Rite Aid News

Rite Aid Reports 0.7 Percent Same Store Sales Decrease for March, Negatively Impacted By Easter Shift

CAMP HILL, PA (April 2, 2009)-Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) today announced sales results for March.

Monthly Sales

For the four weeks ended March 28, 2009, same store sales decreased 0.7 percent over the prior year period, negatively impacted by a shift from a March Easter last year to an April Easter this year (March 23 last year compared to April 12 this year). March front-end same store sales decreased 6.3 percent while pharmacy same store sales, which included an approximate 367 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, increased 2.0 percent.

For the four weeks ended March 28, 2009, same store sales excluding the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores increased 0.2 percent compared to the prior-year period with front-end same store sales decreasing 6.0 percent and pharmacy same store sales increasing 3.7 percent.

For the four weeks ended March 28, 2009, same store sales at the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores declined 2.5 percent over the prior-year period with front-end same store sales decreasing 7.3 percent and pharmacy same store sales decreasing 0.9 percent.

Total drugstore sales for the four-week period decreased 2.3 percent to $1.996 billion compared to $2.044 billion for the same period last year. Prescription revenue accounted for 69.3 percent of drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue represented 96.4 percent of pharmacy sales.

Rite Aid is one of the nation's largest drugstore chains. On March 28, 2009, the company operated 4,883 stores compared to 5,049 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.

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Contact:

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

Media:Karen Rugen 717-730-7766