GNC Goes Bankrupt, Closing 2 RI Locations

WOONSOCKET, RI — GNC has filed for bankruptcy and will close perhaps more than 1,000 locations, including at least two in Rhode Island.

The vitamin and supplement chain is closing locations at malls and shopping centers in North Kingstown and Woonsocket.

GNC has some 5,800 retail stores across America. It said up to 20 percent of those stores — or 1,200 — could close under its restructuring.

GNC, like many struggling brick-and-mortar retailers, saw their decline in sales rapidly accelerate during the coronavirus pandemic.