Pierpoint-Martin Launches GNC E-mail Campaign

Business Editors

SANTA ANA, Calif.‑‑July. 15, 2002‑‑Premier e‑commerce outsource solution provider Pierpoint‑Martin (www.pierpoint‑martin.com) today announced the launch of a major new e-mail campaign for General Nutrition Corporation=s GNCGear.com e-commerce site.

The GNCGear.com site--which is operated by Pierpoint-Martin for GNC--offers consumers a wide selection of fitness-related products from clothing to equipment, many of which are difficult to find in traditional retail outlets.

AConsumers know and trust the GNC brand as a source for nutritional supplements, A says Pierpoint-Martin CEO David Cracas. AThrough our e-mail campaign, we want to educate consumers that GNC--and specifically GNCGear.com--is now the source for all their fitness product needs.@

The e-mail message--which features the tag line AWe=ve got all the fitness stuff you need@--will be sent to over 5 million people who have expressed an interest in receiving e-mail information about health and fitness products.

E-mail campaign management is just one of the many e-commerce-related services that Pierpoint-Martin provides for its partners like GNC. Pierpoint-Martin=s experience in online retailing combined with its cutting-edge e-commerce technology, allow it to quickly and efficiently build and operate high-value e-commerce sites for its partners.

"GNC is a terrific company with a great brand name," said Cracas. "We are very pleased to be able to use our infrastructure to enhance their online presence and revenue.@

About Pierpoint‑Martin

Pierpoint‑Martin (www.pierpoint‑martin.com) is the premier e‑commerce outsource solution provider. Pierpoint-Martin provides e-commerce, fulfillment, and customer care services for a variety of partners including General Nutrition Centers, Women=s Fitness International magazine, and HotSkins clothing. Pierpoint‑Martin runs e‑commerce operations, including site design, merchandising, inventory, order fulfillment, and customer service for major consumer product manufacturers, retailers, and media companies under exclusive, long‑term agreements.

About General Nutrition Corp.

General Nutrition Companies Inc. (GNC), based in Pittsburgh, is the largest nationwide specialty retailer of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements, sports nutrition as well as personal care and related products. GNC operates more than 5,300 retail outlets throughout the United States, including 1,360 domestic franchise locations and 26 foreign markets, including Canada and Mexico. GNC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Numico N.V., a worldwide market leader in specialized nutrition that includes infant and clinical nutrition and nutritional supplements.

CONTACT: Pierpoint‑Martin

Alison Winn, 714/557-5042