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