CAMP HILL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rite Aid Corporation announced today plans to build a 900,000 square foot distribution center in Spartanburg, S.C. The new distribution center will employ nearly 600 people after it becomes fully operational and will support the inventory and fulfillment needs of approximately 1,000 Rite Aid stores in the southeastern United States. The Spartanburg distribution center, a $90 million project, will be Rite Aid’s first new distribution facility in 15 years.
“Rite Aid’s decision to build a new distribution center in Spartanburg County is a tremendous reason to celebrate,” said South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. “This $90 million investment that will create hundreds of jobs in the Upstate will make a real difference in the local community. We welcome Rite Aid to the South Carolina family and look forward to watching them succeed here for many years to come.”
“Spartanburg is an ideal location for our new distribution center,” said John Standley, Rite Aid chairman and CEO. “We thank the state of South Carolina for their cooperation and support during our site selection process and we look forward to breaking ground on our new facility which will help us to further optimize our supply chain and better serve our stores and customers across the Southeast.”
In April 2014, after a comprehensive review of its supply chain and logistics network, Rite Aid announced its plan to consolidate three of its existing distribution centers, located in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Poca W.Va., into one new facility, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve operating efficiency across the company.
Added South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt, “Having such a successful, nationally recognized company, like Rite Aid, select South Carolina for a major distribution operation is a testament to the business-friendly reputation our state has earned. Congratulations to Rite Aid and Spartanburg County on this exciting news.”
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project. Additionally, the South Carolina Power Team, in conjunction with Broad River Electric Cooperative, committed a $550,000 grant for infrastructure in support of the project.
Rite Aid is working with Johnson Development Associates, a leading real estate development firm based in Spartanburg, on the project.
Information on employment opportunities at Rite Aid’s new facility in Spartanburg will be made available in the second half of 2015. Currently, Rite Aid employs nearly 1,400 and operates 95 stores in South Carolina.
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 2014 annual revenues of $25.5 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and community development. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. South Carolina ranked first in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Location International reports in both 2012 and 2013. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
