Bumps Snowsports Celebrates 40 Years In Melbourne
Great to see popular Melbourne shop Bumps snowsports celebrate their 40th anniversary this month, despite everything from covid lockdowns to serious health issues.
Peter Haley and family and the team have created an enduring presence that shows the value of great service and local presence. We even bought a 2nd hand Mal board of him a dozen years ago that’s still doing the business, so can vouch for their equally good advice on the surf front.
But it’s Bumps Snowsports that’s the focus here.
Since opening on March 15, 1982, the business has been trading in Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick and draws shoppers from all over Victoria, as well as interstate.
“We are renowned for our exceptional customer service. We really are a destination store. People come from all over Victoria to shop at Bumps, because of our comprehensive range and our impeccable service,” said Bumps owner Peter Haley.
As a full-service ski shop, Bumps offers customers the complete experience – from the biggest range in snow gear to personalised boot fitting and an on-site ski and board tuning service using Wintersteiger and Montana equipment.
Bumps’ boot fitting service is one of its unique offerings and something that customers will struggle to find elsewhere. Staff have been extensively trained in boot fitting, including how to assess different shapes and sizes of feet, and analysing movement and flexibility of the foot and ankle.
“Feet come in all shapes and sizes which can make choosing the right boot hard enough, but matching those shapes to each unique foot is where true skill comes in. This is our speciality,” Mr Haley said.
“One of the key things I’ve instilled in all of our staff over the years is our mantra: ‘The right product for the right reason, no exceptions’,” he said.
When Bumps opened 40 years ago, it all began as a family-owned business.
The store has always operated with family values at its core and this attitude has been instilled in the workplace culture and among staff over the years.
“We’ve had some staff members work for us for more than 15 years, and even the ones who have left to pursue different careers often return to the store to shop for snow gear. Some of them are even bringing in their children and introducing the next generation to Bumps,” Mr Haley said.
Peter’s son Rob recently joined the business to assist with everything from sales to ordering to running the tuning workshop and everything in between.
“The idea is that Rob will take the reigns more, with the view that he will eventually take over the business. We’re very glad that we could keep the business in the family and I’m sure customers will appreciate that continuity,” Mr Haley said.
As you would expect, for a business that has been running for 40 years, Bumps has evolved over the years and undergone many changes.
The journey began when Bumps opened its doors in Elsternwick in 1982, in two small shopfronts measuring about 1300 square feet.
The team’s commitment to delivering outstanding service was quickly rewarded with growth that saw the store expand in 1987 to absorb the corner shop next door, doubling their floor space.
That was supplemented with two rear shipping containers for storage and another expansion, bringing the floor space to 3500 square feet.
But one of the biggest milestones over the 40 years of doing business is the shop’s move to their current location at 481 Glen Huntly Rd about 10 years ago. Bumps now boasts a whopping 6000 square feet of space, allowing the shop to stock Melbourne’s largest range of ski and snow sports products.
As for hitting their 40-year milestone, Mr Haley said he was proud of the achievement.
“We are very proud. And our staff are quite proud to be part of this success too,” he said.
“When I look back on all these years, I am most pleased with all the relationships we’ve built with our customers. They’re incredibly loyal, and many of them keep coming back to the store, generation after generation. I think that is something to be quite proud of.”
Check out their great range of gear online even if you can’t drop in. And kee your eyes out in May for the latest Snow Action issue dropping there – available free to Bumps customers.