What: Gymshark launches an innovation programme in partnership with L Marks to discover transformative solutions in product performance, sustainability, and robotics.

Why it is important: This initiative reflects a growing trend of retailers creating dedicated innovation spaces, demonstrating how traditional retail is evolving to embrace technology and start-up collaboration for competitive advantage.

Gymshark has unveiled an ambitious innovation programme in collaboration with specialist firm L Marks, designed to identify and nurture groundbreaking solutions for the fitnesswear industry. The initiative focuses on three key areas: enhancing product performance and sustainability, optimising supply chain management, and developing pioneering robotics solutions. Through a structured 10-week programme, selected start-ups will receive mentorship from industry leaders whilst working closely with Gymshark to develop and implement their innovations. The retailer's chief product and supply chain officer, Laurent Madelaine, emphasises the programme's goal of delivering superior products to their fitness-focused community. The initiative specifically seeks solutions "from supply chain to squat rack" and "faster, and heavy-lifting time-saving robotics," while remaining open to unexpected innovations that could transform the business. This comprehensive approach aims to accelerate growth for participating start-ups while strengthening Gymshark's position in the competitive fitnesswear market.

IADS Notes: Gymshark's Innovation Lab launch aligns with a significant trend in retail transformation observed throughout 2024. In October 2024, Galeries Lafayette's La Maison demonstrated how retailers are creating dedicated spaces for tech innovation and community building, while Future Stores showcased how rotating brand activations can enhance customer engagement through technology. This approach is supported by research from April 2024, which revealed that retailers investing substantially in innovation achieve significantly higher returns, with top performers seeing a 21% ROI compared to 9% for minimal investors. The focus on community engagement mirrors broader industry shifts identified in October 2024, where successful retailers are reimagining physical spaces as community hubs to foster deeper connections with their customers. Gymshark's initiative builds upon these insights, combining innovation with community-focused development to create a comprehensive approach to retail evolution.

Gymshark launches innovation lab to find ‘game-changing solutions’