-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LTI1DehjG5Qay5/8LzeaTDKf3xw2m2hkNA/EU9taHPl36FDJBt7uEea7p5HwprTM
 kFqmIXx86FXDKZf1e4yypw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001339177-05-000002.txt : 20050922
<SEC-HEADER>0001339177-05-000002.hdr.sgml : 20050922
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050922140112
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001339177-05-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050921
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050922
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050922

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RITE AID CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000084129
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-DRUG STORES AND PROPRIETARY STORES [5912]
		IRS NUMBER:				231614034
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0302

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		30 HUNTER LANE
		CITY:			CAMP HILL OWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17011
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7177612633

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 3165
		CITY:			HARRISBURG
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17105

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	RACK RITE DISTRIBUTORS
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19680510

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	LEHRMAN LOUIS & CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19680510

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SYMS MARCY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001090479
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05742
		FILM NUMBER:		051097773

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2019029600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 SYMS WAY
		CITY:			SECAUCUS
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07094
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-09-21</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000084129</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RITE AID CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RAD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001090479</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SYMS MARCY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1 SYMS WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SECAUCUS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07094</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Marcy Syms, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-09-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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