RITE AID

FLINT, Mich. — Specialty pharmacy Senderra Rx has hired a former executive at Diplomat, Rite Aid and Perry Drug Store as its EVP strategic initiatives.

The Richardson, Texas-based company announced Thursday the hiring of Stephen Lund, who immediately before worked as a specialty pharmacy industry consultant.

CAMP HILL, Pa. – Rite Aid appears to be transitioning from a turnaround phase to one in which it's looking more toward future opportunities, company executives suggested in a conference call Thursday morning when announcing the chain's third quarter 2014 results.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — The long-standing partnership between Rite Aid and nutritional products retailer GNC is being extended through the end of the decade, Rite Aid said Thursday.

Rite Aid said the partnership, which started in 1998, has been extended through 2019. The extension allows Rite Aid to add at least 300 GNC LiveWell store-within-a-store locations over the next five years. Currently, there are more than 2,200 such locations throughout the Rite Aid chain.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales increased by 2.8% in November, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The increase included a 0.4% increase in front-end same-store sales and a 3.9% increase in pharmacy same-store sales, offset by 0.81% due to new generic drugs, which can reduce sales because of their lower price, but are good for a pharmacy retailer's margins. Same-store scripts increased by 0.1%.

Total sales for November were $2.434 billion, a 1.6% increase compared with the same period last year.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has appointed healthcare executive Myrtle Potter to its board of directors, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

Potter is currently CEO of Myrtle Potter & Co., a Silicon Valley-based consulting firm focused on life sciences and health care, as well as the head of consumer healthcare content company Myrtle Potter Media. She previous served as president of commercial operations and COO at Genentech and has worked at companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck.

NEW YORK — The 15th annual Industry Issues Summit, presented by The Drug Store News Group on Dec. 3, proved to be a powerful, all-star lineup as some of the top minds in pharmacy retailing gathered for a candid discussion of the top issues and trends impacting the industry. On top of that, brand-building genius and TV celebrity Daymond John of ABC’s “Shark Tank” delivered an exclusive lunchtime keynote.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering a $5 discount on flu shots as a way to encourage more people to protect themselves, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Rite Aid said that in recognition of National Influenza Vaccination Week, which runs between Dec. 8 and Dec. 14, it would offer flu shots at its stores for $24.99. NIVW started in 2005 as a national campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends annual flu shots for everyone aged 6 months and older.

Rite Aid announced Monday the promotion of Karen Staniforth to group VP pharmacy initiatives and clinical services from her current position of VP pharmacy for the chain's mid-Atlantic division. In her new position, Staniforth will oversee the company's strategy around the Wellness Ambassadors, specially trained staff who walk the aisles of the stores and provide information on health and wellness products and programs, as well as serve as a "bridge" between the front end and the pharmacy.