Weight-Loss Plans Seeing Lean Times

Jenny Craig diet plans are being cast aside by Americans more concerned about losing their job than shedding pounds. Jenny Craig, which was one of Nestle SA’s fastest-growing brands in the first months of 2008, slowed in the second half of the year and made a “sluggish” start to 2009. Paying to diet has become one of the first things consumers cut as they struggle to pay bills. Weight Watchers International Inc. shares fell 35% last year, while NutriSystem Inc. declined 46%. Jenny Craig sales excluding acquisitions, divestments and currencies slowed after surging at rates of 30% to 40% in the first few months of 2008.
—Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 2/22/09