October 2, 2014

Rite Aid reported $2 billion in sales for the four weeks ended September 27, representing a 4.5% increase over the comparable yer-ago period.

Same-store sales increased 5.1% over the prior-year period, including a 2.3% lift in front-end same-store sales and growth of 6.3% in pharmacy and comparable sales.  Pharmacy same-store  sales included an approximate 225 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions.  Prescription count at comparable stores increased 4.4% over the prior-year period.

Prescription sales accounted for 69.5% of drug store sales, and third party prescription sales represented 97.6% of pharmacy sales.

Year-to-date, same-store sales for the 30 week period ended September 27 increased 3.8% over the prior-year period.  Front-end same-store sales increased 0.8% while pharmacy same-store sales increased 5.2%.  Prescription count at comparable stores increased 3.2% over the prior-year period.

Total drug store sales for the 30 weeks ended September 27 increased 3.3% with sales of $14.9 billion.  Prescription sales represented 68.7% of total drug store sales.

Source: Retailing Today