RITE AID

NEW YORK — A wide range of factors and "moving parts" will likely make 2012 a challenging year for pharmacy retailers as the economy, generic drugs and the dispute between Walgreens and Express Scripts figure prominently, analysts say.

Still, they say, various factors may serve to benefit drug stores and other retailers that operate pharmacies.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has hired Wendy Barnes as group VP managed care, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Reporting to SVP pharmacy services Chris Hall, Barnes will be responsible for all aspects of managed care, including contracting; relationships with managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and third-party payers; and developing new strategic partnerships.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales increased 3.6% in December 2011, compared with December 2010, the company said Thursday.

Front-end same-store sales increased by 0.7%, while pharmacy same-store sales increased by 5.2% and prescription count at comparable stores increased 3.2%. Total store sales increased by 3.3% to $2.6 billion, compared with December 2010's nearly $2.6 billion.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Americans make hundreds of millions of New Year's resolutions every year, following some to the letter and ignoring others. Health-related resolutions are among the most common, giving pharmacy retailers a way to pitch in and help.

NEW YORK — Retailers will report weak December front-end sales growth across the drug channel as continued inflation likely was offset by the slow start to the flu season and disappointing overall traffic and volume growth, Credit Suisse research analyst Ed Kelly suggested in a note published Tuesday.

"While drug stores have been fairly successful passing through product cost inflation at the shelf, our Nielsen Trend Tracker shows that volumes have decelerated in recent months given the weak consumer and normal price elasticity," he wrote.

Rather than take off for Christmas, the editors of Drug Store News took a look at the year ahead and the stories, issues and trends that will make headlines in retail pharmacy in 2012.

CHATSWORTH, Calif. — Rite Aid is planning to roll out 3-D holographic display kiosks in its stores next year, according to the kiosks' manufacturer.

In a letter to shareholders, Provision Interactive Technologies president and CEO Curt Thornton wrote that it would place its 3-D Reward Centers in Rite Aid stores, starting with 200 stores and, according to the agreement between the two companies, eventually installing the kiosks in up to 4,800 stores. Rite Aid currently has 4,679 stores.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — In an effort to help shoppers find last-minute deals and gifts, Rite Aid announced that more than 4,500 of its stores will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Dec. 23.

In addition to the extensive hours, the company also said that many of its locations will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Consumers are encourage to visit RiteAid.com/stores for local store hours, including 24-hour locations.