Walmart tries weight loss

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one third of U.S Adults, that’s 35.7%, are obese.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one third of U.S Adults, that’s 35.7%, are obese. And as Americans continue to battle weight, the weight loss market continues to expand. From foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals and supplements, clinics, surgeons, personal trainers, group and individual nutritional and behavioral modification programs, and more, competition in this market is huge. And now it’s getting even bigger. Walmart, the nation’s #1 grocer and #3 retail pharmacy operator, recently entered the weight loss arena by selling 5-Day Nutrisystem Jumpstart Your Weight Loss kits. According to a Packaged Facts report cited by Ad Age: Nutrisystem’s sales have fallen by 42% since 2008. Hoping to boost sales, Nutrisystem under a fairly new CEO, N has given an exclusive to the biggest partner of all. It is selling the Jumpstart kit in nearly 2,000 Walmart stores for $44.98, and a separate 5-Day Nutrisystem kit “designed for people losing weight to help manage their diabetes” in the pharmacy section of select stores. While we can’t comment on the success of these kits, but with 15 entrees (and 5 desserts) averaging out to price of just $3 each, we can certainly see why it could appeal to shoppers. More importantly for Walmart, we at The Lempert Report believe this is their first step in seeking a bigger bite of the weight-loss market. It likely won’t be long before the retail giant ventures further into the national and global weight-loss markets. Watch this space!