NBTY Logs Fy07 Sales Growth, Vitamin World Rebounds in 4Q

BOHEMIA, N.Y.For its fourth quarter (4Q), NBTY (NASDAQ:NTY) released preliminary results showing increased sales in all of its divisions, including European sales, except for direct response, which continues to slow. Overall, revenues for the quarter climbed 6 percent to $496 million, boosted by 9 percent gains in both its wholesale/U.S. nutrition and European retail segments. Puritans Pride/direct remained slow, dropping 10 percent, but North American retail sales rebounded by 2 percent in 4Q. Despite the late gains, North American retail sales still ended up down 5 percent for the fiscal year 2007 (FY07); same store sales increased 4 percent for the month of September, 5 percent for 4Q and 1 percent for FY07. Total net sales for FY07 were up 7 percent to $2.02 billion, boosted by 10 percent gains in both the wholesale/U.S. nutrition and European retail segments. Direct response was down 1 percent for the year.