Rite Aid December sales flat at $2.2 billion

Rite Aid last week reported a same-store sales decrease of 0.1% for the four weeks ended Dec. 26. December front-end same-store sales increased 0.8% while pharmacy same-store sales, which included an approximate 207 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, decreased 0.6%.



Despite the report of relatively flat sales, Rite Aid stocks were up on Dec. 31, reaching a peak of $7.89 for the day. Today, the stock is trading at $7.86, up slightly from the day's open of $7.84.



Prescription count at comparable stores decreased 0.4% over the prior-year period.



Total drugstore sales for the four-week period were flat with sales of $2.2 billion. Prescription sales accounted for 64.6% of drug store sales, and third-party prescription sales represented 98% of pharmacy sales.



Same-store sales for the 43-week period ended Dec. 26, 2015 increased 1.7% over the prior-year period. Front-end same-store sales increased 0.4%, while pharmacy same-store sales increased 2.3%. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 0.5% over the prior-year period.



Total drugstore sales for the 43 weeks ended Dec. 26, 2015 increased 1.6% with sales of $22.1 billion. Prescription sales represented 69% of total drugstore sales, and third-party prescription sales represented 97.8% of pharmacy sales.