NEW JERSEY – Rite Aid, a well-known pharmacy chain, has announced the closure of several stores across New Jersey, affecting local communities and customers. The impacted locations include Tinton Falls, Haledon, Irvington, Lumberton, Somerset, Williamstown, Milford, Mantua, Mullica Hill, Robbinsville, East Toms River, Whiting, and Haddonfield.
Founded in 1962 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Rite Aid grew rapidly, becoming one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains. Despite its success, the company has faced challenges in recent years, leading to the closure of numerous stores across the country. These challenges are reflective of broader trends in the pharmacy industry, including intense competition, shifts in consumer behavior, and the growing influence of online retailers.
- 4057 Asbury Avenue Suite 8 in Tinton Falls
- 431 Haledon Avenue in Haledon
- 35 Mill Road in Irvington
- 1636 Route 38 Suite 49 in Lumberton
- 773 Hamilton Street in Somerset
- 1434 South Black Horse Pike in Williamstown
- 3 Marshall Hill Road West in Milford
- 210 Bridgeton Pike in Mantua
- 108 Swedesboro Road Suite 20 in Mullica Hill
- 2370 Route 33 in Robbinsville
- 1726 Route 37 in East Toms River
- 86 B Lacey Road in Whiting
- 715 Haddon Avenue in Haddonfield
The closures in New Jersey are part of Rite Aid’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations and focus on profitable locations. The company’s strategy includes enhancing the in-store experience and expanding digital and delivery services to compete with larger chains and online pharmacies.
Pharmacies nationwide are grappling with similar challenges. The rise of mail-order prescriptions, increased competition from big-box retailers, and changes in healthcare reimbursement policies are contributing to the decline of traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies. These factors, coupled with the economic pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, have accelerated closures and consolidations in the industry.
For the affected communities in New Jersey, the closures mean a loss of convenient access to pharmacy services and potential job losses for store employees. Rite Aid has not yet detailed plans for employee relocations or severance. Customers are advised to transfer their prescriptions to other pharmacies and seek alternative locations for their healthcare needs.