Rite Aid to close Ga. distribution center

CAMP HILL, Pa. Rite Aid on Thursday announced that it is closing its distribution center in Newnan, Ga. in late September.

“We have an excellent and dedicated workforce at the distribution center in Newnan, and they did an outstanding job during the integration of the Brooks/Eckerd drug store chain into Rite Aid,” stated Wilson Lester, Jr., Rite Aid SVP supply chain.  “This closing has no reflection on them or the quality of their work, and we will do everything we can to assist them with finding new positions.”

Rite Aid acquired the Newnan facility in June 2007 with its purchase of approximately 1,800 Brooks Eckerd stores and six distribution centers. The company reported at the time of the acquisition that once all of the Brooks/Eckerd stores were integrated into Rite Aid, it would look for opportunities to consolidate the distribution activities of its 14 distribution centers.  The decision to close the Newnan facility is also part of Rite Aid's initiative to improve operational efficiency throughout the company.

The 194 stores served by the Newnan distribution center will be served by other Rite Aid distribution centers.