CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. saw an uptick in comparable-store sales for August, with growth about the same as the previous month.
The drug chain said Wednesday that for the five weeks ended Sept. 1, same-store sales grew 0.4% year over year. Comp-store sales had gained 0.5% in July following a 1% decrease in June, which marked the retailer’s first monthly decline in over a year.
August same-store sales increased 2.4% in the front end but dipped 0.6% in the pharmacy. Rite Aid noted that comparable pharmacy sales reflect a negative impact of 819 basis points from generic drug introductions. Prescription count at comparable stores grew 4.5% for the month.
Total drug store sales were down 0.4% in August to nearly $2.406 billion from $2.414 billion a year earlier. Prescription sales accounted for 67.6% of drug store sales, Rite Aid said.
For the 13 weeks ended Sept. 1, same-store sales were flat versus the prior-year period. Comp-store sales gained 1.4% in the front end and fell 0.7% in the pharmacy during the quarter. Prescriptions filled at comparable stores edge up 4%.
Rite Aid said overall drug store sales in the quarter declined 0.7% to nearly $6.21 billion. Prescription sales represented 67.5% of total drug store sales.
In the 26 weeks ended Sept. 1, same-store sales rose 1.2% compared with the year-ago period. The increase reflected gains of 2% in the front end and 0.8% in the pharmacy. Prescription count at comparable stores was up 3.5%.
Total drug store sales for the half increased 0.5% to about $12.65 billion. Prescription sales accounted for 68% of overall drug store sales.
As of Sept. 1, Rite Aid operated 4,643 stores, compared with 4,697 stores a year earlier.
