Rite Aid Q4 revenue up on pharmacy same-store sales gains

Camp Hill, Pa. — In the wake of acquiring Houston-based RediClinic, Rite Aid on Thursday reported revenues of $6.6 billion for the fourth quarter ended March 1, resulting from a 2.2% lift primarily attributed to an increase in pharmacy same-store sales. For the full year, Rite Aid reported $25.5 billion in revenues, up 0.5%.

For the fourth quarter, the company reported net income of $55.4 million or $0.06 per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA of $356.3 million, or 5.4% of revenues. For the full year, Rite Aid reported net income of $249.4 million or $0.23 per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA of $1.3 billion, or 5.2% of revenues.

"Thanks to the strong teamwork of our dedicated Rite Aid associates, we delivered strong fourth-quarter and fiscal 2014 results, including new company records for fourth-quarter and full-year adjusted EBITDA," stated Rite Aid chairman and CEO John Standley. "These accomplishments reflect the significant progress we're making in executing key initiatives and delivering on our promise to actively work with our customers to keep them well," he said. "Our recent acquisitions of Health Dialog and RediClinic, our expanded partnership with McKesson and our continued commitment to investing in our store base have positioned us to transition our strategy from turnaround to growth as we more aggressively pursue opportunities to become a growing retail healthcare company."

Same-store sales for the quarter increased 2.1% over the prior year, consisting of a 3.5% increase in pharmacy sales, partially offset by a 0.7% decrease in front-end sales. Pharmacy sales included an approximate 123 basis point negative impact from new generic introductions. The number of prescriptions filled in same stores decreased 1.8% over the prior year period, with 1.3% of this decrease being driven by a decrease in flu-related prescriptions and flu shots. Prescription sales accounted for 67.5% of total drug store sales, and third party prescription revenue was 97.1% of pharmacy sales.

In the fourth quarter, the company relocated two stores, remodeled 94 stores and expanded three stores, bringing the total number of wellness stores chainwide to 1,215. The company also closed eight stores, resulting in a total store count of 4,587 at the end of the fourth quarter.

Comparable sales for the year increased 0.7% consisting of a 1.2% increase in pharmacy sales, partially offset by a 0.2% decrease in front-end sales. Pharmacy sales included an approximate 232 basis point negative impact from new generic introductions. The number of prescriptions filled in same stores decreased 0.3% over the prior year period. Prescription sales accounted for 67.9% of total drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue was 97% of pharmacy sales.

For the year, the company relocated 11 stores, acquired one store, remodeled 405 stores, expanded four stores and closed 37 stores.

Rite Aid said it expects sales for fiscal 2015 to be between $26 billion and $26.5 billion with same-store sales expected to range from an increase of 2.5% to an increase of 4.5% over fiscal 2014.

The company's outlook for fiscal 2015 is based on the anticipated benefits of its wellness remodels, customer loyalty program, new pharmacy sourcing arrangement with McKesson and other initiatives to grow sales and drive operational efficiencies. The company's outlook also considers planned wage and benefit increases, the introduction of new generics in the second half of fiscal 2015, generic drug price increases and a challenging reimbursement rate environment.

Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $525 million. This number does not include the purchases of Health Dialog or RediClinic, Rite Aid noted.