Four years after opening its first physical store, Gymshark is extending its brick-and-mortar rollout into Germany through two premium partners.
Gymshark is making its first foray into physical retail in Germany, partnering with two of the country’s established premium sporting goods retailers to open permanent shop-in-shop spaces.
The Birmingham-founded activewear brand has signed wholesale agreements with Engelhorn in Mannheim and Breuninger in Stuttgart – its first bricks-and-mortar presence anywhere in the DACH region. Until now, German consumers could only access the brand through its direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce platform.
A selective wholesale approach
Engelhorn will be the first to go live, opening a 150-square-meter dedicated floor for both men’s and women’s products this week. The Breuninger location, situated within the Stuttgart flagship’s sports department, covers approximately 100 square meters and is expected to follow in a few days, according to reporting by TextilWirtschaft. Both partners will carry collections including Power and Vital.
From online-only to selective physical retail expansion
The German launch continues the measured physical expansion Gymshark has pursued since opening its first flagship store in London in 2022. Subsequent locations followed in Manchester, Amsterdam, Dubai, and New York—the latter opening in December 2025. Rather than replicating its own-store model in new markets, the brand is using wholesale partnerships to build a German retail footprint with lower capital exposure.
The choice of Engelhorn and Breuninger is strategic. Both retailers occupy the upper tier of German sport and lifestyle retailing, with strong footfall from the fitness-conscious demographics Gymshark targets. Wholesale entry through curated, premium environments allows the brand to validate physical demand before committing to standalone leases.
About Gymshark
Gymshark was founded in 2012 by Ben Francis and Lewis Morgan in Birmingham, UK. Originally operated out of a garage with a single sewing machine and screen printer, the brand pivoted from dropshipping supplements to manufacturing its own performance apparel.
The company has since evolved into a global activewear powerhouse, largely credited with pioneering influencer marketing and digital community-building. While maintaining its direct-to-consumer (DTC) roots, Gymshark began its physical retail expansion in October 2022 with its London flagship on Regent Street. As of early 2026, the brand operates six permanent flagship locations internationally—including major hubs in London, Manchester, Amsterdam, and a 13,000-square-foot North American flagship in New York City.
About Engelhorn Sports
Founded in 1890 and headquartered in Mannheim, Engelhorn is a family-owned retail group operating several specialized houses. Its Engelhorn Sports division spans seven floors and nearly 10,000 square metres, making it one of the largest specialized sporting goods stores in Europe. The retailer features a 28-metre indoor climbing wall, a bike workshop, and technical analysis centres for running and skiing.
About Breuninger
Established in 1881 by Eduard Breuninger in Stuttgart, Breuninger operates 13 locations across Germany, including a 2025 Hamburg flagship. Its 35,000-square-metre Stuttgart flagship houses fashion and beauty brands. Breuninger introduced Germany’s first customer loyalty card in 1959. The group runs an e-commerce platform serving 10 European markets. Its sports departments blend performance gear with fashion aesthetics.
