The pharmacy giant Rite Aid has officially shuttered all its stores following two bankruptcy filings within a span of less than two years.
A succinct message appeared on the company’s website announcing the closures.
“All Rite Aid stores have now closed,” the statement reads. “We extend our gratitude to our loyal customers for their years of support.”
The site provides previous customers access to their pharmacy and immunization records, along with guidance on locating the pharmacies that received their transferred prescriptions.
For over six decades, Rite Aid operated across the United States. In 2017 and 2018, the company considered merging with Walgreens and Albertsons, respectively, but opted against both deals, as reported by Investopedia.
In 1987, Rite Aid stood as the largest drugstore chain in the U.S., boasting more than 2,000 locations, according to financial media outlets.
The chain’s decision to file for bankruptcy protection in 2023 stemmed from overwhelming debt and declining sales amid increased competition and numerous lawsuits linked to its involvement in the opioid crisis. Rite Aid swiftly enacted a store optimization strategy that led to the immediate closure of 154 of its 2,284 outlets.
As part of its restructuring efforts, Rite Aid closed hundreds of additional stores, ultimately leaving only about 1,245 locations by the time it filed for bankruptcy a second time in May 2025, as detailed in reports.
While its initial restructuring helped reduce the company’s debt, Rite Aid still carried $2.5 billion in liabilities upon re-emerging as a private entity controlled by its lenders in 2024. The company continued to grapple with enduring business challenges stemming from inflation and stiff competition from chains such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Amazon.
Contributions to this report were made by Daniella Genovese of FOX Business.
