GNC Holdings LLC

Pittsburgh – GNC Holdings Inc. is making moves to both buy stock and sell convertible notes.

The retailer has authorized a multi-year program to repurchase up to $500 million of its Class A common stock.

The authorization is in addition to the company's previous authorization, which currently has $242 million remaining. The repurchases are expected to take place during the next 24 months with the amount and timing determined by GNC.

Pittsburgh – GNC Holdings Inc. missed Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue in a generally disappointing second quarter of fiscal 2015. GNC reported net income of $67.4 million, a decrease of 4% from $69.9 million for second quarter 2014.

Cost of sales increases were a key factor in reduced net income. GNC reported consolidated revenue of $678.5 million, an increase of 0.5% as compared with $675.2 million. Revenue growth was limited by a 2.8% same-store sales drop in company-owned stores, including GNC.com.

Pittsburgh – GNC Holdings Inc. demonstrated some weakness during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 with shrinking profit and revenue. Net income dropped 9% to $63.27 million from $69.9 million a year earlier, driven by rising selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses.

Net revenue fell slightly to $670.25 million from $674.46 million. Same-store sales decreased 4.1% in domestic company-owned stores (including GNC.com sales). In domestic franchise locations, same-store sales decreased 1.5%.

Petco has filled two key executive roles as it continues to build a team to successfully execute key strategic initiatives.

The company has named Michael M. Nuzzo as EVP and chief financial officer and Michael W. Zuna as SVP and chief marketing and digital officer.

GNC Holdings Inc. is looking to 2015 as a year of expansion. The retailer plans to open 125 total net new domestic and retail segment locations, and has plans for more.

The retailer also will open approximately 150 net new international franchise locations, and approximately 30 net new GNC-Rite Aid store-within-a-store locations.

GNC announced its store growth plans as part of its fourth quarter 2014 financial results. During the quarter, net income rose 9% to $51.77 million from $47.66 million. A decrease in interest expense drove the rise in profits.

New York -- By 2023, online grocery sales are projected to range between $80 billion and $123 billion according to statistics released by Steve Bishop of Brick Meets Click (BMC) in a presentation at The Food Institute webinar "Get In On The Growth of Online Shopping." If realized, at the middle of those two projections online grocery sales would exceed today's sales of the nation's largest supermarket chain, Kroger.

Pittsburgh – In a surprise announcement, GNC Holdings Inc. said that Joe Fortunato, chairman, president and CEO of the company, is stepping down. It named Michael G. Archbold, 53, CEO and CFO of The Talbots Inc., as CEO and member of the board, effective immediately. The change comes a week after GNC announced its second disappointing quarter this year.

Pittsburgh – Net income at GNC Holdings Inc. slipped during the second quarter of fiscal 2014, falling 2% to $69.89 billion from $71.69 billion in the prior year period. For second quarter 2014, the company reported consolidated revenue of $675.2 million, a decrease of 0.2% as compared to consolidated revenue of $676.3 million for second quarter 2013.

Pittsburgh — Michael M. Nuzzo, executive VP and CFO of GNC Holdings Inc., is resigning in order to accept an executive position at an unspecified private equity-funded consumer products company. Nuzzo will remain with GNC at least through July 18, 2014, which will include preparation of its second quarter 2014 earnings release and 10Q.

Pittsburgh – GNC Holdings Inc. is launching a new national brand campaign: "Beat Average." The campaign is designed to open a conversation with health-and-wellness consumers about their daily personal wellness goals and how GNC can be their ongoing partner and ally in beating average.