GNC started its selling its products in Singapore exclusively via Watsons since last October. The duo also introduced a GNC store-within-store concept in Watsons flagship outlet at Ngee Ann City earlier in January this year.
“Following the launch of GNC’s first store-within-a-store at Watsons’s flagship Ngee Ann City location in January 2025, the concept has since expanded,” the company said on September 12.
“GNC products are now available across all Watsons stores in Singapore, offering customers convenient access to trusted, science-backed wellness solutions.”
GNC’s partnership with Watsons came after a three-year hiatus in the Singapore market.
Prior to that, GNC’s products were sold in Singapore via a franchisee model with ONI Global Pte Ltd.
GNC: “GNC and LAC are entirely separate”
At the same time, GNC also said in its latest release on September 12 that it was not affiliated with LAC or Leader in Antioxidative Control - a health supplement brand and retail chain by Singapore-based V3 Brands.
V3 Brands is a part of V3 Group led by Founder and Executive Chairman Ron Sim Chye Hock. Aside from LAC, other V3 Brands include OSIM and TWG Tea which were known for being affiliated with ONI Global Pte Ltd.
According to GNC, the issue with LAC is that its stores across Singapore were essentially novated and opened on the premises that GNC used to operate in.
GNC has called the 54 LAC stores across Singapore “inappropriately novated and switched.”
“GNC and LAC are entirely separate and unrelated entities and brands. Consumers should only purchase GNC products from Watsons stores and authorized GNC platforms,” said GNC.
Both GNC and ONI Global have been embroiled in a legal battle in recent years, with the former claiming that the latter had breached franchise agreements.
“In 2024, an International Centre for Dispute Resolution Tribunal awarded GNC US$39.39 million in net damages against ONI Global Pte. Ltd. and LAC Global (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (collectively, “ONI/LAC Global”) for breaching their franchise agreements with GNC," said GNC.
Regarding the LAC stores, GNC said the Tribunal also ordered ONI/LAC Global to pay a total of approximately US$ 3.9 million in legal and administrative fees to GNC.
“The Tribunal also ordered ONI/LAC Global to assign the leases to 54 former GNC stores that had been inappropriately novated and switched to LAC stores, and ordered ONI/LAC Global to pay a total of approximately US$ 3.9 million in legal and administrative fees to GNC,” GNC stated.
“GNC has commenced proceedings before the Singapore International Commercial Court to recognize and enforce the award, which are currently pending final determination (Case No. SIC/OA 9/2025).”
When contacted by NutraIngredients, LAC declined to comment as the case is now under Singapore’s jurisdiction.
