zoom, etc., click
here.
We will also continue to offer Zoom consultations for those who are unable to visit in person, so please take advantage of this service.
– Please also utilize our web shop.
If you already know what products you would like to purchase, please use our web shop. We have seen a remarkable increase in customers using our online store since last year. Our EC team will continue to work hard to meet your needs and strive to provide the best service possible while minimizing errors such as stock discrepancies or shipping mistakes.
Furthermore, if you live within Nagoya city, our Daisy Messenger can deliver your items by bicycle on the same day, so please feel free to utilize this service if you are a local resident.
Our web shop is open year-round (excluding year-end/new year holidays), so please use it for simple purchases. We are happy to answer any questions regarding products via email.
※ Please note that we are receiving a large number of inquiries and are responding in the order they are received; it may take 2–3 days to get back to you.
※ Also, with the increase in email inquiries, we are seeing many issues such as incorrect email addresses or delivery failures to carrier email addresses (mobile carrier emails). If you do not receive a reply, we recommend double-checking the email you sent or contacting us from an email address other than a mobile carrier one.
– Let’s utilize bicycles!
While remote work is being encouraged as much as possible, we know that many of you work in jobs where that is not possible, and there are situations where going out is unavoidable. In such circumstances, especially in urban areas, we must not forget that the bicycle is a highly effective means of transportation—both for avoiding crowds and for the sake of the environment!
Circles is committed to continuing our contribution to society as an ally to those who already use bicycles and those who are planning to start.
It seems the battle against this virus will be a long one, but I feel that what is most important is for each of us to think about those around us—starting with our immediate circle—to respect the situation properly, and to live our lives while taking all possible precautions.
Just as a bicycle won't move unless you pedal, we cannot afford to stand still, so let's join forces and overcome this together.