Rite Aid gives early start to Black Friday

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is pushing Black Friday up by a day.



The retail pharmacy chain said Monday that it would offer deals starting on Thanksgiving Day. Black Friday is the name popularly given to the day after Thanksgiving, when retailers across the country offer deep discounts for the holidays, often prompting shoppers to line up at the store doors early in the morning and rush in once they open.



Additional savings are being given to Rite Aid's 44 million Wellness+ loyalty program members, who will have "Three Days to Save" between Thanksgiving and Saturday on such holiday-related items as gift cards, wrapping paper, lights, small appliances, digital cameras and others. The chain also is issuing "Black Friday survival guides" to Wellness+ members and Rite Aid's Facebook fans, offering shopping "survival tips" and special prices on products.



"With 4,700 convenient locations and regular Thanksgiving hours, Rite Aid wants to help customers get a great start on their holiday shopping," Rite Aid SVP marketing John Learish said. "Our shoppers will also find great deals on some hot holiday gifts, including some fun finds they may not have expected to see at the neighborhood drug store."