AQUAhydrate® Expands Distribution into GNC Stores across the U.S. this November

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of a summer rebranding campaign aimed at active, health-conscious Everyday Warriors, AQUAhydrate^® has gained national distribution at health and wellness retail giant GNC.  Already available in outlets such as Whole Foods, Vitamin World, Sprouts, Albertsons, and convenience channel outlets nationwide, AQUAhydrate continues to expand its retail footprint.  The enhanced water offers consumers Supercharged Hydration^™, a combination of key electrolytes and alkalinity that helps restore balance to the body so people can perform at the top of their game, in every aspect of their lives.

To be sold at approximately 3,000 GNC stores across the United States and online at www.gnc.com, AQUAhydrate will be initially available in 700 mL sport-top and 1 liter bottles.

"GNC and AQUAhydrate are the perfect match.  We already know the vast majority of our consumers are regular shoppers of GNC, and we are very pleased to be able to offer AQUAhydrate nationwide in all GNC corporate stores," stated John Cochran, CEO of AQUAhydrate.

"Proper hydration is often a forgotten key element for a healthy and athletic lifestyle, and AQUAhydrate offers a refreshing and effective solution.  We recognize the rising appeal of AQUAhydrate as a leading performance water and are pleased to offer it to GNC customers," Tom Dowd, who serves as Chief Merchandising Officer, Executive Vice President and General Manager of GNC Corp., GNC Holdings Inc. and General Nutrition Centers, Inc.

"I am excited to see AQUAhydrate partnering with GNC for nationwide distribution. AQUAhydrate will be a great complement to the Marked line of supplements as well as the wide array of performance products available at GNC," Mark Wahlberg, investor and board member of AQUAhydrate, Inc.

AQUAhydrate is distinguished by a proprietary combination of electrolytes and alkalinity.  Designed to help the body run cleaner and more efficiently, its high alkalinity in particular helps restore balance.  While many sports and vitamin drinks hover around a 4 pH (relatively acidic) and most bottled water between 7.0-7.5 (pH neutral), AQUAhydrate stands apart at 9+ pH (relatively alkaline).

About AQUAhydrate
AQUAhydrate, Inc. is a Southern California-based water company founded on innovation and performance.  Through a proprietary process, its water is purified to some of the most rigorous standards in the industry, raised to an alkaline pH of over 9, and supplemented with electrolytes and natural trace minerals.  It is this powerful synergy between electrolytes and alkalinity which fuels ultimate hydration, balance and performance.  AQUAhydrate has quickly become the water of choice for a myriad of health/fitness authorities, athletes, and celebrity endorsers.  AQUAhydrate is available through a variety of grocery, health and natural foods stores throughout the U.S. and at www.aquahydrate.com.

About GNC
GNC Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplement products, sports nutrition products and diet products, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GNC."

As of September 30, 2012, GNC has more than 7,900 locations, of which more than 6,000 retail locations are in the United States (including 935 franchise and 2,168 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in 55 countries (including distribution centers where retail sales are made).  The Company – which is dedicated to helping consumers Live Well – has a diversified, multi-channel business model and derives revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third party contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate partnerships.  GNC's broad and deep product mix, which is focused on high-margin, premium, value-added nutritional products, is sold under GNC proprietary brands, including Mega Men®, Ultra Mega®, GNC Total Lean, Pro Performance®, Pro Performance® AMP, Beyond Raw®, and under nationally recognized third party brands. 

For more than 75 years, GNC has been committed to bringing people superior GNC brand products using only the highest quality ingredients, manufactured under the strictest quality controls. Managing every stage of the process – from formulation to retailing – allows GNC to guarantee quality, purity and potency of GNC products.  www.GNC.com

SOURCE AQUAhydrate, Inc.