Rite Aid's comps grow in July

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid’s same-store sales increased by 1.9% in July, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

During the four-week period ended July 23, comp sales jumped 3.1% on the front end and 1.4% in the pharmacy, including a 151 basis point reduction resulting from introduction of new generic drugs. Prescription counts decreased by 0.4%. Total sales during the four-week period were about $1.92 billion, a 1.6% increase over July 2010.

For the year so far, comp sales increased 1.2% over the first 21 weeks of 2010, including a 0.9% increase on the front end and a 1.3% increase in the pharmacy. Total sales were $10.21 billion, a 0.5% increase over the same period in 2010, when sales were $10.2 billion. As of July 23, the company operated 4,702 stores.