Riding on the back of iPod’s success has helped cycling and car retailer Halfords beat the gloom seen elsewhere on the High Street.

While shoppers have stayed away from other stores, Halfords’ car-integration kits for the iPod has contributed to its massive £40 million profits.

The company reported a 20 per cent rise in earnings for the six months to October and believes it owes the humble iPod a great big thank you for many of these sales.

Halfords sells kits that allow iPod owners to hook up their digital music player to their car stereo, providing high quality MP3 music on the move.

© 2005 Adfero Ltd