Rite Aid reports slight October sales uptick in wake of Walgreens deal

CAMP HILL, Pa. - Two days following the announcement that Rite Aid would be acquired by Chicago-based Walgreens, Rite Aid Thursday morning reported a 1% increase in same-store sales for the four weeks ended Oct. 24. 

 

October front-end same-store sales decreased 0.5%. Pharmacy same-store sales, which included an approximate 249 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, increased 1.7%. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 0.2% over the prior-year period.

 

Total drug store sales for the four-week period increased 1.4% to $2.1 billion as compared to the same period last year. Prescription sales accounted for 70.7% of drug store sales, and third party prescription sales represented 97.9% of pharmacy sales.

 

Same-store sales for the 34-week period ended Oct. 24, 2015 increased 2.2% over the prior-year period. Front-end same-store sales increased 0.3% while pharmacy same-store sales increased 3%. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 0.6% over the prior-year period.

 

Total drug store sales for the 34 weeks ended Oct. 24, 2015 increased 2.2% with sales of $17.4 billion. Prescription sales represented 69.5% of total drug store sales, and third party prescription sales represented 97.8% of pharmacy sales.