CAMP HILL, Pa. — Comparable-store sales at Rite Aid Corp. grew in July after experiencing a dip the previous month.
Rite Aid said Thursday that for the four weeks ended July 28, same-store sales edged up 0.5% year over year. The company reported a 1% decrease in same-store sales for June, which was the drug chain’s first monthly decline in over a year.
In July, comp-store sales rose 1.2% in the front end and inched up 0.2% in the pharmacy. Rite Aid noted that comparable pharmacy sales reflect a negative impact of 742 basis points from generic drug introductions.
Prescription count at comparable stores in July increased 4.5% versus a year ago.
Overall drug store sales for July came in virtually flat, dipping 0.1% to $1.881 billion from $1.883 billion a year earlier. Prescription sales accounted for 67.5% of drug store sales.
For the 21 weeks ended July 28, same-store sales were up 1.5%, including gains of 2% in the front end and 1.2% in the pharmacy. Prescriptions filled at comparable stores grew 3.2% during that time.
Total drug store sales in the 21-week period increased 0.8% to $10.247 billion from $10.167 billion a year ago. Prescription sales represented 68.1% of drug store sales.
As of July 28, Rite Aid operated 4,646 drug stores, compared with 4,702 stores a year earlier.
