Rite Aid News

Rite Aid Reports 0.9 Percent Same Store Sales Decrease for February

CAMP HILL, PA (March 5, 2009) - Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) today announced sales results for February.

Monthly Sales

For the five weeks ended February 28, 2009, same store sales decreased 0.9 percent over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales decreased 2.9 percent while pharmacy same store sales, which included an approximate 317 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, were flat.

For the five weeks ended February 28, 2009, same store sales excluding the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores were flat compared to the prior-year period with front-end same store sales decreasing 2.5 percent and pharmacy same store sales increasing 1.4 percent.

For the five weeks ended February 28, 2009, same store sales at the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores declined 2.8 percent over the prior-year period with front-end same store sales decreasing 3.8 percent and pharmacy same store sales decreasing 2.4 percent.

February sales were negatively impacted by a weak cough, cold and flu season, Valentine's Day falling on a Saturday versus a Thursday last year as well as a slowing economy.

Total drugstore sales for the five-week period decreased 2.4 percent to $2.549 billion compared to $2.613 billion for the same period last year. Prescription revenue accounted for 67.9 percent of drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue represented 96.5 percent of pharmacy sales.

Quarterly Sales

Same store sales for the 13-week quarter ended February 28, 2009 decreased 0.1 percent over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales were down 2.0 percent. Pharmacy same store sales increased 0.8 percent.

For the 13 weeks ended February 28, 2009, same store sales excluding the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores increased 0.8 percent over the prior-year period with front-end same store sales decreasing 1.9 percent and pharmacy same store sales growing 2.4 percent.

For the 13 weeks ended February 28, 2009, same store sales at the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores decreased 1.9 percent over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales decreased 2.1 percent. Pharmacy same store sales decreased 1.9 percent.

Total drugstore sales for this 13-week fourth quarter decreased 1.9 percent to $6.683 billion compared to $6.810 billion in last year's like period. Prescription revenue represented 66.6 percent of total drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue was 96.3 percent of pharmacy sales.

Year End Sales

Same store sales for the 52-week period ended February 28, 2009 increased 0.8 percent, consisting of a 0.9 percent front-end same store sales increase and a 0.7 percent increase in pharmacy same store sales. Year-end same store sales include 39 weeks of the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores.

Total drugstore sales for the 52 weeks ended February 28, 2009 increased 7.7 percent to $26.185 billion from $24.319 billion in last year's like period. Prescription revenue accounted for 67.2 percent of total drugstore sales, and third-party prescription revenue was 96.3 percent of pharmacy sales.

Rite Aid is one of the nation's largest drugstore chains. On February 28, 2009, the company operated 4,901 stores compared to 5,059 stores in the like period a year ago. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at http://www.riteaid.com.

###

Contact:

Investors:717-975-3710, Frank Vitrano 717-972-3948 or investor@riteaid.com

Media:Karen Rugen 717-730-7766