General Nutrition Centers
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| General Nutrition Centers, Inc. | |
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1935 |
| Headquarters | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Key people | Joseph Fortunato, CEO |
| Industry | Retail |
| Products | Nutritional supplements |
| Revenue |  $1.42 Billion (2004) |
| Website | www.gnc.com |
General Nutrition Centers or GNC is a Pittsburgh based American commercial enterprise focusing on the retail sale of health and nutrition related products, over the counter drugs, and foods/food supplements world-wide through GNC branded stores.
GNC's origins began in Pittsburgh, 1935, when David Shakarian founded a chain of health food stores called Lackzoom. The name changed to "General Nutrition Centers" in the 1960s, and has since become the world's largest health products retailer.[1] In December 2003, GNC was sold by then owner Royal Numico, a leading Dutch baby food maker, followed by a subsequent sale to private equity firm Apollo Advisors. Apollo has kept the company headquarters in Downtown Pittsburgh. Its logo is modeled after GMC, General Motors' truck manufacturer.
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[edit] Retail stores
GNC retail stores (or "GNCs") will typically stock a wide range of weight loss/bodybuilding supplements and nutritional supplements, in both their own numerous in house brands as well as third party name brands, as well as health and fitness books, magazines and related tools. The company also stocks vitamins, natural remedies, and health and beauty products. GNC has over 5000 stores in the US as well as locations in 41 other countries.[2]
[edit] Australian GNC
GNC LiveWell in Australia currently has 41 Stores located in Brisbane (Queensland), Sydney (New South Wales) and Melbourne (Victoria). Most of these stores have taken a major rebrand in January 2007, following the opening of their store at Westfield Chermside in Brisbane, QLD. The opening sparked a huge popularity in the fitness industry in Brisbanes North, following the openings of Fernwood (Female Only Gym) and Goodlife Health Clubs, which currently have 10 locations in Brisbane. The opening of the new stores have also come under dismay from HealthyLife and GoVita, which have similar based stores in the same shopping center.
The Major Rebrand has taken a new approach to merchandising with front glass display cabinets featuring LCD Plasma Televisions displaying specials and products, and inviting customers into the store for free samples of their own brand of protein powders. The stores have a wooden look, with wooden racking and gondolas, fridges for cold beverages towards the back, and a centrally located point of sale desk.
[edit] Business model
GNC retail stores are both a combination of corporate-owned and franchised stores; 1300 of the 5000 domestic US stores are franchises, commonly located within urban shopping malls and shopping zones.
[edit] Relationship with Nutrisystem
GNC currently offers the Nutrisystem weight loss program at select Philadelphia and New York area stores. This is the first time Nutrisystem has ever been offered for sale at a retailer.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| Pittsburgh-based Corporations (Within the Pittsburgh Metro Area) |
|---|
| Pittsburgh-based Fortune 500 Corporations: U.S. Steel | PPG | H.J. Heinz | PNC Financial | Mellon Financial | WESCO International |
| Pittsburgh-based Fortune 1000 Corporations: Allegheny Energy | Consol Energy | Allegheny Technologies | Dick's Sporting Goods | Kennametal | American Eagle Outfitters | Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel | Mylan |
| Pittsburgh-based Forbes Largest Private Companies: 84 Lumber | GNC | Giant Eagle | Sheetz |
| Externally owned, regionally based, and other Pittsburgh corporations: American Bridge | Ampco Pittsburgh | Bayer USA | Calgon Carbon | Dollar Bank | DQE Holdings | Eat'n Park | Federated Investors | FedEx Ground | GlaxoSmithKline | Guru.com | Highmark | iGate | Koppers | Michael Baker | Mine Safety Appliances | NOVA Chemicals | Oxford Development | Pittsburgh Brewing Company | Respironics | rue21 | University of Pittsburgh Medical Center | Vivisimo | Wabtec |
