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Rite Aid September Same Store Sales Increase 1.7 Percent

CAMP HILL, Pa.-(Business Wire)-October 2, 2008 - Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD) today announced sales results for September.

Monthly Sales

For the four weeks ended September 27, 2008, same store sales increased 1.7 percent over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales were up 3.4 percent. Pharmacy same store sales increased 1.0 percent, which included an approximate 261 basis point negative impact from new generic introductions.

For the four weeks ended September 27, 2008, same stores sales excluding the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores increased 3.2 percent over the prior-year period with front-end same store sales increasing 3.1 percent and pharmacy same store sales growing 3.3 percent.

For the four weeks ended September 27, 2008, same store sales at the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores decreased 1.2 percent over the prior-year period, which compares to a 2.7 percent decline in August. Front-end same store sales increased 4.5 percent. Pharmacy same store sales decreased 2.9 percent, compared to a 4.6 percent decline in August.

“Once again our core stores delivered solid gains, and our acquired stores posted a significant increase in the front end and good improvement in the pharmacy. The turnaround of the former Brooks Eckerd stores continues,” said Mary Sammons, Rite Aid chairman and CEO.

Total drugstore sales for the four-week period decreased 0.8 percent to $1.971 billion compared to $1.986 billion for the same period last year. Prescription revenue accounted for 67.9 percent of drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue represented 96.8 percent of pharmacy sales.

Year-to-Date Sales

Same store sales for the 30-week period ended September 27, 2008 increased 1.1 percent, consisting of a 2.1 percent front-end same store sales increase and a 0.6 percent increase in pharmacy same store sales. Year-to-date same store sales include 17 weeks of the acquired Brooks Eckerd stores.

Total drugstore sales for the 30 weeks ended September 27, 2008 increased 15.7 percent to $15.030 billion from $12.996 billion in last year’s like period. Prescription revenue accounted for 67.3 percent of total drugstore sales, and third-party prescription revenue was 96.4 percent of pharmacy sales.

Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains, operating 4,922 stores on September 27, 2008 in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at http://www.riteaid.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include our ability to improve the operating performance of our stores in accordance with our long term strategy; our ability to realize the benefits of the Brooks Eckerd acquisition, including positive same store sales growth for Brooks Eckerd; our ability to hire and retain pharmacists and other store personnel; and competitive pricing pressures, including aggressive promotional activity from our competitors. Readers are also directed to consider other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements can be identified through the use of words such as "may", "will", "intend", "plan", "project", "expect", "anticipate", "could", "should", "would", "believe", "estimate", "contemplate", and "possible".

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