Pharmacy sales lift Rite Aid in 2014

Strong traffic in the pharmacy department helped Rite Aid post a lift in same-store sales for the 52 weeks ended Feb. 28.

Same-store sales for the 52-week period increased 4.3% over the prior-year period. Front-end same-store sales increased 1.2%, while pharmacy same-store sales increased 5.8%. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 3.5% over the prior-year period.

Total sales for the 52 weeks increased 3.7% with sales of $26.3 billion compared with $25.41 billion for the same period last year. Prescription sales represented 68.8% of total drug store sales, and third-party prescription sales represented 97.5% of pharmacy sales.

For the 13 weeks ended Feb. 28, same-store sales increased 4.5% over the prior-year period. Front-end same-store sales increased 2%, while pharmacy same-store sales increased 5.7%. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 3.5% over the prior-year period.

Total drug store sales for the 13 weeks increased 3.5% with sales of $6.80 billion compared with $6.56 billion for the same period last year. Prescription sales represented 68.1% of total drug store sales, and third-party prescription sales represented 97.5% of pharmacy sales.

For the month of February, same-store sales increased 3.3% over the prior-year period. February front-end same-store sales increased 1.6%. Pharmacy same-store sales increased 4.1%. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 2.2% over the prior-year period.

Total drug store sales for the five-week period increased 1.7% to $2.557 billion compared with $2.513 billion for the same period last year. Prescription sales accounted for 69.2% of drug store sales, and third-party prescription sales represented 97.6% of pharmacy sales.