CVS Pharmacy Vs Rite Aid Pharmacy

Because there is a CVS Pharmacy located almost directly across the street from my apartment building, I tend to visit and shop there qquite often. I really like the cleanliness of the store, the large selection of items that are always available and the great prices and friendly service that are always offered there. A couple of days ago, I had the opportunity to shop at a Rite Aid Pharmacy for the first time in several years. While I was impressed with the ample selection of items on sale there, I did not feel as comfortable as I do while shopping at CVS Pharmacy.

I was unfamiliar with the layout of the store and did not know where to find most of the items that I was looking for. Of course, I am familiar with the layout of my local CVS Pharmacy and had never been in the Rite Aid Pharmacy that I visited. I noticed many similarities between the two stores, yet at the same time, I also noticed many differences. Presented here, is an article which compares CVS Pharmacy to Rite Aid Pharmacy.

Number of Stores / History
CVS Pharmacy was founded in 1963. As of 2009, this retail chain maintains more than 6,900 stores in 44 American states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Rite Aid Pharmacy was founded in 1962. As of 2009, this retail chain maintains more than 4,900 stores in 31 American states and the District of Columbia.

Departments
Both CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid Pharmacy feature many different departments, or sections in their retail stores. At CVS Pharmacy these include Diet & Nutrition, Home Medical, Natural & Organic, Personal Care, Baby & Child, Medicine Cabinet, Beauty, Household, Sexual Health, Vitamins, Skin Care and others.

Most Rite Aid Pharmacies feature the following departments ; Diet & Fitness, Baby & Mom, Vitamins, Clearance, Contact Lenses, Home Medical, Personal are, Men's, Medicine Cabinet, Food & Gourmet, Household & Pets, Hair Care, Oral Care, Sexual Well - Being, Makeup ^ Accessories and more.

Selection Of Merchandise
CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid Pharmacy each offer large selections of merchandise. Some types of products, CVS Pharmacy seems to carry more of a selection of, while Rite Aid Pharmacy offers more of a selection of other items. Each store groups and displays items in ways that make sense, but I think that it is generally easier to find specific items at CVS Pharmacy. Another thing that I like about CVS Pharmacy is that they seem to feature more store - brand products than do Rite Aid Pharmacy. In my humble opinion, CVS Pharmacy also stocks and sells more inexpensively - priced products, especially food items.

Prices
As stated above, I personally think that CVS Pharmacy stocks and sells more inexpensively - priced products than Rite Aid Pharmacy. That does not mean however, that Rite Aid Pharmacy does not offer many bargains. I've noticed that Rite Aid Pharmacy often sells soda, health and beauty aids, kitchen and household goods at substantial savings, sometimes cheaper than at CVS Pharmacy. When all factors are considered, however, I would have to say that the prices charged at CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid Pharmacy are quite comparable.

Customer Service
From my own experience, I find that the customer service offered at both CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid Pharmacy to be very comparable, but I think that it is quite often easier to find a helpful store employee at CVS Pharmacy. A very big factor in customer service that CVS Pharmacy offers over Rite AidPharmacy is their program of "Extra Bucks", which offers customers 2% back on their total purchases each month, when they use their CVS Pharmacy card. This rebate, if you willl, is presented to CVS customers each month in the form of a cash register receipt.

Cleanliness
Both CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid Pharmacy consistently offer customers clean and well - stocked retail outlets that are always well - maintained. Floors and walls at these stores are always clean and the various products on display are consistently dust - free. Also, employees at these pharmacy giants are normally clean and professional - appearing.

Overall Rating
CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid Pharmacy are both excellent pharmacy chains that regularly stock and sell wide varieties of merchandise. Both stores feature very good pharmacy sections and their prices are generally competitive. Shopping at CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid Pharmacy is highly recommended by this consumer writer.

Sources :
Personal shopping experience with shopping at these pharmacies
www.cvs.com
www.riteaid.com