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 (ots/PRNewswire) -

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/.

Web site: http://www.gnc.com
http://www.mass.fi

ots Originaltext: General Nutrition Centers, Inc.
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Greg Miller, +1-212-537-5177, Ext 1, gmiller@marketcompr.com, of
MarketcomPR for General Nutrition Centers, Inc.