Dubai, February 16, 2008: Driven by the buoyant market trends in the wellness domain, VLCC - the region's premier preventive healthcare and beauty care brand - announced plans to increase the number of centres in Middle East to 35 by 2010 compared to the originally-planned 28. The company has committed over AED 200 million to fund the expansion in the region.

An announcement to this effect was made at the inauguration of VLCC's seventh centre in the UAE. The new centre, at Al Qusais in Dubai, was inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Juma Al Maktoum. Also present on the occasion were Indian Consul General, Venu Rajamony, Ms. Vandana Luthra, Founder & Mentor, VLCC, Mr. Mukesh Luthra, Chairman & Managing Director, VLCC Group and special invitees.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Vandana Luthra, Founder & Mentor, VLCC, said: "We are extremely pleased to announce the opening of our new centre at Al Qusais. VLCC's distinct offering has been well received in the UAE. This has prompted us to increase the pace of our proposed roll-out in the region."

Detailing the company's growth plans for the region, Mr. Mukesh Luthra, Chairman & Managing Director, VLCC Group said, "The opening of this centre is part of VLCC's aggressive AED 200 million roll-out in the Middle East. In the next 6 months, apart from additional centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the company will have operating centres is Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The first centre in Muscat (Oman) is scheduled to open in March 2008."

He added that VLCC, currently an AED 400 million group, is also planning an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2009. While the details of the IPO will be announced later in the year, the capital raised would be used mainly to fund VLCC's growth plans in the Middle East and beyond and further expansion in its three lines of business - slimming & beauty services, manufacturing and retailing of personal care products and beauty and nutrition education & training services.

The new centre at Al Qusais will offer VLCC's signature session-based Slimming Services including Weight Loss, Body Therapies, Body Firming, Body Contouring, Gel Therapy and other Weight Maintenance and Beauty programmes.

Backed by 18 years of experience in weight loss management and holistic slimming and beauty techniques, the company's slimming programmes are strictly based on scientific principles and are customized as per the individual's needs, medical status and body type. It focuses on long-term solutions that address the core of the problem rather than just its outward manifestations. The slimming programmes are strictly based on scientific principles and do not involve crash diets, artificial food packets, appetite suppressants, strenuous exercises, medication or invasive procedures.

Over the years, VLCC has carved a distinct niche for itself in the 'wellness' domain which includes slimming, beauty, fitness, personal care products and education and training institutes. In a nutshell, it has revolutionized the concept of beauty and fitness with its 'Look Good Feel Great' mantra.

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About VLCC:
Starting as a single centre in New Delhi in 1989, VLCC is today India's leading chain of health, beauty and fitness centres to become an over AED 400 million business. Widely recognized for its scientific weight loss solutions and therapeutic beauty approach, it offers services over a quarter million square feet of retail space across over 130 centres in 65 cities across India and the UAE.

Established as the leader in the Indian beauty, health and fitness industry, VLCC is today regarded as an authority in the business of wellness. Having pioneered the concept of complete well-being, both inside and outside, VLCC has further integrated into product and brand extensions -- VLCC Personal Care range of herbal skin-, hair- and body-care products, VLCC Nail Studio and Spa, VLCC Workout Factory and VLCC Institute. The VLCC Institute of Beauty & Health Management currently has 22 campuses across 17 cities in India with student strength of over 4500.

For further information, please contact:
VLCC centres in UAE:
12 and 13, Al Qusais building, Near Spinneys, Al Qusais, Dubai +971-4-2678611

Spinneys next to BurJuman Centre, Dubai: +971-4-3599552, +971-4-3599577

Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai +971-4-3218008

Al Wasl, Jumeirah, Dubai: +971-4-3429986, +971-4-3441128

Mirdiff, Uptown Mirdiff Mall, Dubai: +971-4-2884880

Abu Dhabi, Khalidiya Junction, Abu Dhabi: +971-2-6814771

Crescent Tower, Buhaira Corniche, Sharjah: +971-6-5562286

Toll Free: 800-VLCC (800-8522)

© Press Release 2008