Stores like Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc. primarily exist - to me at least and I think to many - to fill prescriptions. The pharmacy segment accounts for around 65-70% of Rite Aid's revenue. I think the stores are closing because the costs of prescriptions keep going up, insurance is paying less, and the people who depend on those prescriptions are going elsewhere; Amazon, Walmart, etc.

If drug costs were lower then we would see more independent pharmacies, and probably more chains, but in this economy..