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REP Fitness Flexes in Europe’s Top Market: Plans Direct-to-Consumer Launch in the UK

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LONDON, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — REP Fitness, the Colorado-based strength brand renowned for its innovative, high-quality gym equipment, today announced the official launch of its direct-to-consumer operations in the UK. Building on a successful 2024 in which REP achieved over $130 million in sales, this expansion marks a significant step toward the brand’s ambition of becoming the world’s no. 1 strength brand, targeting 50% growth in 2025.

REP Fitness has announced the official launch of its direct-to-consumer operations in the UK.

“The UK is a pivotal market for REP as we continue to grow internationally. After the success of our EU launch in 2024, the UK was the logical next step for us,” said Ryan McGrotty, co-CEO of REP Fitness. “By bringing our class-leading racks, benches, barbells, and functional training tools directly to British customers, we can make quality strength equipment more accessible and continue empowering individuals to pursue their strength goals.”

UK Market Potential & Expanded Offerings

The UK is home to 11 million commercial gym members, supporting a $250 million strength training equipment market, a $500 million cardio equipment market, a $1 billion sports nutrition market, and a $5 billion fitness apparel market. Frequently cited—alongside Germany—as the 1st or 2nd largest fitness market in Europe, the UK offers a robust landscape for REP’s ongoing expansion. In addition to its established product lineup and new cardio line, the brand will also introduce its apparel line—featuring innovative performance fabrics and functional design—and its expanding Purist supplement & nutrition range to UK consumers, furthering its commitment to delivering a comprehensive fitness ecosystem.

Leadership & UK Rollout

The local expansion will be led by Martyn Jones, who joined REP in December 2024 and now serves as CEO of REP Fitness UK. Under his leadership, REP will introduce pricing similar to the US market: excluding VAT or sales tax, UK customers will see pricing closely mirroring US prices. REP is also bringing over 1,200 SKUs to the UK—matching its US assortment—and aims to launch 30 new products globally in 2025.

“Our goal is to ensure that our UK customers receive the same value and experience as our US customers,” said Jones. “Our product pricing will match our US prices as closely as possible. We’re also introducing an array of new products in 2025, including a cardio lineup, and collaborating with independent designers to bring fresh innovations to market—making this an incredibly exciting time to be part of REP and now, a UK fitness enthusiast.”

Transition from Fitness Superstore

REP Fitness will conclude its distribution partnership with Fitness Superstore on September 30, 2025. Fitness Superstore has been instrumental in establishing REP’s footprint in the UK since 2023, providing in-store demonstrations and exceptional customer service.

“We are immensely thankful to Fitness Superstore for representing the REP brand so successfully,” said Jon Little, Chief Operating Officer at REP. “They have been an outstanding partner, helping us reach thousands of UK customers. As our product lines expand into cardio equipment, apparel, supplements, and more, we recognize that a direct presence in key markets is crucial to achieving our ambition of becoming the world’s number one consumer strength brand. This transition is part of our broader strategy and is by no means a reflection of Fitness Superstore’s performance. We remain on excellent terms and look forward to continuing the overall growth of the UK strength market together.”

Paul Walker, Managing Director of Fitness Superstore, echoed these sentiments:

“We’ve been proud to partner with REP Fitness since 2023, introducing their top-tier equipment to thousands of satisfied customers across the UK. This transition to a direct-to-consumer model underscores REP’s strategic growth, and we appreciate being acknowledged for the crucial role we played. We’re pleased that all existing warranties, remaining REP inventory and service agreements will transfer seamlessly to REP Fitness UK, ensuring our customers continue to receive excellent support. We remain on great terms with REP and look forward to watching their continued success in the UK market.”

Existing Customers: All warranties, service agreements, and post-purchase support for REP equipment purchased through Fitness Superstore will transfer seamlessly to REP Fitness UK.New Customers (Interim): Fitness Superstore will continue offering REP products through September 30, 2025. After that date, all remaining REP inventory will be transferred to REP Fitness UK and Fitness Superstore listing will be removed. Ongoing customer orders will then be handled exclusively through the dedicated REP Fitness UK channel.

New UK Facility & Operational Timeline

From Q1 2026, REP Fitness UK will begin shipping orders nationwide from a new 40,000-square-foot facility at St Modwen Park in Gloucester. This facility will feature:

A head office capable of housing up to 40 staff members,A full retail showroom where customers can experience REP’s equipment in person,A warehouse capable of holding up to £10 million worth of stock, ensuring quick fulfilment and dispatch across the UK.

“Throughout 2025, we’ll be setting up robust operations so that when deliveries start in Q1 2026, customers experience REP’s renowned quality and service from day one,” explained Jones. “We want to ensure every aspect of our local operations—from customer support to logistics—is ready before we go live.”

If REP Fitness UK is not fully operational in time for its traditional Black November sale, the company will instead offer a subsequent launch sale so that UK customers do not feel they have missed out on any seasonal promotions.

Comprehensive Customer Focus

REP is committed to providing UK customers with the same high level of service and convenience it offers in the US. This includes:

Free Shipping within the UK for direct-to-consumer orders.Pick-Up Discounts for customers who collect their orders from the Gloucester site.Local Warranty & Returns mirroring the US, ensuring peace of mind for every purchase,UK-Based Customer Support with local phone numbers and GMT/BST service hours.Financing & Payment Options such as PayPal and Klarna, offering up to 3 years of finance credit to make equipment purchases more accessible.

REP will also introduce a B2B sales channel in the UK, enabling businesses of all sizes—from independent gyms to large-scale fitness facilities—to access REP’s expanding lineup of strength equipment.

Building a Strength-Focused Community & Looking Ahead

REP’s community-focused ethos extends beyond its product offerings:

UK Athlete Program: REP is actively recruiting local athletes and ambassadors to showcase the brand’s equipment, further connecting with the UK fitness community.FIBO 2025: REP will attend the global fitness event in Germany, unveiling a host of new products. Martyn Jones will be on-site to meet with UK customers and discuss the brand’s vision.Monthly Updates: Starting in May, REP will hold monthly online sessions to update UK customers on the launch process and address questions—ensuring the strength community remains involved and heard.

“By combining unparalleled innovation, top-tier customer support, and the best prices, we’re empowering individuals and businesses alike to take charge of their fitness journeys,” added Jones. “Our new Gloucester facility—and the dedicated team behind it—will be at the heart of that effort in the UK.”

ABOUT REP FITNESS

REP engineers and sells world-class, innovative strength equipment that is shipped worldwide. Founded in Colorado in 2012 by two brothers with a shared passion for fitness, REP has grown into a team of more than 200, with operations spanning multiple continents. That shared passion for strength drives REP’s innovative spirit today, as the company remains dedicated to creating class-leading fitness equipment at a great value.

REP has been listed twice on the Inc. 5,000 fastest-growing companies — in 2018 (#450) and in 2021 (#962). REP products frequently earn top-choice rankings across leading fitness publications, including Men’s Health and GQ. For more information about REP, visit repfitness.com.

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SOURCE REP Fitness

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Melody Party Offers Over 20,000 Songs and Adds More Than a Thousand New Tracks Monthly, Enhancing Its Online Karaoke Experience

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SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Melody Party is a music social app featuring a variety of activities, including Mic Grab, Artist Mafia, and Singing Battle. Through its online karaoke feature, SING A SONG, the app brings the traditional karaoke experience online, removing time and location constraints and offering a music experience that combines real-time singing with social interaction.

SING A SONG features an extensive library of more than 20,000 songs, with over a thousand new songs added every month. Its diverse selection includes popular K-pop tracks, classic Korean songs, and karaoke favorites. The feature offers a free-use model, allowing users to start singing their chosen songs without paying a separate fee. This helps reduce the time and cost associated with visiting traditional coin-operated karaoke venues, making it easier to enjoy singing as part of everyday life.

In terms of functionality, SING A SONG supports pitch adjustment and independent volume controls for vocals and accompaniment, allowing users to customize their singing experience according to their preferences. Users can also create online karaoke rooms, invite friends to sing together in real time, and enjoy voice chat and social interaction.

By continuously expanding its song library and offering diverse music-based interactive experiences, Melody Party continues to strengthen its music ecosystem. Through SING A SONG, the platform aims to create an accessible, highly interactive online music social space.

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SOURCE Melody Party

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Drawing new strength from 20-year legacy, IAACA calls on global counterparts to join annual conference to fortify integrity

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MARRAKECH, Morocco, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), an independent and non-political anti-corruption organisation with over 190 member anti-corruption authorities (ACAs) worldwide, will co-host IAACA Annual Conference 2026 in Marrakech, Morocco next month together with the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong, China (ICAC) and the National Authority for Probity, Prevention and Fight Against Corruption of Morocco (INPPLC) to chart a path for the global graft fight and explore cutting-edge approaches to tackle emerging corruption challenges.

Themed “Building on 20 Years of Legacy: Drawing Strength from the Past, Guarding Global Integrity for the Future”, the international event will not only mark the 20th anniversary of the IAACA, but also provide a dynamic forum for IAACA members to exchange insights and enhance co-operation.

Calling on international counterparts to participate in the conference scheduled for November 25, IAACA President Mr Woo Ying-ming, who also serves as ICAC Commissioner, said that “As the IAACA marks its 20th anniversary, the conference will bring together global anti-corruption community at a pivotal moment for collective action. I anticipate that the valuable insights and new approaches generated through the international synergy will chart a resilient strategic path for us to navigate integrity risks and draw strength from our shared legacy to guard global integrity for generations to come.”

During the conference, renowned international experts from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Basel Institute on Governance, the International Anti-Corruption Academy, and global anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies and institutions will shed light on harnessing artificial intelligence in the fight against corruption, safeguarding integrity within global climate and biodiversity frameworks and analysing global corruption measurement and systemic effectiveness.

Following the conference, the ICAC, the INPPLC, the IAACA and the UNODC will co-organise a training seminar on leveraging AI in combating corruption.

While the ICAC and INPPLC will share how AI and new technology can reshape the future of anti-graft enforcement and corruption prevention, the UNODC will provide a global perspective on using AI models in financial crime investigations and addressing the operational relevance, legal robustness and adaptability across jurisdictions.

For details of the conference and training, please visit:
https://www.icac.org.hk/icac/iaaca-morocco-2026/index.html

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SOURCE International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA)

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Viettel moves 100 million subscribers to home-grown cloud-native charging in three months – with zero downtime

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HANOI, Vietnam, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Viettel High Technology Industries Corporation (Viettel High Tech), part of Viettel Group, has migrated more than 100 million subscribers and some 5,000 tariff plans at Viettel, Vietnam’s largest mobile operator, to vOCS 4.0, its in-house cloud-native charging system. The three-month cutover ran on a live national network with no service disruption.

Replacing a charging system is one of the riskiest projects an operator can undertake, which is why many stick with legacy platforms. Viettel High Tech reduced the risk through real-time data synchronization, parallel running and a phased cutover, with instant rollback at every stage.

The project won the Telecom Review Excellence Awards 2026 prize for Best Technology Deployment in Asia, a first for a Vietnamese company.

What it means for operators:

Scale: more than 300,000 transactions per second at latency below 5 milliseconds, across 2G–5G and fixed services on one platformLower cost: up to 50% less hardware investment than the previous generation, by sharing infrastructure with the networkAgility: new tariff plans in hours instead of days, new features three times faster and deployments about 30% fasterResilience: two active data centers about 2,000 km apart and automatic recovery in under two minutes

Viettel High Tech developed every core layer in-house, from a telecom-grade cloud-native platform and NFV-MANO orchestration to real-time charging, subscriber and balance management.

“Passing rigorous tests of real-time self-diagnosis and self-recovery is what allows an operator to keep its promise of 24/7 service to customers,” said Luu Manh Ha, CEO of Viettel Networks, which operates the system on Viettel’s network in Vietnam. “Above all, owning the charging system means an operator is not dependent on foreign vendors – it safeguards digital sovereignty and preserves business flexibility.”

“The charging system is where an operator’s business strategy turns into revenue in real time,” said Nguyen Minh Quang, CEO of Viettel High Tech. “We believe vOCS 4.0 is ready to help operators worldwide capture the value of 5G and digital services.”

In 2017, vOCS 4.0’s predecessor, vOCS 3.0, replaced a foreign vendor’s platform for 90 million Viettel subscribers. Across both generations, vOCS serves more than 220 million subscribers in 11 countries. Viettel High Tech now offers vOCS 4.0 to operators worldwide.

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SOURCE Viettel Group

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