Rite Aid News

Rite Aid Reports 1.9 Percent Same Store Sales Decrease for August

CAMP HILL, PA (September 3, 2009) - Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) today announced sales results for August.

Monthly Sales

For the five weeks ended August 29, 2009, same store sales decreased 1.9 percent over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales decreased 5.3 percent while pharmacy same store sales, which included an approximate 264 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, declined 0.2 per cent. Sales continued to be negatively impacted by a weak economy with high unemployment.

For the five weeks ended August 29, 2009, same store sales excluding the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores were down 1.5 percent compared to the prior-year period with front-end same store sales decreasing 5.6 percent and pharmacy same store sales increasing 0.9 percent.

For the five weeks ended August 29, 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 4.2 percent and pharmacy same store sales decreasing 2.3 percent.

Total drugstore sales for the five-week period decreased 3.2 percent to $2.395 billion compared to $2.474 billion for the same period last year. Prescription revenue accounted for 68.3 percent of drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue represented 96.2 percent of pharmacy sales.

Quarterly Sales

Same store sales for the 13-week quarter ended August 29, 2009 decreased 1.1 percent over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales were down 4.9 percent while pharmacy same store sales increased 0.8 percent.

For the 13 weeks ended August 29, 2009, same store sales excluding the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores decreased 0.6 percent over the prior-year period with front-end same store sales decreasing 4.9 percent and pharmacy same store sales growing 2.0 percent.

For the 13 weeks ended August 29, 2009, same store sales at the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores decreased 2.3 percent over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales decreased 4.7 percent. Pharmacy same store sales decreased 1.4 percent.

Total drugstore sales for this 13-week second quarter decreased 2.7 percent to $6.297 billion compared to $6.473 billion in last year's like period. Prescription revenue represented 68.1 percent of total drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue was 96.3 percent of pharmacy sales.

Year-to-Date Sales

Same store sales for the 26-week period ended August 29, 2009 decreased 0.3 percent, consisting of a 3.2 percent front-end same store sales decrease and a 1.2 percent increase in pharmacy same store sales.

Total drugstore sales for the 26 weeks ended August 29, 2009 decreased 2.0 percent to $12.803 billion from $13.059 billion in last year's like period. Prescription revenue accounted for 68.2 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 August 29, 2009, the company operated 4,812 stores compared to 4,930 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, Chris Hall 717-214-8834 or investor@riteaid.com

Media:Karen Rugen 717-730-7766