CVS Pharmacy Reports 9 Million New Customers Following Rite Aid Closures
woonsocket, RI – CVS Pharmacy announced it has gained approximately 9 million former Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs customers following the closure of stores operated by those brands, according to a company release. The gains come as Rite Aid navigates a challenging period, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May and selling off assets to competitors.
CVS Health acquired prescription files from Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs as part of a broader restructuring of the pharmacy landscape. To facilitate a smooth transition for customers, CVS Pharmacy distributed the acquired prescription files to stores within three miles of former Rite Aid locations and hired over 3,500 employees previously working at Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs. Investments were also made in existing CVS Pharmacy locations to bolster staffing and training.
Rite Aid’s bankruptcy filing followed a previous restructuring effort that saw the closure of around 850 stores. In may, the company initiated a process to sell substantially all of its assets, leading to agreements to transfer prescription files from over 1,000 locations to rivals including CVS, Walgreens, Albertsons, Hooks, and Giant Eagle.
The influx of new customers contributed to a significant increase in CVS Pharmacy’s performance during the second quarter of 2025. Same-store pharmacy sales jumped roughly 18%, while prescription volumes climbed 6% and retail script share reached 27.8%. CVS attributed a portion of this growth to “spill-over traffic” from the closing Rite Aid stores.
“From our innovative pharmacy care programs to our exclusive store brand products,we look forward to showing Rite aid and Bartell Drugs patients and customers all that CVS has to offer,” CVS Health said in the release.
