Walgreens Has Purchased 1,900 Rite Aid Stores. Here’s What That Means For You

Last year Walgreens agreed to buy more than 1,900 Rite Aid stores and three distribution centers for $4.4 billion, a deal that leaves Rite Aid a much smaller chain operating in eight states. This year, the first stores have started to switch over to the Walgreens family. The transition may be confusing for some customers, so here’s some information on what it means for you.

The transition of stores will take place in two phases. The first phase is ownership, which started in late January and is expected to be completed by this spring. For the time being, the stores will continue to show Rite Aid signage, but each one will display a notice indicating that it is owned by Walgreens. Once the transfer is complete, Walgreens will begin converting the locations to the Walgreens brand.

Walgreens hopes to complete the acquisition by spring of this year, and around 600 Rite Aid stores will close. The full integration and branding updates won’t be completed until 2020.

How will this affect me?

• The entire store, both the pharmacy and the front-store will be owned by Walgreens, and stores will also fully convert to Walgreens infrastructure and branding.

• If you want to use a discount coupon from GoodRx at one of these stores, be sure it is a Walgreens coupon, not for Rite Aid.

• Until all acquired stores are fully transitioned, which could take up to three years, the purchased Rite Aid stores will require temporary branding that includes both the Walgreens and Rite Aid names.

For more information about this transition, and questions about transferring your prescription, see Walgreen’s FAQ here.

How will this look in GoodRx?

During the transition period, Rite Aid pharmacies that have been acquired by Walgreens will be labeled with the name “Rite Aid (Walgreens)” on GoodRx

If you’re filling your prescription at a Rite Aid store that has been purchased by Walgreens, be sure you print the GoodRx coupon for the correct store – Walgreens. If you’re unsure if your Rite Aid store will be affected, call your pharmacy to see if they are part of this transition.