Pure Weight Loss Is Going Out Of Business

Philadelphia Inquirer:

In the competitive world of dieting, 1 of 3 Horsham-based weight-loss companies has taken an abrupt, mysterious fall.

The demise of Pure Weight Loss Inc. follows a split 3 years ago between 2 key business partners and a name change last summer. Pure Weight Loss was once part of LA Weight Loss Centers Inc., which still operates from the same office park.

In a terse statement, Pure Weight Loss said it would close Jan. 4 after 18 years because of ‘fierce competition from the Internet; the introduction of Alli, the over-the-counter weight-loss pill, and other commercial diet programs; combined with a difficult economic environment.’

Pure Weight Loss, LA Weight Loss and NutriSystem Inc. all have headquarters in Horsham. LA Weight Loss is still in business, as is the publicly held NutriSystem.

An outside public relations firm hired to represent Pure Weight Loss said Vahan Karian, chairman and chief executive officer of the company, would not speak to the media. A call to the company’s attorney was not returned. An employee of the public relations firm said she could not say how many diet centers and employees were affected by the closure.

In a separate statement, the company told customers to pick up by Jan. 4 any products they have ordered.