GNC (company)

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

GNC

GNC is an American retail company that sells health and wellness products, including vitamins, minerals, and sports nutrition supplements. The company operates over 9,000 retail stores in the US and also sells its products online.

Other names[edit | edit source]

General Nutrition Centers.

GNC store

History[edit | edit source]

GNC was founded in 1935 by David Shakarian, who opened the first store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Over the years, GNC has expanded its offerings to include a wide range of health and wellness products, including dietary supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, sports nutrition, and health and beauty products. In 1999, GNC went public, and in 2016, it was acquired by Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Holding Co., Ltd. With its headquarters located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, GNC has been operating for over 90 years and has become one of the largest retailers of its kind in the world, with more than 8,000 stores in over 50 countries.

An empty and closed GNC store in June 2020

Products and Services[edit | edit source]

GNC offers a wide range of health and wellness products, including:

  • Dietary supplements - GNC offers a range of dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and other health supplements, designed to help support overall health and wellness.
  • Sports nutrition - GNC offers a range of sports nutrition products, including protein powders, bars, and pre-workout supplements, designed to help support athletic performance and recovery.
  • Health and Beauty - GNC offers a range of health and beauty products, including skin care, hair care, and makeup, designed to help support overall health and wellness.
  • Herbal products - GNC offers a range of herbal products, including herbal supplements and teas, designed to help support overall health and wellness.
  • Weight management - GNC offers a range of weight management products, including weight loss supplements and meal replacement shakes, designed to help support weight loss and weight management goals.

Health and wellness programs[edit | edit source]

Health and Wellness Programs - GNC offers a range of health and wellness programs, including health assessments and custom vitamin packs, designed to help support overall health and wellness. Health and Wellness Workshops - GNC offers a range of health and wellness workshops, including cooking classes and fitness classes, designed to help support overall health and wellness.

Online store[edit | edit source]

Online Store - GNC offers an online store, allowing customers to shop for health and wellness products from the comfort of their own homes.

Zinc GNC

Controversies[edit | edit source]

Over the years, GNC has faced several controversies, including: Misleading Advertising - In 2016, GNC faced criticism for misleading advertising, with several of its products being found to contain ingredients that were not listed on the label. Quality Control Issues - In 2015, GNC faced criticism for quality control issues, with several of its products being found to contain dangerous contaminants. Despite these controversies, GNC has continued to grow and expand, becoming one of the largest retailers of health and wellness products in the world.

Summary[edit | edit source]

GNC is a leading retailer of health and wellness products, offering a wide range of products, including dietary supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, sports nutrition, and health and beauty products. With a history that spans more than 90 years, GNC has become a trusted source for health and wellness products, helping millions of people around the world support their overall health and wellness.

Official website[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  • "GNC: Company Profile." Bloomberg, Bloomberg, www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/GNCL:US.
  • "GNC Holdings, Inc." Yahoo Finance, Yahoo, finance.yahoo.com

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD