Rite Aid gears up for holiday 2007 and beyond

Rite Aid is expecting a busy holiday shopping season, according to spokeswoman Ashley Flower. "Many stores will have extended hours on Christmas Eve and with 24—hour stores as well as select stores that are open on Christmas Day, even the last last-minute shopper will be successful!" she said. The chain is betting its selection of pre-wrapped gifts will be scooped up as well as its Pure Spring bath and body gift sets. Rite Aid is also offering Lights & Sounds of Christmas-a system that synchronizes music and lights for indoor and outdoor use. The chain expects inspirational statues and figures, LED lights, as well as a 6-ft. inflatable manger scene with baby Jesus and animals will be popular.

Looking beyond the holidays, Flower said the chain plans to hire more pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in 2008. When it comes to opening stores, she said, "This fiscal year, which closes March 1, 2008, we are scheduled to open 125 new and relocated stores. This is part of our greater store growth and development plan, which is to open 800 to 1,000 new and relocated Customer World stores over the next five years in existing markets." Customer World is Rite Aid's new prototype design that was developed three years ago to allow for easier navigation by customers. Rite Aid currently has more than 225 Customer World stores. Also, Rite Aid pharmacists can expect to see their salary increase, according to Flower.

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