Rite Aid Pulls Out All the Stops to Celebrate the Season of Love

Americans Expected to Spend $17.3 Billion this Valentine’s Day According to National Retail Federation

CAMP HILL, Pa. (Feb. 4, 2014) – With 4,600 convenient locations nationwide, Rite Aid is making it easy to celebrate the season of love. From now through Feb. 14, store shelves are filled with cuddly plush friends, decadently delicious treats and fun novelty gifts. No matter the sentiment you’re looking for Cupid to deliver, visit Rite Aid and find everything you need for the perfect Valentine’s Day.

According to the National Retail Federation’s 2014 Valentine’s Day spending survey, 54 percent of Americans will celebrate the holiday this year, with the average person planning to spend $133.91 on candy, cards, gifts, dinner and more. Though consumers plan to keep budgets in check, total spending is expected to reach $17.3 billion.

“Rite Aid has a wide selection of affordable gifts, making us a one-stop-shop this season,” said Tony Montini, Rite Aid’s executive vice president of merchandising. “And whether Cupids are shopping ahead of time or last-minute, with their wellness+ card, they’re guaranteed to save on their Valentine’s Day purchases.”

Rite Aid is making it easy for Cupids everywhere to avoid heartbreaks and breaking the budget this Valentine’s Day thanks to:

Chocolate-Covered and Candy-Coated Feelings
Win over your sweetheart’s heart with a treat as sweet as them! Rite Aid has a large assortment of Valentine’s treats. Pick from classics like conversation hearts, red, pink and white M&Ms or HERSHEY’S Kisses in a variety of flavors. Make a statement with a romantic heart-shaped box filled with premium chocolates from Whitman’s or Russell Stover’s or gourmet offerings from Lindt, Godiva or Ghirardelli, a variety perfect for all consumers. Or show your affection with several chocolate varieties as chocolate roses and Valentine candy favorites start at just $0.99.

Whimsical Arrangements
Starting Feb. 12, most Rite Aid stores will be stocked with fresh-cut flowers. Personally pick from our selection of timeless red roses only $19.99 a dozen, or choose from one of our elegant bouquets filled with an assortment of red, pink and white flowers ranging in price from $9.99 to $14.99.

Loveable Plush
Choose from more than two-dozen cuddly plush, all under $19.99, including Dancing and Singing ‘Wild About You’ Gorillas, Giant Love Puppies, a 33.5-inch Frog or Sweet Soft Teddy Bears offered in many colors and sizes. Always a holiday favorite, the Valentine’s Day-inspired Beanie Boos with puppy-dog eyes, sure to melt any heart.

Sweet Sentiments
With Valentine’s Day being the second largest card sending holiday with more than 145 million greetings sent, show your valentine just how much you care with words. Thanks to American Greetings and Papyrus, Rite Aid offers a large selection of greeting cards fit for anyone you’re looking to spread a little love to this season. From romantic to humorous, musical and more, Rite Aid’s collection is sure to have the perfect card to help you express your feelings.

And for the Cupid that plans ahead, this Valentine’s Day, add a personal touch to your sweetheart’s surprise with a photo gift. Check out Rite Aid’s photo center and choose from a variety of personalized gifts including iPhone and iPad cases, mousepads, photo books, keychains and more.

Young Love
For the school-time, puppy love, kids will enjoy the selection of Valentine boxed cards for classroom exchanges designed with characters from the new-hit movie Frozen, Monsters Inc., Disney Princesses, Avengers and Hello Kitty. Or send your kids off with a treat to share with the class by choosing from one of our Fun Dip Valentines, Spongebob Candy Card Kits or Skittles pouches containing assorted stickers and cards for the teacher.

Romantic Novelties
For the last-minute shoppers, Rite Aid shelves are stocked with a large selection of new Valentine novelty gifts including glass plaques with romantic sayings, sentimental carousel music boxes, heart-shaped photo frames with loving verses, Valentine’s day animal figurines and an extensive luxury line of gift bags.

Gift That Keeps On Giving
Rite Aid hosts a selection of nearly 200 gift cards each with varying denominations. Customers are guaranteed to find the perfect gift card for their valentine. For him, a gift card to one of his favorite restaurants like LongHorn Steakhouse or Buffalo Wild Wings, coupled with a Nike or Cabela’s gift card. For her, start with a relaxing afternoon at the spa courtesy of a Spa Week gift card and finish with a gift card to her favorite store, like Banana Republic, Macy’s or Bath and Body Works. And to really impress your Valentine, plan ahead for a future date by picking up gift cards for coffee and a movie, courtesy of Starbucks, Regal Cinemas, AMC Theatres or even Fandango.

#Wheresthelove Contest
This year, Rite Aid wants to know where the love is! Rite Aid’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram friends and followers are invited to share their Valentine’s Day moments through pictures and posts using the hashtag #Wheresthelove. From now until Valentine’s Day, Rite Aid will share some of the best responses, as well as, award six random prizes, including the grand prize of free Häagen-Dazs ice cream for one year!

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2013 annual revenues of $25.4 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at http://www.riteaid.com/.

SOURCE: Rite Aid