As a retail industry expert and picky shopper, I‘m always on the lookout for the most convenient and reliable sources for all my shopping needs. When it comes to buying newspapers, drugstores like Rite Aid are often a go-to destination. But does Rite Aid actually sell newspapers these days? And if so, what kind of selection can you expect to find?
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll break down everything you need to know about buying newspapers at Rite Aid. From the history of the chain to current trends in the newspaper industry, I‘ll give you an inside scoop on how to get your news fix at your local Rite Aid.
The Evolution of Rite Aid
First, a little background. Rite Aid is one of the largest drugstore chains in the United States with over 2,400 locations as of 2023. The company was founded in 1962 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and initially operated as a discount health and beauty store under the name Thrift D Discount Center. In 1968, the company changed its name to Rite Aid and began expanding rapidly throughout the East Coast and Midwest.
Over the decades, Rite Aid has undergone significant changes and challenges. In the 1990s, the company began acquiring other regional drugstore chains to grow its footprint, including Perry Drug Stores, Harco, Inc., and K&B, Inc. By the early 2000s, Rite Aid had become the third-largest drugstore chain in the country behind Walgreens and CVS.
However, Rite Aid has also faced financial struggles and controversies over the years. In the late 1990s, the company was involved in an accounting scandal that led to the resignation of several top executives. Rite Aid also accumulated significant debt from its acquisition strategy and faced increased competition from larger rivals.
In recent years, Rite Aid has attempted to differentiate itself by remodeling stores, expanding its pharmacy services, and introducing more health and wellness offerings. In 2018, Rite Aid sold over 1,900 of its stores to Walgreens in a deal valued at $4.4 billion. And in 2022, Rite Aid was acquired by grocery chain Albertsons Companies, though the two companies continue to operate as separate brands.
Throughout all these changes, Rite Aid has remained committed to being a convenient one-stop-shop for essentials like toiletries, snacks, cleaning supplies, and over-the-counter medications. And for many customers, that includes newspapers and magazines.
Newspaper Sales Trends in the US
To understand Rite Aid‘s newspaper offerings, it‘s helpful to look at the bigger picture of the newspaper industry. According to data from the Pew Research Center, estimated total daily newspaper circulation in the United States (print and digital combined) was 24.3 million for weekday papers and 25.8 million for Sunday papers in 2020. This marks a significant decline from the peak of circulation in the 1970s and 1980s.
Here‘s a look at how weekday newspaper circulation has changed over the past few decades:
| Year | Weekday Circulation (millions) |
|---|---|
| 1970 | 62.1 |
| 1980 | 62.2 |
| 1990 | 62.3 |
| 2000 | 55.8 |
| 2010 | 43.4 |
| 2020 | 24.3 |
As you can see, weekday newspaper circulation has declined by over 60% since 1970, with the steepest drops occurring in the 2000s and 2010s. Sunday circulation has followed a similar trend, though the declines have been slightly less steep.
There are a few key reasons for this shift:
- The rise of digital news consumption, including news websites, apps, and social media
- Changing consumer behaviors and preferences, especially among younger generations
- Declining advertising revenue for print newspapers
- Increasing costs of printing and distribution
- Consolidation and closures of many local newspapers
However, it‘s important to note that while overall newspaper circulation has declined dramatically, some papers have fared better than others. Large national newspapers like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal have maintained relatively stable readership by investing in digital subscriptions and premium content.
Additionally, while print circulation has fallen, some studies suggest that the total reach of newspapers across all platforms (print, digital, mobile) has actually increased in recent years. A 2021 Nielsen Scarborough study found that over 125 million US adults read a newspaper in print or online each month, representing over half of the adult population.
So what does all this mean for newspaper sales at Rite Aid? As a national retailer, Rite Aid has had to adapt to changing customer demand and supply over the years. While newspapers used to be a staple item at most drugstores, many Rite Aid locations have reduced or eliminated their newspaper offerings as circulation has declined.
Newspaper Selection at Rite Aid vs. Competitors
So what kind of newspaper selection can you expect at Rite Aid compared to other major drugstore chains? Based on my research and experience, here‘s how I would rank the big three chains for newspaper offerings:
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CVS – Tends to have the widest selection of national and local newspapers, often located in a dedicated section at the front of the store. Many locations also offer a "Free Standing Insert" (FSI) bundle of weekly advertising circulars.
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Walgreens – Selection varies widely by location, but most stores carry at least a few local papers and sometimes national newspapers like The New York Times or Wall Street Journal. Newspapers are usually displayed near the front registers.
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Rite Aid – Has the most inconsistent newspaper offerings of the three chains. Some locations (particularly in cities with a strong local newspaper) may have a decent selection, while others don‘t carry any newspapers at all. Generally has a smaller selection than CVS or Walgreens.
Of course, this is a general assessment and there can be significant variation from one store to another. Some Rite Aid locations in major metros may have an excellent newspaper selection, while a rural Walgreens store may not carry any papers at all.
Interestingly, Rite Aid actually sold over half of its stores to Walgreens in 2018 as part of a larger deal. This means that some Rite Aid locations were converted to Walgreens stores, while others remained Rite Aid stores under new ownership. It‘s unclear how this has impacted newspaper offerings at those locations.
As for magazines, all three drugstore chains tend to carry a similar selection of popular titles across categories like entertainment, lifestyle, health, and hobbies. However, Rite Aid and Walgreens both offer loyalty programs (wellness+ rewards and myWalgreens) that allow customers to earn points on magazine purchases, which may be an extra incentive for frequent readers.
Tips for Finding Newspapers at Rite Aid
If you‘re determined to buy a newspaper at Rite Aid, here are some tips to improve your chances of finding what you‘re looking for:
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Check the front of the store first. Most Rite Aid locations that sell newspapers will display them prominently near the registers or entrance. If you don‘t see them there, chances are that store doesn‘t carry papers.
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Ask an employee. If you‘re unsure whether a particular Rite Aid sells newspapers, it never hurts to ask a staff member. They can often point you in the right direction or check the store‘s inventory.
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Call ahead. If you‘re looking for a specific newspaper, you can try calling the Rite Aid location in advance to ask if they have it in stock. This can save you a wasted trip if they don‘t carry it.
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Check the weekly ad. Rite Aid publishes a weekly circular advertisement both in print and online. While it won‘t list every product in the store, it can give you a sense of what types of items that location focuses on.
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Consider alternatives. If your local Rite Aid doesn‘t have the newspaper you want, try checking other nearby retailers like supermarkets, bookstores, convenience stores, or gas stations. You can also look into subscribing directly with the newspaper for home delivery or digital access.
As a picky shopper, I always recommend calling ahead or checking a store‘s website before making a special trip for a specific item. While it‘s certainly convenient to pick up a newspaper while you‘re already at Rite Aid for other purchases, I wouldn‘t rely on it as your primary source unless you‘ve confirmed they consistently carry what you need.
The Future of Newspapers at Rite Aid
So what does the future hold for newspaper sales at Rite Aid? It‘s tough to say for certain, but a few factors suggest that print newspapers will likely continue to be a shrinking category for the drugstore chain.
First, there‘s the overall decline in newspaper circulation and print advertising revenue that we‘ve already discussed. As fewer people subscribe to or buy print papers, retailers like Rite Aid may decide it‘s not worth dedicating shelf space to a low-margin, low-volume product.
Second, Rite Aid‘s recent acquisition by Albertsons could lead to changes in its merchandise mix and store layout. Albertsons is primarily a grocery store chain, so it‘s possible that the combined company will focus more on expanding food and beverage offerings at Rite Aid locations rather than newspapers and magazines.
Finally, there‘s the continued shift to digital news consumption, which shows no signs of slowing down. As more customers get their news online or via mobile apps, the demand for print newspapers is likely to keep falling.
However, it‘s worth noting that some newspapers have started experimenting with new distribution models that could keep them in drugstores like Rite Aid. For example, the Chicago Tribune recently launched a new rack program that allows retailers to carry the paper at no charge and earn a commission on each copy sold. If this model catches on, it could give newspapers a new way to maintain their presence in retail locations.
Ultimately, the future of newspaper sales at Rite Aid and other drugstores will depend on a complex mix of factors, including consumer preferences, industry trends, and corporate strategies. As a frequent Rite Aid shopper and newspaper reader myself, I‘ll be keeping a close eye on how this category evolves in the years to come.
The Bottom Line
So, does Rite Aid sell newspapers? The answer is yes – but not at every location and not always with the most robust selection. As a picky shopper and retail expert, my advice is to manage your expectations and have a backup plan if you‘re counting on Rite Aid for your daily news fix.
While some Rite Aid stores (particularly in larger cities) may offer a solid selection of local and national newspapers, others have greatly reduced or totally eliminated their newspaper offerings in response to declining demand. And compared to drugstore rivals like CVS and Walgreens, Rite Aid generally has the least consistent newspaper selection.
That said, if you happen to be at Rite Aid for other shopping anyway, it‘s always worth checking the front of the store to see if they have the paper you want. You may just get lucky and save yourself an extra stop. And if you‘re a fan of magazines too, you can often find a good selection and earn rewards points on your purchases.
But for the most reliable and comprehensive newspaper shopping experience, you‘re probably better off checking a dedicated newsstand, bookstore, or the newspaper‘s own website first. And don‘t be afraid to experiment with digital subscriptions or home delivery if you want guaranteed access to your favorite papers.
Ultimately, the newspaper industry is in a period of major transition, and retailers like Rite Aid are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. But for those of us who still enjoy the ritual of reading a physical paper with our morning coffee, it‘s good to know that drugstores can still be a convenient source – even if it takes a little extra planning and persistence to get our hands on the day‘s headlines.
