Rite Aid Corporation reported sales results for the month and year-to-date ended January 25, 2014. For the four weeks ended Jan. 25, 2014, same store sales increased 1.8% over the prior-year period. January front-end same store sales decreased 1.3%, of which 1.4% was attributable to a decrease in sales of flu-related over-the-counter products. Pharmacy same store sales, which included an approximate 124 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, increased 3.2%. Prescription count at comparable stores decreased 2.2% over the prior-year period, of which 2.4% is attributable to a decrease in flu-related prescriptions and flu shots. Total drugstore sales for the four-week period increased 1.5% to $1.943 billion compared to $1.914 billion for the same period last year. Prescription sales accounted for 69.7% of drugstore sales, and third party prescription sales represented 96.7% of pharmacy sales.

Same store sales for the 47-week period ended Jan. 25, 2014 increased 0.6% over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales were flat compared to the prior-year period while pharmacy same store sales increased 0.9%. Prescription count at comparable stores decreased 0.2% over the prior-year period. Total drugstore sales for the 47 weeks ended Jan. 25, 2014 increased 0.3% with sales of $22.896 billion compared to $22.826 billion for the same period last year. Prescription sales represented 67.7% of total drugstore sales, and third party prescription sales represented 97.0% of pharmacy sales.