Rite Aid comps increase 0.4% in August

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid posted a 0.4% increase in same-store sales for the month of August, the retail pharmacy operator said Wednesday.



The increase included a 2.4% increase in front-end comps and a 0.6% decrease in pharmacy comps. Total store sales for the five-week period that ended Saturday were roughly $2.41 billion, a 0.4% decrease from last year's $2.414 billion. Same-store prescription count increased by 4.5%.



For the 13 weeks that ended Saturday, comps were flat, compared with the same period last year, including a 1.4% increase in front-end comps and a 0.7% decrease in pharmacy comps. Total store sales decreased 0.7%, to $6.21 billion, compared with $6.25 billion last year. Same-store prescription count increased by 4%.



For the 26-week period ended Saturday, comps increased by 1.2%, including a 2% increase in front-end comps and a 0.8% increase in pharmacy comps. Total store sales increased by 0.5%, to $12.646 billion, compared with $12.581 billion last year. Same-store prescription count increased by 3.5%.