RITE AID

PITTSBURGH — GNC is ready to pull the trigger on a long-anticipated initial public offering this Friday, according to several published reports.

It’ll be the third bite of the IPO apple for the Pittsburgh-based specialty chain. But if any time is a right time, that time is now, the company suggested in its prospectus, pointing to the graying of the baby boomer, coupled with increased pursuit of healthier lifestyles, which makes for a strong investment proposition for an already-established specialty channel retailer.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — A decision by the Food and Drug Administration to lower the age at which patients can receive a vaccine for shingles opens the door for pharmacists to administer it to more patients.

Rite Aid said Tuesday that pharmacists at more than 2,100 of its stores now could vaccinate patients ages 50 years and older with Merck’s Zostavax (zoster vaccine live) thanks to the FDA’s approval of the vaccination for patients in that age group. Previously, it was only approved for patients ages 60 years and older.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — In a sneeze heard around the world, allergy season is afoot, but the country’s retail pharmacies are on call to help the estimated 60 million Americans whose sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and congestion will drive them to wit’s end this year.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — It’s that time of year once again. Come April 30, more than 2,000 of today’s leading retail executives from food, drug and mass, and their supply partners, will convene at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz., to gain new insights into today’s changing marketplace and explore future opportunities.

NEW YORK — Bainbridge & Knight's Lichi Super Fruit Diet supplement has made its way to CVS/pharmacy.

The company said its new distribution deal signals major growth for the product, which will be rolled out in all of CVS' 7,000-plus locations.

Currently sold at Rite Aid, GNC, Duane Reade, A&P, ShopRite, Weis Markets, Harmon, Pathmark, Kings Supermarket and Circle K, as well as on Walgreens.com, for $29.99, Lichi Super Fruit Diet comes with 90 soft gels in a bottle for a 30-day supply.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid’s philanthropic arm is donating to relief efforts in Japan.

The Rite Aid Foundation announced Wednesday that it was donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross' Japan earthquake fund.

“Our hearts go out to the victims, families and communities affected by this devastating tragedy,” Rite Aid Foundation president Mary Sammons said. “We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross and assist them in their mission of helping the people of Japan in their time of need.”

NEW YORK — Hitting select mass retail locations in April is the new FX Wild Harvest Hydra Silk collection, which contains a blend of natural, wild ingredients harvested from different regions of the world to make hair shiny, thicker and fuller.

The new FX Wild Harvest Hydra Silk collection includes:

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is working with Sharps Compliance to help customers dispose of unused medications, the retailer said Monday.

Customers can buy a Sharps Compliance medication-disposal envelope at a Rite Aid store for $3.99, place unused prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs inside and then send it via the U.S. Postal Service to the incinerator.