DISCUSSION

Weight Loss Adds Up to Niche for Rite Aid

January 2, 2007Written by George Anderson

For some consumers, you can forget Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, et al. When they want to lose weight, they're heading straight for Rite Aid.

Last September, the drugstore chain announced a deal to open in-store medical clinics run by Lindora Medical Clinics. The twist in this case, however, was that consumers visiting the clinics would have the option of participating in medically supervised weight loss programs.

In addition to programs developed for adults seeking to lose weight, the Lindora clinics inside Rite Aid stores also offer tailored programs for adolescent and geriatric weight control.

Now, Rite Aid and Lindora are looking to help New Year resolution-makers with an online program dubbed the Rite Weigh Challenge. The program offers participants the hope that they may lose up to 10 percent of their total weight within 10 weeks.

Participants in the program have access to sample menus and daily action programs to help them achieve their goals. There are live online seminars and recorded audio messages to inspire consumers to stick with it.

In stores, consumers can join the Rite Weigh Challenge and pickup a free travel size planner that offers an outline of the 10-week weight loss plan along with an exercise plan.

Upon completing the program, participants can sign up in a sweepstakes program that will provide five winners their choice of a $500 Rite Aid Gift Card, a $500 SpaFinder Gift Certificate or a one-year membership to Bally Total Fitness.

Discussion Questions: What are your thoughts on Rite Aid's weight loss program initiative and what it means for the drugstore chain in its competition with others in the retail pharmacy space? Should Rite Aid look to aggressively expand in-store clinics offering medically supervised weight loss programs?

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