Lehdistötiedote: GNC & Active Nutrition

Media Contact:
Greg Miller
MarketcomPR
212-537-5177, Ext 1
gmiller@marketcompr.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GNC Continues European Expansion through Exclusive Online Distribution Agreement with Active Nutrition International for Sales of Sports Nutrition Products in Sweden, Finland, Denmark & Norway

Pittsburgh, PA, September 3, 2008 – General Nutrition Centers, Inc., the largest global specialty retailer of nutritional supplements, today announced another step in its continuing expansion in Europe through an exclusive distribution agreement for online sales of GNC’s private label products, its first in Europe, in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway with Active Nutrition International Oy, one of the leading online retailers of sports nutrition products in the world. The agreement enhances GNC’s growing profile in Europe, which currently includes franchise stores in Bulgaria, Turkey and Ukraine, and development agreements for franchise stores in Ireland, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Portugal and Spain. GNC has franchise stores in place or development agreements to put franchise stores in place in 50 countries around the world.

“This is an important part of our growth strategy in key international markets,” said Reginald Steele, SVP for GNC International. “It gives us access to a robust online marketing vehicle in Scandinavia, which is an important long-term market for GNC as part of our expansion in Europe. Scandinavia is also a great market for sports nutrition products, which will be the major focus of our presence on Active Nutrition International’s Mass Nutrition website (www.mass.fi). We look forward to the opportunity of building brand awareness for GNC products in this important and attractive segment of the larger European market.”

Expanding GNC’s presence in Europe remains a key corporate priority in 2009, Steele noted. “We will continue to look for additional growth opportunities within the European Union, either with brick-and-mortar stores or more distribution and online venues.”

Robert Walker, President & founder of Active Nutrition International said, “We welcome this opportunity to partner with GNC. While GNC products have not been available in this market until now, the brand’s reputation for quality manufacturing, proprietary formulations and consumer-friendly information is no secret. We look forward to working with GNC to expand the market for cutting-edge sports nutrition products throughout Scandinavia.”

About GNC

GNC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., is the largest global specialty retailer of nutritional products including vitamin, mineral, herbal and other specialty supplements and sports nutrition, diet and energy products. GNC has more than 5,000 retail locations throughout the United States (including more than 950 franchise and 1,550 Rite Aid store-within-a-store locations) and more than 1,100 franchise stores in 38 countries, with an additional 12 countries under development. The company – which is dedicated to helping consumers Live Well – also offers products and product information to customers in the US online at http://www.gnc.com/.