The story of Gymshark, a leading fitness apparel and accessories brand, begins in 2012 with its Founder, Ben Francis. As a teenager who was passionate about fitness and web design, Ben started Gymshark in his mom’s garage in the UK. With humble beginnings, he would hand stitch and screen print the clothes himself before selling them online.
Recognizing the potential success of the fitness industry, Ben scaled up the business through intense social media marketing. By investing in sponsorships of famous fitness influencers and making effective use of influencer marketing, Gymshark saw a rapid increase in popularity and sales. By 2016, Gymshark had officially become the fastest-growing company in the United Kingdom.
In 2018, Gymshark expanded its reach across the pond and opened its first U.S. logistics center in Ohio. The move massively reduced delivery times, allowing the brand to reach its American customers more efficiently. This was followed by establishing a secondary distribution center in Kentucky.
Today, Gymshark serves millions of customers around the world, and the brand is worth over $1 billion. The company has remained self-funded and despite the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic, they have surpassed their yearly targets, and continue to lead the online fitness apparel industry.
Conclusion
The story of Ben Francis and Gymshark is an inspirational tale of how passion coupled with hard work and smart strategies can lead to astounding success. What started as a teenage hobby in a small garage, became a fitness empire recognized globally. It shows that age and bigger competitors shouldn’t deter one from dreaming big and making those dreams a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Gymshark founded?
Gymshark was founded in the United Kingdom.
Who is the founder of Gymshark?
Gymshark was founded by Ben Francis.
When did Gymshark expand to the United States?
Gymshark expanded to the United States in 2018.
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