The End of an Era: Rite Aid Closes Its Doors for Good

In a stunning announcement, US pharmacy chain Rite Aid has declared the closure of all its remaining stores, marking the end of a significant chapter in American retail history. The company’s website now features a message stating, “All Rite Aid stores have now closed. We thank our loyal customers for their many years of support,” along with a link for customers to retrieve their pharmacy records. Founded in 1962, Rite Aid once thrived as one of the largest pharmacy chains in the country with over 5,000 stores at its peak.

However, the company’s downfall has been steep due to a series of financial struggles and legal issues that culminated in bankruptcy filings in both October 2023 and May 2025. The Justice Department’s investigation further complicated the situation, as Rite Aid faced allegations of improperly dispensing opioids, contributing to the ongoing opioid epidemic in the US. In response to these challenges, Rite Aid settled lawsuits by paying up to $30 million in 2022 and agreed to other settlements related to filling unlawful prescriptions.

The liquidation of Rite Aid follows a trend in the pharmacy sector. Competing chains like CVS and Walgreens have also been shuttering locations, with CVS closing more than 1,000 stores since 2021 and Walgreens closing 500 stores recently after a private equity acquisition.

This mass closure raises alarming questions about the rising phenomenon of ’pharmacy deserts’ in the US, where millions find themselves without easy access to necessary medical supplies and prescriptions. As more pharmacies close, the implications for healthcare accessibility, especially in underserved areas, could be dire.