Most large retailers have to deal with disgruntled customers and the occasional bad press but Rite Aid is facing a much more serious situation in New Jersey.
The state's Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs has filed a suit against the chain alleging 42 of its 159 New Jersey stores sold expired products, including non-prescription drugs, infant formula and baby food. It is also charged with selling product at higher prices than marked on store shelves.
Attorney General Stuart Rabner said in a released statement, "It is unconscionable that a store would sell expired merchandise - especially infant formula, baby food and nonprescription medications - to unsuspecting consumers who rely on these products for the care and welfare of their loved ones. The behavior of these stores is even more egregious because they had previously agreed not to engage in any such violations and cease and desist from selling expired products."
A spokesperson for Rite Aid, Jody Cook, said the company has ordered stores to remove any outdated merchandise immediately.
"We have always had policies in place to not have outdated products on our shelves," said Ms. Cook. "We're retraining all our stores on all our policies on these matters."
Discussion Question: How does Rite Aid proceed considering the amount of press attention it has received over this story in the New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York areas?