Nutritional specialist GNC is to expand outside the US, with plans for more than 200 new international stores, chief executive Joe Fortunato told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The openings include new market entries in Russia, Brazil and the EU.

GNC, which already operates about 2,500 international stores, also plans 160 new stores in the US, where it has 5,000 shops. The retailer is picking up the pace of openings and plans to add 600 to 700 in the next four years compared with 120 in 2011. It has attracted customers by rebranding itself as a fitness-lifestyle company rather than simply a seller of vitamins, Fortunato said.

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