Gymshark North America
Office Expansion
Overview
Gymshark, a globally recognized fitness apparel brand headquartered in the UK, embarked on its North American expansion in 2019. Tasked with finding an ideal location for their first U.S. office, Peter Arch, Vice President of People at Gymshark, partnered with our team, Andy Bennett and Richard Smith, Jr, CCIM, as their commercial real estate brokerage team. Headquartered out of Atlanta, GA, our role was to identify and secure a location aligned with Gymshark’s corporate culture, operational needs, and growth objectives.
The Challenge
Gymshark outlined eight key criteria for their office location:
- Direct Flights to Heathrow, UK: To ensure seamless travel between headquarters and the U.S. office.
- Affordable Office Space: Balancing cost efficiency with quality.
- Access to Local Universities: A pipeline for recruiting top talent.
- Cost of Living: Ensuring affordability for employees.
- Tax Rates: Favorable corporate and individual tax environments.
- Commuter Times: Minimizing employee travel time.
- Weather: A climate conducive to employee satisfaction.
- Quality of Life: A location that matched Gymshark’s vibrant and health-focused culture.
The search began with 14 cities across the U.S., later narrowing to a shortlist of eight: Denver (CO), Tampa (FL), San Diego (CA), Raleigh/Durham (NC), Charlotte (NC), Boston (MA), Las Vegas (NV), and Nashville (TN). Each city was evaluated against Gymshark’s criteria.
Our Approach
As Gymshark’s commercial real estate brokerage team, we employed a strategic and data-driven approach to guide their decision-making process:
Market Research & Analysis
- Conducted in-depth research on each shortlisted city, focusing on market trends, tax incentives, rental costs, and workforce availability.
- Provided detailed comparisons of corporate tax rates, state income taxes, and sales taxes to identify cost-effective options.
Site Visits & Stakeholder Engagement
- Recruited industry-leading talent Bringing in top executives and experienced management staff from their largest competitors.
- Expanded geographically Opening 13 regional offices across the U.S. to establish a local presence in key soccer markets.
- Acquired complementary businesses Integrating new services into their offerings to create a one-stop solution for youth soccer clubs.
- Forged strategic partnerships Collaborating with governing bodies, professional clubs, and international soccer organizations to enhance programming and training.
Customized Solutions
- Identified properties that offered stunning views of the Colorado Rockies in Denver, aligning with Gymshark’s emphasis on quality of life and a dynamic work environment.
- Negotiated lease terms that provided flexibility for future growth while optimizing costs.
Decision Support
Presented clear recommendations based on Gymshark’s priorities, highlighting Denver as the ideal choice due to its:
- Direct flights to London.
- Thriving local talent pool from universities like UC Boulder.
- Affordable cost of living compared to other major cities.
- Vibrant outdoor lifestyle that resonated with Gymshark’s brand ethos.
The Result
In May 2020, Gymshark signed a lease for their North American office in Denver, Colorado. The office offers breathtaking, top-floor views of the Rocky Mountains and embodies the company’s commitment to fostering a high-quality work environment. This strategic location has since become a hub for Gymshark’s U.S. operations, supporting its growth in North America.
Conclusion
By leveraging our team approach and expertise in commercial real estate and understanding Gymshark’s unique needs, Andy and Richard successfully guided them through a complex decision-making process. The result was a seamless transition into the U.S. market with an office space that reflects their culture and brand identity and supports their long-term goals.
What our clients have to say
Bennett EXP helped us shift from reactive to strategic. We’re now more confident in our direction—and seeing results to match.
I have known and worked closely with Andy Bennet for over 25 years and have witnessed him establish a well-earned reputation in the youth sports industry as a thoroughly professional and detail driven leader with a clear understanding of what it takes to launch, manage, grow, scale, and diversify a business.
Andy is an experienced sales manager and alongside a wealth of knowledge and experience, he brings a positive energy to every meeting and truly understands the need to achieve balance and cooperation between sales, operations and marketing.
I consider Andy to be one of my closest friends and allies in the sports industry, and I have benefited greatly from his support.
Peter Arch
Former CEO - Challenger Sports Kansas City, KS. USA Senior Vice President - US Sports Camps/Nike, Denver, CO. USA.
At Bennett EXP, I help businesses overcome challenges and unlock growth through tailored strategies. Let’s connect to explore how we can elevate your business to the next level.