Lighting Science Group Helps GNC Live Well With Less Energy by Installing Ultra-Efficient LED Bulbs

SATELLITE BEACH, Fla., Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For General Nutrition Centers (GNC) a commitment to "Live Well" also means living smarter, spurring the company's decision to install Lighting Science Group's (OTCBB: LSCG) high-performance and ultra-efficient LED bulbs at its corporate owned locations across the country. The ENERGY STAR® qualified LED bulbs now lighting GNC retail display shelves are approximately 80% more efficient than the halogen bulbs they replace, are fully dimmable and have approximately 50% more lumens (light output) than competing products.

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"As the world's largest company of our kind, devoted exclusively to helping customers improve the quality of their lives, it was only natural for us to choose Lighting Science Group, America's premier LED lighting company, to brighten our clients' shopping experiences," said Tom Dowd, GNC's Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer and General Manager. "Consistent with GNC's values, LED lighting isn't only easier on the wallet and better for the planet; it's also beneficial to your well-being. When considering lighting features that may affect general health, such as flicker, hum, burnout, heat and toxic materials, LEDs come out ahead of the incandescent, halogen and fluorescent fixtures, every time."

Not only will each upgraded GNC store see a significant reduction in lighting energy costs as a result of the installation of Lighting Science Group's LED bulbs, but the stores will also save money on maintenance and cooling costs, since the company's bulbs will last 50,000 hours and give off very little heat unlike the halogen bulbs that they replace.  As such, GNC estimates that the lighting upgrade will pay for itself in one to two years—with energy and maintenance savings continuing to shave costs from the retail chain's bottom line for many years thereafter.

"Lighting is the low-hanging fruit in reducing energy consumption: it accounts for 22% of the United States' energy use and up to 60% of the power used in commercial buildings," said Jim Haworth, chairman and chief executive officer of Lighting Science Group. "With rising energy costs nationwide, companies like GNC are looking for ways to save energy—our ENERGY STAR approved LED bulbs offer a rapid and practical path for businesses to significantly reduce their lighting maintenance, replacement and energy costs—making them a winning energy solution."

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 June 30, 2011, GNC has more than 7,400 locations, of which more than 5,700 retail locations are in the United States (including 906 franchise and 2,075 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in 50 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.  Our 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 Wellbeing, Pro Performance and Longevity Factors, and under nationally recognized third party brands.  For more information, visit http://www.gnc.com.

About Lighting Science Group

Lighting Science Group Corporation (OTCBB: LSCG) designs, develops, manufactures and markets LED lighting solutions that are environmentally friendlier and more energy efficient than traditional lighting products.  Lighting Science Group offers retrofit LED lamps in form factors that match the form factor of traditional lamps or bulbs and LED luminaires for a range of applications including public and private infrastructure for both indoor and outdoor applications.  Lighting Science Group's Advanced Projects Group business unit designs, develops and manufactures custom LED lighting solutions for architectural and artistic projects.  Lighting Science Group is headquartered in Satellite Beach, Florida; the Company's European operations are based in Middelburg, The Netherlands; and, the Company has a sales office in Sydney, Australia.  Lighting Science Group employs approximately 600 workers building lighting products from domestic and imported parts. Lighting Science Group is a Pegasus Capital Advisors portfolio company. More information about Lighting Science Group is available at www.lsgc.com.

Forward Looking Statement. Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the performance of LSG and its products and/or use terminology such as "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "plan," "project," "seek," "target" and variations of such words and similar expressions.  Such statements reflect the current view of LSG with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.   Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements.  In evaluating these statements, you should carefully review the risk factors detailed under "Risk Factors" in our most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.  

SOURCE Lighting Science Group Corporation