Rite Aid posts positive monthly results

CAMP HILL, Pa. Rite Aid on Thursday posted a same-store sales increase of 0.5 percent for the four weeks ended April 26, representing a pharmacy same-store sales lift of 1.8 percent and a 1.7 percent drop in front-end comparable-store results—reflecting the shift of Easter from April to March this year.

Front-end same store sales for the combined March and April sales periods increased 1.9 percent, Rite Aid stated.

The same-store sales results do not yet include last year’s acquired Brooks/Eckerd stores.

Total drug store sales for the four-week period (including the Brooks/Eckerd store base) increased 46.9 percent to $2 billion. Prescription revenue accounted for 68.3 percent of drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue represented 96.2 percent of pharmacy sales.

Year-to-date same-store sales for the eight-week period increased 1.6 percent, consisting of a 1.4 percent lift in pharmacy same-store sales and a 1.9 percent increase in front-end same store sales.

Total drug store sales for the eight-week period 2008 increased 48.8 percent to $4 billion.