GNC Holdings, Inc., the US-based specialty retailer of health and wellness products, on Monday announced that it is expanding its retail presence in China by opening the first stand-alone GNC store in Shanghai. The first stand-alone location opened yesterday in Raffles City, one of Shanghai’s prime retail and office space locations.
The move complements GNC’s existing marketing footprint in the world’s largest consumer market. The company plans on opening an additional 25 locations in China within the next 12 months.
"In only two years, the GNC brand has developed strong acceptance among Chinese consumers. GNC will continue to expand our retail store presence in this dynamic and fast-growing market, and we are excited about finding new opportunities to address the needs of China’s many health & wellness consumers with new and innovative products," said Joseph Fortunato, GNC’s Chairman, President & CEO.
The vitamin retail chain has been selling its Made in the USA products in China since 2011 when it opened its Shanghai-based office and distribution centre. GNC currently has over 60 store-within-a-store locations in eight different major grocery, convenience and health and wellness chains in China, including Ole, City Super, Sam’s Club and Watson’s.
GNC brand products are also sold on the internet through GNC licensed partners on e-commerce sites that include Tmall, Amazon and 360buy. GNC is a highest searched supplement brand online and is ranked number one in supplement sales on Amazon and number three on 360buy to date.