The embattled chain will see hundreds of stores close in 2025.
Russ Crespolini and Eddie Callahan, Patch Staff
NEW JERSEY - The embattled pharmacy chain giant Rite Aid is closing additional store locations in NJ, according to The Hill, after the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy a second time last month.
This latest batch of 100 brings the total number of locations shutting their doors at around 700 throughout the United States, approximately half of the 1,240 retail stores that will be listed for sale.
Rite Aid first filed for bankruptcy restructuring in 2023, after the Philadelphia-based company had been struggling with losses for years. This time around it doubled down, citing its “only viable path forward” was a return to Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
A group of four stores were added to the list for New Jersey, making a total of 34 stores on pace to shut down in 2025:
Previously announced closures:
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Set dates and closings are still pending court approval.
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Rite Aid said customers can continue to access pharmacy services and products in stores and online, including prescriptions and immunizations. In connection with the sale process and court-supervised proceedings, the company said it is working to facilitate a smooth transfer of customer prescriptions to other pharmacies.
Rite Aid Rewards points are no longer being issued, and existing points and bonus cash will also expire per the terms and conditions. They will also no longer honor gift cards or accept any returns or exchanges beginning June 5.
MORE FROM PATCH: What Customers Can Expect After NJ Pharmacy Chain Files 2nd Bankruptcy
Tighter profits on prescriptions, increased theft, court settlements over opioid prescriptions and customers moving to online and discount retailers have hit many major pharmacy chains in recent years. Rite Aid is far from alone.
CVS Health is also set to shutter close to 300 of its United States locations in 2025 as part of an "enterprise-wide restructuring plan intended to streamline and simplify the organization." This is in addition to the total of 900 locations that were already closed between 2022 and 2024.
In May, CVS Health gave a glimpse into its restructuring plan when it agreed to acquire and run 64 Rite Aid stores in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The move is still pending approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, applicable regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions.
Walgreens, which has more than six times as many stores as Rite Aid, was acquired in March by the private equity firm Sycamore Partners.