CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. today announced that the registration statement on Form S-4, in connection with its proposed merger with Albertsons Cos., has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In connection with the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, Rite Aid issued a letter to shareholders detailing the merits of the proposed merger with Albertsons and recommending shareholders vote for the transaction. In addition, the company launched a dedicated transaction website,www.riteaid-albertsons.com, containing information about the transaction.

Rite Aid will mail its proxy statement/prospectus which includes important information about the proposed transaction and voting instructions to shareholders of record as of June 22, 2018. The proxy statement/prospectus is also available at www.riteaid-albertsons.com, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and Rite Aid’s investor relations website at www.riteaid.com/corporate/investor-relations.

As previously announced, the Special Meeting of Rite Aid shareholders is scheduled to be held on August 9, 2018 at 8:30 am. (EST) at the office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, 4 Times Square, New York, NY 10036. Rite Aid shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 22, 2018 are entitled to, among other things, consider and vote on a proposal to approve the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 18, 2018 (the “Merger Agreement”), with Albertsons.

Consummation of the merger remains subject to various closing conditions, including but not limited to the approval of the Merger Agreement by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Rite Aid stock entitled to vote on the merger. The merger is expected to be completed in the second half of the 2018 calendar year.

The full letter to shareholders is available at https://bit.ly/2N0iaPI