Online brands prioritising their physical retail presence in 2022
2nd February 2022 Experts are saying there has never been a better time to open a new store. Even considering the initial impact of the pandemic on the retail industry, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Reduction in commercial rent prices is providing brands with the perfect opportunity to either open their first store or expand their enterprise into new locations. In addition, landlords and agents have become less restrictive about short-term leases, allowing brands to experiment with physical retail in the form of pop-up shops. Here, we will take a look at some of the biggest, previously online-only brands that are using this opportunity and showing us that physical retail is a core part of their 2022 growth strategy. Gymshark Founded in 2012 from the bedroom of CEO Ben Francis, Gymshark has made a huge impact in the world of fitness apparel and supplements over the last decade, having been valued at over £1 billion in 2020. The digital-native brand’s rise to success is largely thanks to its savvy use of social media and influencer marketing. Having successfully experimented with pop-up shops, including their first pop-up in Covent Garden in 2020, Gymshark has recently announced that they will be...
