Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) today announced sales results for October.

Monthly Sales

For the four weeks ended October 24, 2009, same store sales decreased 0.5 percent over the prior-year period. Front-end same store sales decreased 2.7 percent while pharmacy same store sales, which included an approximate 200 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, increased 0.5 percent. Prescriptions filled at comparable stores increased 1.8 percent over the prior-year period.

Total drugstore sales for the four-week period decreased 1.7 percent to $1.962 billion compared to $1.997 billion for the same period last year. Prescription revenue accounted for 69.0 percent of drugstore sales, and third party prescription revenue represented 96.2 percent of pharmacy sales.

Year-to-Date Sales

Same store sales for the 34-week period ended October 24, 2009 decreased 0.3 percent, consisting of a 3.1 percent front-end same store sales decrease and a 1.1 percent increase in pharmacy same store sales.

Total drugstore sales for the 34 weeks ended October 24, 2009 decreased 1.9 percent to $16.706 billion from $17.027 billion in last year’s like period. Prescription revenue accounted for 68.3 percent of total drugstore sales, and third-party prescription revenue was 96.3 percent of pharmacy sales.

Rite Aid is one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains. On October 24, 2009, the company operated 4,807 stores compared to 4,920 stores in the like period a year ago. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at http://www.riteaid.com.