Rite Aid comps increase 2.9% in October

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Same-store sales at Rite Aid increased by 2.9% in October, compared with last October, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The increase included a 1.3% increase in same-store sales on the front end, as well as a 3.6% increase in pharmacy same-store sales, including a negative offset of about 160 basis points due to the introduction of new generic drugs.

Total sales for the month were nearly $2 billion, a 2.8% increase over October 2010's $1.9 billion.

For the first 34 weeks of the year, same-store sales increased 1.6% compared with the same period last year, including a 1.1% increase in front-end same-store sales and a 1.9% increase in pharmacy same-store sales.

Total sales for the year to date were $16.5 billion, a 1.1% increase over last the $16.3 billion in total sales during the same period last year.