Rite Aid's August same-store sales drop

CAMP HILL, Pa. Rite Aid posted a same-store sales decline of 1% for the five weeks ended Aug. 28, the pharmacy retailer announced Thursday. August front-end same-store sales decreased 0.9%, while pharmacy same-store sales, which included an approximate 225 basis point negative impact from new generic introductions, declined 1%. Prescriptions filled at comparable stores decreased 1.2% over the prior-year period.

Total drug store sales for the five-week period decreased 2.2% to $2.3 billion. Prescription revenue accounted for 68.5% of drug store sales, and third-party prescription revenue represented 96.2% of pharmacy sales.

Meanwhile, same-store sales for the 13-week quarter ended Aug. 28 decreased 1.5% over the prior-year period. Front-end same-store sales were down 0.9%, while same-store pharmacy sales decreased 1.8%. Prescriptions filled at comparable stores decreased 2.1% over the prior-year period.

Total drug store sales for the 13-week second quarter decreased 2.5% to $6.1 billion. Prescription revenue represented 68.1% of total drug store sales, and third-party prescription revenue was 96.1% of pharmacy sales.