As Rite Aid and Albertsons work through their merger, they are touting growth potential and the ability to compete with retailers Walmart, CVS Health, Walgreens Boots Alliance and grocer Kroger on a national level. Combined, Albertsons and Rite Aid say the proposed new company will have $82 billion in sales, ranking fifth behind Walmart, which at No. But the companies stressed Rite Aid and Albertsons many grocery brands will be strongest on the West Coast and in the Northeastern U.S. with opportunities to grow in markets where they are strong. As one example, Rite Aid said it hasn’t yet applied to sell Medicare Part D drug benefits to seniors in California but plans to do so. “There’s the potential for more opportunities,” Rite Aid chief operating officer Kermit Crawford said.

Source: Forbes May 15, 2018 18:04 UTC