Rite Aid comps decrease 3.6% as same-store prescription count increases 0.3%

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales for February 2013 decreased by 3.6% over the previous year, including a 1.3% decrease in front-end same-store sales and a 4.7% decrease in pharmacy same-store sales, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Front-end comps attributable to flu-related OTC products were flat, while pharmacy comps included a negative effect of 695 basis points from new generic introductions. Same-store prescription count increased 0.3%, including a 0.1% decrease attributable to flu shots and prescription flu drugs.

Total sales for the 4,623-store chain were $2.457 billion, a 3.7% decrease from last February's $2.551 billion.

For the 13 weeks ended Saturday, comps were 2% lower, including a 0.3% decrease in front-end comps and a 3.1% decrease in pharmacy comps; same-store prescription count increased by 3%. Total sales decreased by 2.4%, to $6.425 billion. The chain said this was its ninth consecutive quarter of increases in prescription count and 10th consecutive quarter of improved or flat front-end comps.

For the 52 weeks that ended Saturday, comps decreased by 0.3%, including a 1.4% increase in front-end comps and a 1% decrease in pharmacy comps. Total sales for the period were $25.284 billion, a 0.9% decrease from the same period last year.