Rite Aid December sales flat at $2.2 billion

CAMP HILL, Pa. - Rite Aid last week reported a same-store sales decrease of 0.1% for the four weeks ended Dec. 26. December front-end same store sales increased 0.8% while pharmacy same-store sales, which included an approximate 207 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, decreased 0.6%. 

 

Despite the report of relatively flat sales, Rite Aid stocks were up on Dec. 31, reaching a peak of $7.89 for the day. Today, the stock is trading at $7.86, up slightly from the day's open of $7.84. 

 

Prescription count at comparable stores decreased 0.4% over the prior-year period. 

 

Total drug store sales for the four-week period were flat with sales of $2.2 billion. Prescription sales accounted for 64.6% of drug store sales, and third party prescription sales represented 98% of pharmacy sales. 

 

Same-store sales for the 43-week period ended Dec. 26, 2015 increased 1.7% over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales increased 0.4% while pharmacy same-store sales increased 2.3%. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 0.5% over the prior-year period. 

 

Total drug store sales for the 43 weeks ended Dec. 26, 2015 increased 1.6% with sales of $22.1 billion. Prescription sales represented 69% of total drug store sales, and third party prescription sales represented 97.8% of pharmacy sales.