RITE AID

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Retailers have always been about enhancing the shopping experience, but there are two factors this year that really should underscore the importance in that customer focus. Differentiating a retail shopping trip by experience is a lot friendlier to the margins because a shopper willing to trade on shopping experience also is willing to spend a little more.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — A common feature in movies from the mid-20th century is the automat, a place where customers could plunk in a few coins and retrieve such pre-made food items as sandwiches and desserts.

(THE NEWS: Kroger expands reach to Ohio Northern campus with kiosk test. For the full story, click here.)

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering $481 million in eight-year senior notes to refinance debt that is scheduled to be due in three years, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

Rite Aid said it would use money from the offering to pay interest and other expenses related to a tender offer announced Tuesday for all outstanding 8.625% senior notes due 2015. The price includes the $459 million principal plus a 2.625% premium. The new notes are being offered at a 9.25% interest rate.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — A retail pharmacy chain's efforts to immunize customers have won recognition from an organization of the country's pharmacists.

Rite Aid won the American Pharmacists Association's Immunization Champion Award in the national corporation and institution category, the chain said Thursday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's comps increased 2.2% for the month of January, compared with January 2011, the company said Thursday.

Announcing results of the four-week period that ended Saturday, the retail pharmacy chain said January front-end comps increased 2.7%, while pharmacy comps increased 2.1%, including a negative effect of 230 basis points from new generic introductions. Prescription count at comparable stores increased by 1.6%.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is marking American Heart Month with a campaign that offers blood-pressure screenings, online tools and hearth health guides for free, the company said Wednesday.

Through Feb. 29, customers can buy a paper red dress for $1 that they can sign, dedicate and pin to store walls to help promote awareness of women's heart health.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is stocking up on items related to Valentine's Day to help customers celebrate the holiday, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

NEW YORK — Jane Carter Solution has announced the newest addition to its line of all-natural hair care products — the Natural & Curly Hair Essentials kit.

The Jane Carter Solution Natural & Curly Hair Essentials kit is available at Target and Rite Aid. It retails for $19.95 (a $30 value) and contains the line’s six essentials: