GNC Launches Expanded `Low Carb Headquarters,' Offering Enhanced Selection of Traditional Food Items

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2003--

Product line meets growing consumer demand for Atkins-friendly weight management products

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General Nutrition Centers, the nation's largest specialty retailer of nutritional supplements, announced today a major enhancement to its low carbohydrate product offering. Responding to the growing popularity of high-protein, low carbohydrate weight management programs, such as the Atkins Nutritional Approach(TM) and other controlled carbohydrate diets, GNC is significantly expanding its "Low Carb Headquarters" section to include both ready-made products, such as bars and energy drinks, and more traditional food items, such as cereals, pastas, syrups, chips, bake mixes and bread, just to name a few. An estimated 15 to 30 million Americans currently follow some form of low carbohydrate, high protein weight management program.

"The low carb category has replaced other weight management programs as the category driver in our industry," said Charlie Chiaverini, GNC's Vice President, Sports and Diet. "As consumers have seen the benefits of the 'Atkins lifestyle,' there has been a significant increase in customer demand for products that go beyond energy bars and shakes. One of the challenges many consumers experience in following a high protein, low carbohydrate program has been finding quality replacements for high-carbohydrate staples. With the launch of our expanded 'Low Carb Headquarters,' we are providing consumers with a trusted, 'one-stop' source for a full range of high protein, low carbohydrate weight management products."

The enhanced "Low Carb Headquarters," which is currently being rolled out to all GNC locations, will see GNC's low carb product range increase from a single, three-foot wall section to a three- to five-wall set, depending on the size of the store, as well as another two to three, three-foot floor gondola sections dedicated specifically to convenience items such as low carb bars and candy.

General Nutrition Companies, Inc. (GNC), based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the largest nationwide specialty retailer of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements, sports nutrition as well as personal care and related products. GNC operates more than 5,300 retail outlets throughout the United States, including 1,360 domestic franchise locations, and 33 foreign markets including Canada and Mexico. GNC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Numico N.V., a worldwide market leader in specialized nutrition that includes infant and clinical nutrition and nutritional supplements. Headquartered in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands, Royal Numico operates in over 100 countries and has research facilities in the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, China, Australia and in the US. Additional information can be found on www.numico.com and www.gnc.com.