Gymshark Plants Flag with First Permanent US Store at Roosevelt Field

Gymshark is set to significantly expand its physical retail presence in the United States with the upcoming launch of its first permanent US store. This move follows a successful test-marketed physical store in New York last year, signaling the UK-based gymwear brand and fitness community advocate's commitment to a more tangible retail experience for its American consumer base.

The new flagship store will span 4,000 square feet and is slated to open later this year at Roosevelt Field in Long Island, New York. Roosevelt Field is one of the largest enclosed shopping centers in the US, covering over 2.4 million square feet and home to more than 270 retailers, making it a strategic location for Gymshark's debut. The store will feature dedicated "destination zones" for popular items like shorts and leggings, alongside Gymshark's distinctive mannequins, which are sculpted on real members of its community. All of Gymshark's product lines, including Power and Vital, will be available to customers from day one.

This Roosevelt Field location is not just a standalone opening; Gymshark has indicated that it will serve as the blueprint for all future stores across the United States. Hannah Mercer, General Manager of Wholesale and Retail for Gymshark, emphasized the significance, stating, “To open our first permanent store in the US is a hugely significant moment.” She added that the company has meticulously analyzed the successes from its four other core store openings over the past year, leveraging insights on staffing models, operational optimization, traffic, footfall, and store destinations to inform this new venture. Mercer further affirmed, “This store at Roosevelt Field will be the model for all future end endeavors in malls and commercial centres to create the best shopping experience possible for our community.”

The US expansion is part of a broader global strategy that has seen Gymshark establish physical locations in Manchester, Dubai, and Amsterdam more recently. Its very first store opened on London’s Regent Street in 2022, marking the beginning of what the brand describes as its "strategy to make it fully omnichannel." Prior to this permanent store, Gymshark had tested the American market with a three-month pop-up shop on Wooster Street in New York, gathering crucial insights into consumer behavior and preferences.

Founded by Ben Francis in 2012, Gymshark has rapidly grown into a global powerhouse, boasting over 20 million community members across more than 200 countries. The company's annual revenues reportedly exceed $800 million. In 2020, Gymshark achieved 'unicorn' status, reaching a valuation of over $1 billion without any prior external funding, a remarkable feat that made it only the second British company to accomplish this milestone at the time.