Gymshark eyes more stores in the US and Europe as its Regent Street flagship exceeds expectations. Founder Ben Francis highlights a quality-over-quantity approach. The next store opens in Westfield Stratford this weekend.
Gymshark's first store on Regent Street in London has exceeded all expectations since it opened in late 2022. Ben Francis, the founder and CEO, said, "The Regent Street store has been incredibly successful. I’ve been blown away by how well it’s done." This store's success is driving Gymshark to open more physical stores worldwide, focusing on quality locations.
Ben Francis shared plans to open more stores in the UK, US, and Europe. Gymshark is looking for the right units before making any commitments. "We are actively looking across the UK, the US, and Europe, but we are committed to finding the right units before we agree to anything," Francis stated. The approach is unit-led rather than targeting specific store numbers.
With the US being Gymshark's largest market, the company sees it as its biggest opportunity. "The US is our biggest market and also our biggest opportunity. It’s the biggest fitness market in the world," Francis explained. Gymshark aims to become a globally iconic British brand, known both online and offline. The new stores will host events and meet-and-greets, enhancing community-building efforts.
The next Gymshark store is set to open this weekend at Westfield Stratford. Each new store will be designed to cater to local preferences while maintaining the core experience of high-quality products and community engagement. "We want to take learnings from our existing stores but also adapt to local nuances," Francis said. Gymshark's strategy emphasizes finding perfect spots that align with the brand’s values and customer base.
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