SAN ANTONIO, July 18, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Sweet Success brand of health and diet products made its return debut to the retail market last week on store shelves of the Walgreen Co., the world's largest drugstore chain.
The revolutionary Sweet Success Complete Fuel(tm), a product of Sweet Success Enterprises Inc. (Pink Sheets:SWTS) was distributed to Walgreen Co. stores in Las Vegas by Quality Distribution Services. Initial deliveries were made to stores on or near "The Strip" resort area with anticipated expanded distribution to other Walgreen and select retail stores throughout the Las Vegas region.
Initial shipments of Complete Fuel are also at or will shortly arrive at distribution points in Florida and Texas, top markets for the brand under Nestle's previous ownership.
"We've spent months developing the best-tasting cutting-edge nutrition and meal replacement drink formula available," said Bill Gallagher, president and CEO of Sweet Success Enterprises Inc. "We successfully mass produced it last month while lining up distribution and retail commitments in several key markets. Regardless, it was a thrill to walk into stores and see it for sale there on the shelves. As I've told members of the Sweet Success team, we've got the tiger by the tail."
"We believe initial placement of Sweet Success Complete Fuel at Walgreen stores in the Las Vegas market will be a positive catalyst in helping us reach our goal of national distribution by the first half of 2006 and positive cash flow soon after," Gallagher continued.
The Walgreen Co. has more than 4,800 store locations in 45 states and Puerto Rico and reported $21.25 billion in net sales for the first six months of the calendar year. Store pharmacies account for about 65 percent of total sales.
In Texas, which previously accounted for 25 percent of the Sweet Success(tm) brand sales, we expect to be on shelves at Whole Foods Markets and H-E-B Central Market, and are seeking availability at Wild Oats Market Inc, Rice Epicurean Markets, and Market Street.
San Antonio-based Sweet Success Enterprises Inc. acquired all rights to the Sweet Success brand in 2002 and has since redeveloped the best-tasting meal replacement beverage to tap into the rapidly growing demand for convenient and nutritious "superfoods" that can fit into a fitness or weight-loss plan. Our core Complete Fuel(tm) product comes in two flavors and is designed to satiate without appetite suppressants. It provides sufficient nutrition to act as a meal substitute with state-of-the-art ingredients like Aktivated Barley(tm) for endurance, ground flax to provide omega-3 fatty acids for heart health, and guarana for a natural energy boost. The suggested retail price is $2.79 per 11 oz. Tetra Pack container.
Under Nestle, the Sweet Success(tm) brand gained 18 percent of the meal replacement market, number two in the category, and achieved more than $240 million in total annual retail sales. Company research shows 91 percent of people who consume meal replacement products are familiar with the brand.
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