Rite Aid, GNC extend partnership through 2019, allowing at least 300 new 'store-within-a-store' locations over five years

CAMP HILL, Pa. — The long-standing partnership between Rite Aid and nutritional products retailer GNC is being extended through the end of the decade, Rite Aid said Thursday.

Rite Aid said the partnership, which started in 1998, has been extended through 2019. The extension allows Rite Aid to add at least 300 GNC LiveWell store-within-a-store locations over the next five years. Currently, there are more than 2,200 such locations throughout the Rite Aid chain.

"Rite aid's strategic partnership with GNC is a point of differentiation, both in the chain drug industry and with our customers," Rite Aid president and COO Ken Martindale said. "With the extension of our retail agreement with GNC, we will be able to continue bringing our customers the outstanding lineup of highly popular GNC products they trust while delivering in our mission of helping our customers meet their unique health and wellness needs."

Tom Dowd, EVP, general manager and chief merchandising officer of Pittsburgh-based GNC, called the partnership an important part of his company's growth strategy.

"As a leading global specialty retailer of vitamins, minerals and herbal supplement products, sports nutrition products and diet products, GNC shares Rite Aid's commitment to improving the health and wellness of its customers," Dowd said. "We look forward to working together to bring our successful store-within-a-store to more Rite Aid pharmacies over the next five years, making it easier than ever for people to live well."