UPDATE: Jefferies Initiates Coverage on Vitamin Shoppe on Anticipated Weak Sales Trends, Margin Pressure

In a report published Tuesday, Jefferies analyst Mark Wiltamuth initiated coverage on

with a Hold rating and $42.00 price target. In the report, Jefferies noted, “We see risk of weak same store sales trends persisting into 2H13, and margins will be under pressure from the start up of a new distribution center, acquisition integration costs and entry into the Canadian market. With competitor GNC likely to widen its same store sales lead over Vitamin Shoppe as it rolls out its new Gold Card member pricing, the disparity in results between these two could keep VSI shares under pressure.” Vitamin Shoppe closed on Monday at $43.39.