Rite Aid Closes Final U.S. Stores After Years of Decline

The U.S. pharmacy chain Rite Aid has officially shut all its remaining stores, marking the end of a company that once boasted thousands of locations.  Its website now displays the message: “All Rite Aid stores have now closed,” along with a tool allowing former customers to request their pharmacy records. 

Founded in 1962, Rite Aid grew to operate roughly 5,000 stores at its peak.  But in recent years, it has suffered serious financial troubles, filed for bankruptcy twice (in 2023 and 2025), and been embroiled in legal battles related to the opioid crisis.  The company had already pared down to fewer than 100 operating stores before the final closures. 

Part of Rite Aid’s legal troubles stemmed from accusations that some of its locations filled illegal prescriptions for opioids like oxycodone and fentanyl. In 2022, it agreed to pay up to $30 million to settle related lawsuits.  After acquiring massive liabilities, declining revenues, and regulatory scrutiny, the closures signal the definitive collapse of a once-vast retail pharmacy footprint.

The disappearance of Rite Aid raises concerns about pharmacy deserts—areas where residents might now struggle to access medications and basic health services without nearby alternatives. With CVS and Walgreens also shuttering numerous outlets, many Americans may face longer travel times or limited choices for essential prescriptions.