Low flu incidence a drag on February sales at Rite Aid, but comparable sales still up 1.5%

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Thursday posted a 1.5% increase in same-store sales for the five weeks ended March 1. February front-end same-store sales decreased 1.8%, of which 0.5% was attributable to a decrease in sales of flu-related over-the-counter products. Pharmacy same-store sales, which included an approximate 138 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, increased 3.1%. 

For the 13-week quarter, Rite Aid recorded a same-store sales increase of 2.1%. Front-end same-store sales decreased 0.7% while pharmacy same-store sales increased 3.5%. Prescription count at comparable stores decreased 1.8% over the prior-year period.

For the five-week period prescription count at comparable stores decreased 1.4% over the prior-year period, of which 1.3% was attributable to a decrease in flu-related prescriptions.

Total drug store sales for the five-week period increased 2.4% to $2.5 billion. Prescription sales accounted for 69.1% of drug store sales, and third party prescription sales represented 97.3% of pharmacy sales.

Total drug store sales for the 13 weeks ended March 1, 2014 increased 2.2% with sales of $6.6 billion. Prescription sales represented 67.5% of total drug store sales, and third party prescription sales represented 97.1% of pharmacy sales.

Year-to-date Rite Aid has generated $25.4 billion in sales, representing a 0.5% increase.