FEATURE/Spectacular Styles and Trendy Treats Fill Rite Aid Stores This Halloween; Whether A Ghoul or A Fool, Halloween Filled With Fun & Fantasy.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

FEATURES...

CAMP HILL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Oct. 11, 2001

Want to give visitors and trick-or-treaters a warm welcome this Halloween? Going to a masquerade and need a magnificent look? Kids clamoring at the door for candy? Whether it's creating the perfect costume, decorating your home or stocking your candy bowl this year Rite Aid drugstores are helping adults and kids celebrate Halloween.

"Halloween continues to be our fastest growing holiday and we expect that trend to continue this year," said Marty Tassoni, senior vice president of buying for Rite Aid. "In light of recent events, we see people wanting to celebrate in a more fun and upbeat way. Light hearted masks, heroic and happy costumes, bright glittering make-up and home decor items that make the home warm and cheerful are going to be hot sellers this year."

Here are just some of the latest items Rite Aid expects to be popular this Halloween:

Heroic & Happy is Hot--Whether it's Cinderella or Snow White, Superman or Spiderman, Tigger or Buzz Lightyear, more people want to see costumes that make them smile this Halloween.

Incredible Inflatables--This year, be the envy of all your neighbors. In five minutes flat you can inflate a giant six or eight-foot glowing pumpkin or ghost so trick-or-treaters will know exactly where to stop for the tastiest treats on the block.

Cutting Edge Candy--Try this innovative new candy idea: lollipops that leave a tattoo of a pumpkin on the tip of your tongue--much less painful than the real thing! Maybe chocolate covered eyeballs are up your alley. Not feeling so gutsy? Chocolate candy like Snickers, M&M's and Hershey's Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are still tried and true favorites. Whatever your candy pleasure, the growing trend is jumbo-sized variety bags of candy. Buy it, bring it home, rip it open and you're ready for the trick-or-treaters.

Greet & Treat Friends--Greet the gremlins with these friendly three-foot Halloween characters that stand on the porch, in the path, along the drive or in the yard. Whether it's a ghost, pumpkin, skeleton, witch or all four, these warm and happy characters will welcome any guest to your home.

Safety with Style--Want to make sure the kids are safe while they're sneaking around the neighborhood? Give them a jack-o-lantern bowl with flashlight eyes for collecting their candy. Switch the pumpkin on and cars and other pedestrians will easily spot your little gremlin.

Light the Way--Lights are not just for Christmas anymore. Halloween lights in brilliant colors of orange and purple can be purchased in a string, tube or even in the pre-made shape of a pumpkin or ghost. This year, homeowners are decorating their front lawn, walkways, doors & windows with whatever will make their home warm and inviting.

Playful Plush--Sing along, laugh along with these unique plush toys. A black cat wails out an eerie meow. Seconds later its head spins around in a surprising 360-degree twist. Pumpkins and ghosts wiggle and sing a Halloween version of "When You're Smiling," and a Flying Purple People Eater sings the original song.

Glitter & glow makeup--Whether you plan to be an ugly old witch or a flashy 70's disco star, try this Halloween's make-up trend: glitter & glow makeup. Glitter up your face or make it glow in the dark: either way, you're sure to be seen at the Halloween party, whether it's dark or bright.

Bearded Beauties--This Halloween might be a little hairier than last year. Especially with these lifelike rubber masks with lots of long locks and accentuated features like long noses and wrinkled faces.

The Skeleton Bride & Groom Return . . . with New Friends--Popular favorites from last year, the singing skeleton bride and groom (36 inch stand-ups) have again returned to Rite Aid. This time, they've picked up two new pals Frankenstein & a grizzly werewolf. All four sing a ghostly tune and are motion activated for an element of surprise.

Associates at Rite Aid's nearly 3,600 nationwide stores hope to get kids in the Halloween spirit with a Halloween coloring contest. Coloring blanks with a spell-casting wizard are currently available at all Rite Aid Stores. Entries, which must be completed by October 21, 2001, will be posted in each store. One winner will be picked from each store and will receive a free sticker book and stickers.

Rite Aid is also participating in a Harry Potter promotion with Coca-Cola. Customers can pick up a mail-in entry blank at the Coke display at any Rite Aid store location. One winner will receive an all expense paid Hogwarts Castle Adventure for two in Great Britain including airfare and lodging. Other prizes include movie cash certificates and free Coca-Cola products.

Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with annual revenues of more than $14 billion and approximately 3,600 stores in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.