GNC to close up to 900 stores, up to half of mall locations

The Pittsburgh headquartered vitamin and supplement store GNC has announced it will close up to 900 stores in mall locations.

GNC told Channel 11 they’re optimizing their portfolio and working with shoppers to improve convenience in the heads ahead.

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Consumer experts believe the closures are based on an online shopping boom—most folks we spoke with now have a preference to just browse and buy from the luxury of their home.

“See a lot of stuff is starting to go on websites and stuff like that, and a lot of people might figure, OK, since everything is online they can stay at home and do it online and get it ordered and get it shipped to their house,” Pittsburgh resident Antwan Barnes said.

“I really feel bad about that. We really do feel bad about that,” Seven Fields resident Kathryn Daugherty-Penn said.

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The company's chief financial officer said it would likely be cutting the number of stores in malls by half.

GNC has about 4,100 locations in the U.S.

Company records show that nearly 200 stores have already closed during the first six months of 2019.

CNN has contributed to this report. 

Cox Media Group