Report says Peloton to halt making bikes, treadmills

Peloton’s shares tumbled on Thursday after a media report said the exercise and treadmill company was temporarily halting production of its connected fitness products amid waning consumer demand.

Shares fell nearly 24 per cent, or US$7.62 to US$24.22, on Thursday on the report.

Peloton plans to pause production of its main stationary bikes for two months, from February to March, according to news network CNBC, citing confidential documents. The news site said that the company had already halted production of its more expensive Bike+ in December and will do so until June. It won’t manufacture its main treadmill machine for six weeks, beginning next month. And it doesn’t anticipate making any of its more expensive Tread+ treadmill machines in fiscal 2022, according to CNBC.

The move is the latest in a string of bad news for Peloton, which was one of the early pandemic success stories. In May, it halted production of its Tread+ treadmills, after recalling about 125,000 of its treadmills less than a month after denying they were dangerous. One was linked to the death of a child while others were linked to injuries of 29 others.

Last August, the company cut the price of its main stationary bike, the product that was the cornerstone of its original popularity, by US$400 because of slower revenue growth.

In November, the company slashed its annual sales outlook, noting that it expected annual sales of US$4.4 billion to US$4.8 billion in fiscal year 2022, which ends in June. It originally had expected US$5.4 billion. Peloton is slated to release fiscal second-quarter results on February 8 after the market closes.

The turn of events has battered Peloton’s stock. Shares have fallen 84 per cent in the past 52 weeks.

Peloton sales spiked as quarantined Americans bought at-home exercise equipment as a way to stay fit. It couldn’t keep up with demand. But its success has created additional competitors who sell cheaper bicycles and exercise equipment. In addition, many high-end gyms are offering virtual classes that once were Peloton’s biggest draws. And in recent months, Americans are returning to their local gyms.

Peloton Interactive Inc didn’t immediately respond to AP’s request for comment.

AP