Content about The Pharm

July 30, 2012
Rite Aid leverages Wellness in comeback

Everybody loves a comeback story, and it looks as though the pharmacy retail industry has one of its own in the making as Rite Aid’s latest earnings report showed another strong quarter for the Camp Hill, Pa.-based chain, which has been steadily growing its sales and narrowing its losses for several quarters already.


Everybody loves a comeback story, and it looks as though the pharmacy retail industry has one of its own in the making as Rite Aid’s latest earnings report showed another strong quarter for the Camp Hill, Pa.-based chain, which has been steadily growing its sales and narrowing its losses for several quarters already.


July 11, 2012
Jean Coutu Group profits up nearly C$350 million on sale of Rite Aid shares

Canadian retail pharmacy operator the Jean Coutu Group posted big increases in sales and profits that stemmed in large part from its sale earlier this year of much of its stake in U.S. retail pharmacy chain Rite Aid.

LONGUEUIL, Quebec — Canadian retail pharmacy operator the Jean Coutu Group posted big increases in sales and profits that stemmed in large part from its sale earlier this year of much of its stake in U.S. retail pharmacy chain Rite Aid.

July 5, 2012
Rite Aid's June comps decrease 1%

Rite Aid's same-store sales decreased in June, compared with June 2011, due largely to a decrease in pharmacy comps, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales decreased in June, compared with June 2011, due largely to a decrease in pharmacy comps, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The 1% decrease in overall comps included a 1.6% decrease in pharmacy same-store sales — including a negative effect of 672 basis points from new generic introductions — and a 0.3% increase in front-end same-store sales. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 2.9%.

June 21, 2012
Wellness+ loyalty program, Wellness format stores continue to lift Rite Aid performance

Rite Aid maintained its same-store sales momentum, posting gains across front-end and pharmacy comparable sales for the sixth consecutive quarter: Overall same-store sales were up 2.5%, reflecting a 2.7% increase across the front-end and a 2.4% uptick across pharmacy, for the first quarter ended June 2.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid maintained its same-store sales momentum, posting gains across front-end and pharmacy comparable sales for the sixth consecutive quarter: Overall same-store sales were up 2.5%, reflecting a 2.7% increase across the front-end and a 2.4% uptick across pharmacy, for the first quarter ended June 2. Comparable prescriptions filled were up 3%, much of that from prescriptions coming out of the Walgreens-Express Scripts dispute (patients that Rite Aid plans on keeping), but that isn't the only reason Rite Aid's pharmacy business is on the rise.

April 12, 2012
Rite Aid posts strong Q4, FY2012

Despite running fewer stores, Rite Aid grew its sales and narrowed its losses during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012, thanks to a boost in its loyalty card program membership, a longer fiscal year and the continuing dispute between Walgreens and Express Scripts.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Despite running fewer stores, Rite Aid grew its sales and narrowed its losses during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012, thanks to a boost in its loyalty card program membership, a longer fiscal year and the continuing dispute between Walgreens and Express Scripts.

October 11, 2011
Gerber Graduates will appeal to that nutrition-conscious mom

With all the focus on food and wellness at the pharmacy, this Graduates Yogurt Melts at a Rite Aid in Camp Hill, Pa., ought to appeal to that nutrition-conscious mom.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — With all the focus on food and wellness at the pharmacy, this Graduates Yogurt Melts at a Rite Aid in Camp Hill, Pa., ought to appeal to that nutrition-conscious mom. In fact, this Gerber product was awarded the Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval for excellence in family products not too long ago.

July 25, 2011
Back to wellness and adding the ‘plus’


With its latest string of initiatives designed to bring it out of a slump that lasted more than a decade, Rite Aid is aiming for “wellness” to do for it what the lower-case “i” did for Apple.



With its latest string of initiatives designed to bring it out of a slump that lasted more than a decade, Rite Aid is aiming for “wellness” to do for it what the lower-case “i” did for Apple.


First, there was the wellness+ loyalty card program. Then, there was the wellness store format, with its team of Wellness Ambassadors. “This new format is all about empowering our customers in their pursuit of wellness,” president and CEO John Standley said in the company’s first quarter 2012 earnings call on June 23.


July 25, 2011
Segmentation strategies add up


The 19th century British writer William Hickson may have written, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again,” but he only had half the story. By all means, try again, but don’t do the same thing over and over and expect different results.



The 19th century British writer William Hickson may have written, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again,” but he only had half the story. By all means, try again, but don’t do the same thing over and over and expect different results.


June 21, 2011
Rite Aid shows off innovation with Wellness store

The first thing one notices upon entering Rite Aid’s new Wellness concept store in Mechanicsburg, Pa., is how bright, airy and open it looks, compared with a typical retail pharmacy, thanks to a new paint job and lower shelves that left some customers with the mistaken impression that the store had new lighting.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — The first thing one notices upon entering Rite Aid’s new Wellness concept store in Mechanicsburg, Pa., is how bright, airy and open it looks, compared with a typical retail pharmacy, thanks to a new paint job and lower shelves that left some customers with the mistaken impression that the store had new lighting.

April 27, 2011
Rite Aid's same-store sales edge up 0.5%

Rite Aid’s same-store sales for April increased by 0.5%, compared with April 2010, the pharmacy retailer said Wednesday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid’s same-store sales for April increased by 0.5%, compared with April 2010, the pharmacy retailer said Wednesday.

This included a 0.4% decrease in sales at the front end and a 1% increase in pharmacy sales, offset by 133 basis points due to new introductions of generic drugs. Prescription count at comparable stores increased by 0.7%.

April 18, 2011
Rite Aid appoints new EVP merchandising

Rite Aid's SVP category management Tony Montini has been promoted to EVP merchandising, the pharmacy retailer said Monday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's SVP category management Tony Montini has been promoted to EVP merchandising, the pharmacy retailer said Monday.

In addition, SVP business development Bryan Shirtliff has been promoted to the new position of SVP merchandising.

December 16, 2010
Rite Aid’s new loyalty program a major bright spot in tough Q3

What Rite Aid might wish for Christmas is accelerated results borne from its Wellness+ loyalty card program, because even as the chain lowered its guidance for fiscal 2011 sales, it’s that differentiated loyalty program that executives believe is going to buttress sales next year and beyond.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — What Rite Aid might wish for Christmas is accelerated results borne from its Wellness+ loyalty card program, because even as the chain lowered its guidance for fiscal 2011 sales, it’s that differentiated loyalty program that executives believe is going to buttress sales next year and beyond.

September 26, 2010
Apples vs. oranges: New food-drug concept marks departure from trend

More drug store retailers are testing expanded food offerings these days—the latest being a partnership...

September 12, 2010
Driving profitable sales on road back to black

Rite Aid’s road back to black still is long and pocked with challenges, but it’s...

September 12, 2010
Turnaround efforts spearheaded by returning, co. veterans

Rite Aid’s course has remained steady and true, more or less, from the time Bob...

September 6, 2010
Rite Aid inks deal with Save-A-Lot

Rite Aid has entered a licensing agreement with Save-A-Lot stores to bring the grocer's discount,...

June 22, 2010
Despite sales drop, Rite Aid's business will see 'significant positive impact'

Rite Aid on Wednesday reported a revenue decline of 2.1% to $6.4 billion, for the...

June 2, 2010
Rite Aid's May sales drop

Rite Aid reported a decline in its same-store monthly sales....