Rite Aid October Same Store Sales Increase 2.9 Percent

CAMP HILL, PA (October 30, 2008) – Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) today announced sales results for October.

Monthly Sales

For the four weeks ended October 25, 2008, same store sales increased 2.9 percent over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales were up 4.9 percent. Pharmacy same store sales increased 1.9 percent, which included an approximate 272 basis point negative impact from new generic introductions.

For the four weeks ended October 25, 2008, same stores sales excluding the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores increased 4.1 percent over the prior-year period with front-end same store sales increasing 4.3 percent and pharmacy same store sales growing 4.0 percent.

For the four weeks ended October 25, 2008, same store sales at the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores increased 0.4 percent over the prior-year period, which compares to a 1.2 percent decline in September. Front-end same store sales increased 6.9 percent. Pharmacy same store sales continued to improve, decreasing 1.6 percent compared to a 2.9 percent decline in September.

“We are pleased with our October sales, particularly considering the weak retail environment. Core Rite Aid stores once again produced solid sales increases while the turnaround at the former Brooks Eckerd stores continued with same store sales turning positive for the first time since before the acquisition,” said Mary Sammons, Rite Aid chairman and CEO.

Total drugstore sales for the four-week period increased 0.5 percent to $1.997 billion compared to $1.986 billion for the same period last year. Prescription revenue accounted for 68.2 percent of drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue represented 96.3 percent of pharmacy sales.

Year-to-Date Sales

Same store sales for the 34-week period ended October 25, 2008 increased 1.3 percent, consisting of a 2.4 percent front-end same store sales increase and a 0.8 percent increase in pharmacy same store sales. Year-to-date same store sales include 21weeks of the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores.

Total drugstore sales for the 34 weeks ended October 25, 2008 increased 13.6 percent to $17.027 billion from $14.982 billion in last year’s like period. Prescription revenue accounted for 67.4 percent of total drugstore sales, and third-party prescription revenue was 96.3 percent of pharmacy sales.

Rite Aid does not report its’ Delaware store sales figures separately.

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