For over 17 years, ESN (Elite Sports Nutrition) has stood for innovation and quality in sports nutrition. With proteins, supplements and hydration products, the brand has established itself in the mainstream far beyond gyms and is now a leader in Germany. With 2.2 million active customers and up to 500,000 orders per week, ESN, as part of the Quality Group, contributes significantly to the Group's annual turnover of around 800 million euros.
Karo talks to Philipp Markmann (General Manager ESN) about the success story and exciting plans for the future. The next goal: Sprint towards omnichannel and internationalization to win the race in Europe.
Where are sports nutrition and supplements currently in the hype cycle? What roles do social media, stationary retail and community events play when it comes to reach and customer loyalty? And what are the Game Changer products that are making the biggest push right now? You will also learn how ESN ensures good product quality in a market with low barriers to entry and thus clearly stands out from low-cost providers.
Our key insights about ESN:
💪 Athletes as sparring partners: Professional athletes express product requests, test new developments and actively contribute to designing the portfolio.
🌐 Omnichannel growth: From its own online shop to fitness studios to collaborations with flagship gyms, ESN combines online and offline experiences.
📈 Strong community: Training camps, events and social media activities strengthen customer loyalty and increase brand reach.
🧪 Quality as a competitive advantage: With its own laboratories and a high level of production expertise, ESN clearly stands out from low-cost providers and ensures consistently high standards.
🌍 International expansion: ESN is expanding its international presence with markets in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the UK.
💡 Innovation and trends: From hydration to micronutrients to all-in-one supplements — ESN relies on proven routines and develops new product categories at the same time.
An overview of the conversation with Philipp Markmann from ESN:
(1:30) The ESN growth story
(3:50) Sports nutrition trend check: Where are proteins, supplements, etc.?
(9:46) Product development with athletes as sparring partners
(12:18) Customer Acquisition: This is how ESN inspires and binds
(20:30) Offline communities and flagship gyms: making products tangible
(26:17) Future plans for omnichannel, internationalization and new markets
