Weight-management software

Drug Store News,  March 23, 2003  

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BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- In a move that should help strengthen its appeal to its core shoppers and enhance its image as a health care provider, Wal-Mart is pioneering the distribution of a new product that is--so far--in a category by itself.

The product is BalanceLog, a new software program that helps consumers manage weight and nutrition. It was developed by Golden, Colo.-based HealtheTech, a medical devices and software maker. Wal-Mart was the first mass market retailer to stock it, putting it on pallet displays in January at the peak of weight-loss season. The initial merchandising presentation was near pharmacies in a select number of Wal-Mart's Sam's Club stores.

Now Wal-Mart is introducing BalanceLog to customers who shop Wal-Mart stores starting with an 11-state rollout this month.

BalanceLog software helps people create personalized weight and nutrition management programs based on their individual metabolism. It uses a database that contains more than 4,000 foods, including many brand-name products and foods from national restaurants.

The program lets users track the calories, protein, carbohydrates, saturate fat cholesterol, fiber, sodium and nutrients they consume, as well as the calories their bodies burn each day.

Its retail price on HealtheTech's Web site, healtheteche.com, is $69, but true to the Wal-Mart everyday value positioning, Sam's sold it for $44.85.

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