Fitt Insider Gyms Take Over Retail, Celsius Surges, Sweetgreen Eyes Personalized Food
Mar 20, 2026
Retail is being transformed as service tenants now outnumber goods, with gyms claiming nearly 30% of new leases. Energy drinks surge as Celsius grows into a multi-billion dollar player and consolidates brands. A fast-casual chain leans into higher-protein items and health-data driven meal recommendations to personalize dining.
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Fitness And Wellness Are Redefining Retail Space
- Service tenants now occupy a majority of U.S. retail space, signaling a structural shift away from product-focused malls.
- Gyms alone account for ~30% of service leases, with boutique studios, recovery and beauty concepts expanding in neighborhoods like Flatiron and Nomad.
Energy Drinks Move Into Everyday Routines
- Energy drinks have grown beyond occasional boosts into everyday consumption tied to meals, social moments, and wellness routines.
- Celsius grew to $2.5B revenue in 2025 from $75M seven years earlier and now owns nearly 20% of the $23B market after consolidating brands.
GLP-1 Use Is Changing Beverage Preferences
- GLP-1 medication use is shifting beverage choices toward zero-sugar functional drinks to manage fatigue and changing habits.
- Celsius and similar brands benefit as consumers replace coffee, sports drinks, and alcohol with functional energy beverages.