Rite Aid, the prominent U.S. pharmacy chain, is reportedly considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time following its initial filing in October 2023. This move highlights the company's continued struggle with substantial financial losses and ongoing legal challenges.
The pharmacy chain has encountered severe financial difficulties, reporting over $1 billion in losses leading up to its first bankruptcy declaration. Since that filing, Rite Aid has shuttered roughly 520 store locations across numerous states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California, as part of its restructuring efforts. The company also faces multiple lawsuits related to its alleged role in the opioid crisis, which have resulted in settlements and ongoing legal proceedings.
In a bid to navigate these financial troubles, Rite Aid has been exploring potential sales of parts or all of its business operations to avoid a second bankruptcy filing. The potential for additional store closures and operational changes raises concerns about job cuts, although specific details have yet to be released. Notably, Rite Aid has not yet issued any public comments regarding these recent reports. Reuters has covered these developments extensively.