Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

RITE AID CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

o

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
         
  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
         
  (5) Total fee paid:
         

o

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

(1)

 

Amount Previously Paid:
        
 
  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
         
  (3) Filing Party:
         
  (4) Date Filed:
         

Table of Contents

LOGOLOGO

June 7, 2019
Dear Fellow Stockholders:

        On behalf of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid" or the "Company"), I want to take this opportunity to invite you to attend our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m., local time, on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at the office of Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, Four Times Square, New York, NY 10036. At the meeting, stockholders will vote on the proposals set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting and the accompanying proxy statement.

        At Rite Aid, we remain focused on taking actions to best position the Company to create long-term value for stockholders. These include actions to use our unique capabilities to help payors deliver a high level of care to patients, to re-imagine our front end to offer the selection of products and services that meet the needs of our target customers and to transform our processes and procedures to ensure strong cost discipline and achieve peak operational efficiency.

        Our actions to create long-term value for stockholders include our efforts to enhance the quality of our Board by bringing in fresh perspectives and valuable expertise and experience. A majority of Rite Aid directors have joined the Board in the past eight months, with Bob Knowling, Lou Miramontes and Arun Nayar joining in October 2018 and Busy Burr and Kate Quinn joining in April 2019. In addition to their wealth of knowledge and experience, these changes to our Board bring a diversity of thought, as well as enhance our Board's gender, racial, and ethnic diversity.

        As we have said previously, one of the Board's most important tasks is choosing the Company's Chief Executive Officer. In March, we announced a leadership transition and organizational restructuring to better align the structure and leadership of Rite Aid with its present scale. As part of this transition, we are currently in the process of searching for a new CEO. The Board recognizes the significance of this task and is conducting its process in a thoughtful and deliberate manner.

        Both before and since the 2018 Annual Meeting, we have increased our efforts to engage with many of our larger stockholders and we value the input they have provided. In response to votes held at the 2018 Annual Meeting and engagement thereafter, we have enhanced our corporate governance structures by requiring the separation of the Chairman of the Board and CEO positions and by providing stockholders with the right to call special meetings.

        With respect to executive compensation, we took steps to further align pay and performance, including increasing the emphasis on performance-based (rather than time-based) long-term incentives for fiscal 2019 and refining our peer group for fiscal 2020 to, among other things, remove industry peers that are no longer appropriate data points given their significantly larger scope of operations.

        We continue our efforts to ensure that Rite Aid's business is operated in a sustainable and socially responsible manner. In addition to moving forward on the sustainability and opioid-related reports that stockholders voted for at the 2018 Annual Meeting, in April 2019, we announced enhanced efforts to promote responsible access to tobacco products by increasing the age to purchase tobacco products to 21 and removing e-cigarettes and vaping products chain-wide. We are also continuing to enforce our chain-wide "ID All" policy that requires identification to purchase age-restricted items, including tobacco products. The Board continues to receive reports from management on sustainability and opioid-related matters.


Table of Contents

        As referenced above and described further in the accompanying proxy statement, we at Rite Aid have taken or are in the process of taking the actions that we said we would take—refreshing our Board, reinvigorating our corporate governance practices and policies, assessing management's performance, aligning pay for performance, overseeing the development of strategic initiatives, and being responsive to issues raised by our stockholders. We look forward to continuing to engage with you.

        Your vote is important to us. Please vote as soon as possible even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. We appreciate your continued ownership of Rite Aid shares and your support.

Sincerely,



GRAPHIC



Bruce G. Bodaken
Chairman of the Board

Refer to the section titled "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.


Table of Contents

LOGO

RITE AID CORPORATION
P.O. BOX 3165
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17105



NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on June 22, 2016July 17, 2019

To Our Stockholders:

What:

 Our 20162019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

When:

 

June 22, 2016July 17, 2019 at 8:30 a.m., local time

Where:

 

Office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, NY 10036

Why:

 

At this Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to:

   

1.

 

Elect nineeight directors to hold office until the 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;

   2. Ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm;

   3. Approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as presented in the proxy statement;

4.Consider and vote on a stockholder proposal, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting; and

   4.5. Transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

        The close of business on April 26, 2016June 6, 2019 has been fixed as the record date for determining those Rite Aid stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date will receive this notice of, and be eligible to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. The above items of business for the Annual Meeting are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.

        Your vote is important.    Please read the proxy statement and the instructions on the enclosed proxy card and then, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, and no matter how many shares you own, please submit your proxy promptly by telephone or via the Internet in accordance with the instructions on the enclosed proxy card, or by completing, dating and returning your proxy card in the envelope provided. This will not prevent you from voting in person at the Annual Meeting. It will, however, help to assure a quorum and to avoid added proxy solicitation costs.

        You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken by delivering to the Secretary of Rite Aid a written revocation or a proxy with a later date (including a proxy by telephone or via the Internet) or by voting your shares in person at the Annual Meeting, in which case your prior proxy would be disregarded.

 By order of the Board of Directors



GRAPHIC

 


GRAPHIC

James J. Comitale
Secretary
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
May 13, 2016June 7, 2019


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 Page 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

  1 

STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, MANAGEMENT TRANSITION, AND BOARD REFRESHMENT

7

PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

  79 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  79 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 20162019

  1925 

PROPOSAL NO. 2 RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

  2126 

PROPOSAL NO. 3 ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

  2227

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL

28

PROPOSAL NO. 4 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL—SEEKING A BY-LAW AMENDMENT FOR A 10% OWNERSHIP THRESHOLD FOR STOCKHOLDERS TO CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS

28 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

  2331 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

  2533 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

  2533 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

  4053 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

  4154

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019

55 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AND SEPARATION AGREEMENTS

  4556 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR 20162019 YEAR-END

  4757 

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 20162019

  4858 

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 20162019

  4858 

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

  4858

PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE

65 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

  5567 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

  5769 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

  5769 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

  57

CHANGES IN CONTROL

5970 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

  6071 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

  6072 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 20172020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

  6073 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

  6274 

OTHER MATTERS

  6274 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF STOCKHOLDER DOCUMENTS

  6274 

ANNUAL REPORT

  6275 

APPENDIX A: FINANCIAL MEASURESA

  
A-1

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  

i


Table of Contents

LOGOLOGO

RITE AID CORPORATION
P.O. BOX 3165
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17105



PROXY STATEMENT



FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on June 22, 2016July 17, 2019



Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Stockholder Meeting to be Held on June 22, 2016:July 17, 2019:

The proxy statement and annual report, as well as the Company's proxy card, are available at
www.proxyvote.com.



        This proxy statement is being furnished to you by the Board of Directors (the "Board" or "Board of Directors") of Rite Aid Corporation (the "Company" or "Rite Aid") to solicit your proxy to vote your shares at our 20162019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"). The Annual Meeting will be held on June 22, 2016July 17, 2019 at 8:30 a.m., local time, at the office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Four Times Square, New York, NY 10036.

        This proxy statement, the foregoing notice and the accompanying proxy card are first being made availablemailed on or about May 13, 2016June 7, 2019 to all holders of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share, entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. At Rite Aid and in this proxy statement, we refer to our employees as associates.


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

        Holders of Rite Aid common stock as of the close of business on the record date, April 26, 2016,June 6, 2019, will receive notice of, and be eligible to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the record date, Rite Aid had outstanding and entitled to vote 1,048,650,57553,828,701 shares of common stock. No other shares of Rite Aid capital stock are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

What matters will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

        There are threefour proposals that are scheduled to be considered and voted on at the Annual Meeting:


Table of Contents

        Stockholders will also be asked to consider and vote at the Annual Meeting on any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the


Table of Contents

Annual Meeting. At this time, the Board of Directors is unaware of any matters, other mattersthan those set forth above, that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

What are the Board's voting recommendations?

        The Board recommends that you vote "FOR" the nominees of the Board in the election of directors, "FOR" the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, and "FOR" the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers as presented in this proxy statement.statement, and "AGAINST" the stockholder proposal.

What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

        If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.,Corporate Issuer Services, you are considered the "stockholder of record" with respect to those shares.

        If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, those shares are held in "street name" and you are considered the "beneficial owner" of the shares. As the beneficial owner of those shares, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, or nominee how to vote your shares, and you will receive separate instructions from your broker, bank, or other holder of record describing how to vote your shares.

How can I vote my shares before the Annual Meeting?

        If you hold your shares in your own name, you may submit a proxy by telephone, via the Internet, or by mail.

        By casting your vote in any of the three ways listed above, you are authorizing the individuals listed on the proxy to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. You may also attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person.

        If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker, or other nominee, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow for your shares to be voted. The availability of telephonic or Internet voting will depend on the bank's, broker's, or broker'sother nominee's voting process. Please check with your bank, broker, or brokerother nominee and follow the voting procedures your bank, broker, or brokerother nominee provides to vote your shares. Also, please note that if the holder of record of


Table of Contents

your shares is a bank, broker, or other nominee and you wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must request a legal proxy from your bank, broker, or other nominee that holds your shares and present that proxy and proof of identification at the Annual Meeting; otherwise, you will not be able to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.


Table of Contents

If I am the beneficial owner of shares held in "street name" by my broker, will my broker automatically vote my shares for me?

        New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") rules applicable to brokers grant your broker discretionary authority to vote your shares without receiving your instructions on certain matters. Your broker has discretionary voting authority under NYSE rules to vote your shares on the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, unless you provide voting instructions to your broker, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on the election of directors, and the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers.officers, and the vote on the stockholder proposal.Accordingly, it is particularly important that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how they wish to vote their shares.

How will my shares be voted if I give my proxy but do not specify how my shares should be voted?

        If you provide specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions. If you hold shares in your name and sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted "FOR" the nominees of the Board in the election of directors, "FOR" the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, and "FOR" the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers.officers, and "AGAINST" the stockholder proposal.

Could other matters be decided at the Annual Meeting?

        At this time, we are unaware of any matters, other than those set forth above, that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy, or their duly constituted substitutes acting at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting, will be deemed authorized to vote or otherwise act on such matters in accordance with their judgment.

Who may attend the Annual Meeting?

        All stockholders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Persons who are not stockholders may attend only if invited by the Board of Directors. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in the name of your broker, bank, or other nominee, you must bring proof of ownership (e.g., a current broker's statement) in order to be admitted to the meeting. You can obtain directions to the Annual Meeting by contacting our Investor Relations Department at (717) 975-3710.

Can I vote in person at the Annual Meeting?

        Yes. If you hold shares in your own name as a stockholder of record, you may come to the Annual Meeting and cast your vote at the meeting by properly completing and submitting a ballot.If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in the name of your broker, bank, or other nominee, you must first obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank, or other nominee giving you the right to vote those shares and submit that proxy along with a properly completed ballot at the meeting; otherwise, you will not be able to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.


Table of Contents

How can I change my vote?

        You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by:


Table of Contents

        Any written notice of revocation, or later dated proxy, should be delivered to:

Rite Aid Corporation
30 Hunter Lane
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011
Attention: James J. Comitale, Secretary

        Alternatively, you may hand deliver a written revocation notice, or a later dated proxy, to the Secretary at the Annual Meeting before we begin voting.

        If your shares of Rite Aid common stock are held by a bank, broker, or other nominee, you must follow the instructions provided by the bank, broker, or other nominee if you wish to change your vote.

What is an "abstention" and how would it affect the vote?

        An "abstention" occurs when a stockholder sends in a proxy with explicit instructions to decline to vote regarding a particular matter. Abstentions are counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum. An abstention with respect to the election of directors is neither a vote cast "for" a nominee nor a vote cast "against" the nominee and, therefore, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Abstentions with respect to the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, and the advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers, and the vote on the stockholder proposal will have the same effect as voting "against" the proposal.

What is a broker "non-vote" and how would it affect the vote?

        A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee who holds shares for the beneficial owner is unable to vote those shares for the beneficial owner because the broker or other nominee does not have discretionary voting power for the proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. Brokers will have discretionary voting power to vote shares for which no voting instructions have been provided by the beneficial owner only with respect to the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. Brokers will not have such discretionary voting power to vote shares with respect to the election of directors, and the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers.officers, and the vote on the stockholder proposal. Shares that are the subject of a broker non-vote are included for quorum purposes, but a broker non-vote with respect to a proposal will not be counted as a vote cast and will not be counted as a vote represented at the meeting and entitled to vote and, consequently, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Accordingly, it is particularly important that beneficial owners of Rite Aid shares instruct their brokers how to vote their shares.


Table of Contents

What are the quorum and voting requirements for the proposals?

        In deciding the proposals that are scheduled for a vote at the Annual Meeting, each holder of common stock as of the record date is entitled to one vote per share of common stock. In order to take action on the proposals, a quorum, consisting of the holders of 524,325,28826,914,351 shares (a majority of the aggregate number of shares of Rite Aid common stock) issued and outstanding and entitled to vote as of the record date for the Annual Meeting, must be present in person or by proxy. This is referred to as a "quorum." Proxies marked "Abstain" and broker non-votes will be treated as shares that are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.


Table of Contents

        The affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of votes cast is required for the election of each director nominee named in Proposal No. 1. This means that the votes cast "for" that nominee must exceed the votes cast "against" that nominee. Any shares not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-vote or otherwise) will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. For more information on the operation of our majority voting standard, see the section entitled "Board of Directors—Corporate Governance—Majority Voting Standard and Policy."

        The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote is required for the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm in Proposal No. 2. Any shares represented and entitled to vote at the meeting and not voted (whether by abstention or otherwise) will have the same effect as a vote "against" the proposal.

        The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote is required for the approval of the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers in Proposal No. 3. Any shares represented and entitled to vote at the meeting and not voted (whether by abstention or otherwise) will have the same effect as a vote "against" the proposal. Any broker non-votes with respect to the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers will not be counted as shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote and, consequently, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

        The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote is required for the approval of the stockholder proposal in Proposal No. 4. Any shares represented and entitled to vote at the meeting and not voted (whether by abstention or otherwise) will have the same effect as a vote "against" the stockholder proposal. Any broker non-votes with respect to the stockholder proposal will not be counted as shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote and, consequently, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

What happens if a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting?

        If the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting are not sufficient to constitute a quorum, the stockholders by a vote of the holders of a majority of votes present in person or represented by proxy (which may be voted by the proxyholders) may, without further notice to any stockholder (unless a new record date is set), adjourn the meeting to a different time and place to permit further solicitations of proxies sufficient to constitute a quorum.


Table of Contents

Who will count the votes?

        Representatives of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will tabulate the votes and act as inspectors of election.

Who will conduct the proxy solicitation and how much will it cost?

        We are soliciting proxies from stockholders on behalf of our Board and will pay for all costs incurred by it in connection with the solicitation. In addition to solicitation by mail, the directors, officers and associates of Rite Aid and its subsidiaries may solicit proxies from stockholders of Rite Aid in person or by telephone, facsimile, or email without additional compensation other than reimbursement for their actual expenses.

        We have retained Morrow Sodali, LLC, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist us in the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting. Rite Aid will pay Morrow Sodali a fee of approximately $20,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

Arrangements also will be made with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial owners of stock held of record by such persons, and we will reimburse such custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the forwarding of solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of our stock.


Table of Contents

Why did I receive a "Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials" but no proxy materials?

        We distribute our proxy materials to certain stockholders via the Internet under the "Notice and Access" approach permitted by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This approach expedites stockholders' receipt of proxy materials while conserving natural resources and reducing our distribution costs. On May 13, 2016, we mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access the proxy materials on the Internet to participating stockholders.

        If you have any questions about voting your shares or attending the Annual Meeting, please call our Investor Relations Department at (717) 975-3710.


Table of Contents


STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, MANAGEMENT TRANSITION, AND BOARD REFRESHMENT

        Since the termination of the Albertsons transaction in August 2018 and following the 2018 Annual Meeting, we have engaged in enhanced stockholder outreach efforts. These efforts provided an opportunity for independent directors to hear from stockholders directly regarding their perspectives and concerns. In addition, management has communicated with many retail stockholders and received their feedback. We greatly value the insightful input about the Company that our stockholders have provided in these and other exchanges over the past ten months. The feedback from these efforts has been summarized, shared, and considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee and the full Board.

        Investors raised a number of concerns and the Board has taken significant steps to address these items. Specifically, the principal issues raised by our stockholders related to: (1) Board refreshment, (2) an evaluation of management, (3) corporate governance matters, and (4) the Company's sustainability efforts.

New Board Leadership and Composition

        In the course of our stockholder engagement meetings over the past ten months, stockholders expressed concerns regarding the lack of Board refreshment in recent years, as well as concerns regarding our Board governance. The Board reviewed its structure in light of the Company's current operating and governance environment and, effective at the 2018 Annual Meeting, Mr. Standley was succeeded as Chairman of the Board by Bruce G. Bodaken. Subsequently, in December 2018, the Board amended the Company's By-Laws to provide that the Chairman of the Board shall be a director who is independent under the NYSE listing standards and the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines.

        The Board has significantly accelerated its efforts to change the composition of the Board. As part of this process, at the 2018 Annual Meeting, three of the eight independent directors did not stand for reelection and the Board nominated three new independent directors. As a continuation of this process, two new directors were appointed by the Board following the resignation of two of our directors in April 2019. The five directors who have joined the Board over the past eight months will continue to bring fresh perspectives to the Board. In addition, Mr. Standley has not been nominated for reelection at the Annual Meeting.

        As a result of these changes in the Board's composition, the average tenure of our independent directors has decreased from approximately eight years prior to the 2018 Annual Meeting to approximately four years, with a relatively even distribution among new directors and directors of longer tenure. Through the Board refreshment process, the Board has increased the racial and ethnic diversity on the Board, with half of the Board being racially and ethnically diverse following the Annual Meeting. The Board also made gender diversity a priority as part of its most recent phase of its refreshment, resulting in more than one-third of our Board being women following the Annual Meeting.

Management Transition

        One of the Board's most important tasks is choosing the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Following the 2018 Annual Meeting, the Board continued to engage in rigorous and thoughtful evaluation and discussion regarding the Chief Executive Officer and other management positions. In March 2019, the Company announced a leadership transition and organizational restructuring to better align its structure with the Company's operations and to reduce costs. As part of the leadership transition, the Company announced that the Board would be commencing a search process for a new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Standley will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company until the appointment of his successor but has not been nominated for reelection to the Board at the


Table of Contents

Annual Meeting. The Company also announced additional management changes, which were effective in March 2019, and consolidated additional senior leadership roles that resulted in the elimination of certain positions.

Additional Corporate Governance Changes

        Since the 2018 Annual Meeting, the Board has considered and taken action with respect to certain corporate governance practices. In discussions with stockholders, some stockholders expressed a desire for Rite Aid stockholders to have the right to call a special meeting. In addition, our Nominating and Governance Committee has been monitoring trends and developments relating to special meeting rights. As a result of these discussions and trends, in April 2019, the Board amended the Company's By-Laws to permit special meetings of the stockholders of the Company to be called by stockholders holding at least 20% of the Company's common stock.

        At the 2018 Annual Meeting, stockholders approved a proposal requesting that Rite Aid prepare a sustainability report describing the Company's environmental, social and governance ("ESG") risks and opportunities. The Company anticipates that a report describing the Company's ESG risks and opportunities will be released prior to the Annual Meeting. Additional details regarding the Company's consideration of sustainability matters and the related business initiatives the Company has undertaken in recent years are described in the section entitled "Board of Directors—Sustainability."

        At the 2018 Annual Meeting, stockholders approved a proposal requesting that Rite Aid prepare a report describing the corporate governance changes the Company has implemented since 2012 to more effectively monitor and manage financial and reputational risks related to the opioid crisis. The Company anticipates that a report describing the Company's approach to oversight of opioid matters will be released by October 1, 2019. Additional details regarding the Company's oversight of opioid matters and the related business initiatives the Company has undertaken in recent years are described in the section entitled "Board of Directors—Opioid Matter Oversight."


Table of Contents


PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

General

        Our By-Laws provide that the Board of Directors may be composed of up to 15 members, with the number to be fixed from time to time by the Board. The Board has fixed the number of directors at nine,eight effective as of the Annual Meeting, and there are nineeight nominees for director at our Annual Meeting.

Director Nominees

        The Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, has nominated Joseph B. Anderson, Jr., Bruce G. Bodaken, David R. Jessick,Elizabeth 'Busy' Burr, Robert E. Knowling, Jr., Kevin E. Lofton, Myrtle S. Potter, Michael N. Regan, Frank A. Savage, John T. StandleyLouis P. Miramontes, Arun Nayar, Katherine Quinn, and Marcy Syms to be elected directors at the Annual Meeting. Each of the nominees for director to be elected at the Annual Meeting currently serves as a director of the Company. In selecting Mr. AndersonStandley will continue to serve as a nominee,Chief Executive Officer of the Board voted to waiveCompany until the requirement that a nomineeappointment of his successor but has not yet reachedbeen nominated for reelection at the age of 72 because of Mr. Anderson's extensive knowledge and experience, his valuable contributions as a Board member and his leadership as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee.Annual Meeting.

        Each director elected at the Annual Meeting will hold office until the 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each director elected at the Annual Meeting will serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.

        If any nominee at the time of election is unable or unwilling to serve or is otherwise unavailable for election, and as a consequence thereof other nominees are designated, then the persons named in the proxy or their substitutes will have the discretion and authority to vote or to refrain from voting for other nominees in accordance with their judgment.


RECOMMENDATION

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR"
THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

        The following table sets forth certain information as of April 26, 2016May 31, 2019 with respect to our director nominees. If elected, the term of each of the following person's termspersons will expire at the 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Name
 Age Position with Rite Aid Year First
Became
Director

John T. Standley

 53 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 2009

Joseph B. Anderson, Jr. 

 73 Director 2005

Bruce G. Bodaken

 64 Director 2013

David R. Jessick

 62 Director 2009

Kevin E. Lofton

 61 Director 2013

Myrtle S. Potter

 57 Director 2013

Michael N. Regan

 68 Director 2007

Frank A. Savage

 68 Director 2015

Marcy Syms

 65 Director 2005
Name
 Age Position with Rite Aid Year First
Became
Director
 
Bruce G. Bodaken  67 Chairman  2013 
Elizabeth 'Busy' Burr  57 Director  2019 
Robert E. Knowling, Jr.   63 Director  2018 
Kevin E. Lofton  64 Director  2013 
Louis P. Miramontes  64 Director  2018 
Arun Nayar  68 Director  2018 
Katherine Quinn  54 Director  2019 
Marcy Syms  68 Director  2005 

Table of Contents

Board Composition

        The Board is committed to ensuring that it is composed of a highly capable and diverse group of directors who are well-equipped to oversee the success of the business and effectively represent the interests of stockholders. In addition, the Board believes that having directors with a mix ofboth longer and shorter tenures on the Board helps transition the knowledge of the more experienced directors while providing a broad, fresh set of perspectives and a Board with a diversity of experiences and viewpoints. As discussed in the section entitled "Stockholder Engagement, Management Transition, and Board Refreshment" above, the Board has significantly accelerated its efforts to change the composition of the Board over the past eight months. All of the nominees of the Board are independent directors.

        As a result of these changes in the Board's composition, the average tenure of our independent directors has decreased from approximately eight years prior to the 2018 Annual Meeting to approximately four years, with a relatively even distribution among new directors and directors of longer tenure. In addition, half of the Board will be racially and ethnically diverse following the Annual Meeting. The Board also made gender diversity a priority as part of its most recent phase of its refreshment, resulting in more than one-third of our Board being women following the Annual Meeting.

Director TenureTenure*

Board Racial and Ethnic Diversity*


GRAPHICGRAPHIC


GRAPHIC


Board Gender DiversityDiversity*

Board Racial Diversity


GRAPHIC
GRAPHIC


GRAPHIC


*
The compositions depicted include calculations effective following the Annual Meeting.

        In assessing Board composition and selecting and recruiting director candidates, the Board seeks to maintain an engaged, independent Board with broad experience and judgment that is committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders. The Nominating and Governance Committee considers a wide range of factors, including the size of the Board, the experience and expertise of existing Board members, other positions the director candidate has held or holds (including other


Table of Contents

board memberships), and the candidate's independence. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee takes into account a candidate's ability to contribute to the diversity of background and experience represented on the Board, and it reviews its effectiveness in balancing these considerations when assessing the composition of the Board.


Table The Board and Nominating and Governance Committee will continue to evaluate the composition of Contentsthe Board as a whole as part of its ongoing refreshment in the coming year.

        Since the 2018 Annual Meeting, the Nominating and Governance Committee sought to continue the process of recruiting additional Board members whose qualifications align with the Company's refreshment process and long-term strategy. After considering a number of candidates and comprehensively reviewing these candidates' abilities and qualifications in sourcing candidates to fill the vacancies on the Board due to Joseph B. Anderson's and Michael N. Regan's resignations, the Nominating and Governance Committee recommended Busy Burr and Katherine Quinn for appointment to the Board. The Board appointed both candidates as directors in April 2019.

        The chart below summarizes the qualifications, attributes, and skills for each of our director nominees. The fact that we do not list a particular experience or qualification for a director nominee does not mean that nominee does not possess that particular experience or qualification.

Skills and Experience
 StandleyAndersonBodaken JessickBurrKnowling Lofton PotterMiramontes ReganNayar SavageQuinn Syms

Current/Former CEO

 X X XX

Management/Business Operations

XXXXXXXX

Retail Industry

   X       X

Management/Business Operations

 X X

Healthcare Industry

 X XXXXXX

Retail Industry

 X     X        XX

Healthcare IndustryFinance/Accounting

     X   XX    

Finance/Accounting

XX  X     XX  

Board/Corporate Governance

 X X X X X X X X X

Director Biographies

        Following are the biographies for our director nominees, including information concerning the particular experience, qualifications, attributes, or skills that led the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board to conclude that such person should serve on the Board:

        John T. Standley.    Mr. Standley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has been Chairman of the Board since June 21, 2012, Chief Executive Officer since June 2010 and was President from September 2008 until June 2013. Mr. Standley served as the Chief Operating Officer from September 2008 until June 2010. He also served as a consultant to Rite Aid from July 2008 to September 2008. From August 2005 through December 2007, Mr. Standley served as Chief Executive Officer and was a member of the Board of Directors of Pathmark Stores, Inc. From June 2002 to August 2005, he served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Rite Aid and, in addition, in January 2004 was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Rite Aid. He had served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Rite Aid from September 2000 to June 2002 and had served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Rite Aid from December 1999 until September 2000. Mr. Standley served on the SUPERVALU INC. Board of Directors from May 2013 to July 2015. Mr. Standley currently serves on the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Board of Directors and is a member of the Board's Executive Committee.

        As the Company's Chief Executive Officer, with more than 20 years of retail, financial and executive experience, Mr. Standley brings to the Board an in-depth understanding of all aspects of the Company, including its customers, operations and key business drivers. In addition, his experience serving as a chief financial officer of a number of companies, including the Company, provides the Board with additional insights into financial and accounting matters relevant to the Company's operations.

        Joseph B. Anderson, Jr.    Mr. Anderson has been the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of TAG Holdings, LLC, a manufacturing, service and technology business, since January 2002. Mr. Anderson was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Chivas Industries, LLC from 1994 to 2002. Mr. Anderson also serves as a director of Meritor, Inc. Mr. Anderson previously served as a director of NV Energy Inc. until December 2013, Valassis Communications, Inc. until February 2014 and Quaker Chemical Corporation until May 2016.

        Mr. Anderson has a broad base of experience, including 19 years of chief executive officer experience at manufacturing, service and technology companies. From this experience, Mr. Anderson brings an array of skills, including in the areas of strategic, business and financial planning and corporate development. In addition, his service on the boards of directors of a number of publicly-traded companies provides the Board with insights into how boards at other companies have addressed issues similar to those faced by the Company.


Table of Contents

Bruce G. Bodaken.    From 2000 through December 2012,    Mr. Bodaken served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Shield of California.California from 2000 through 2012. Previously, Mr. Bodaken also previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Shield of California from 1995 to 2000, and as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1994 to 1995. Prior to joining Blue Shield of California, Mr. Bodaken served as Senior Vice President and Associate Chief Operating Officer of F.H.P., Inc., a managed care provider, from 1990 to 1994 and held various positions at F.H.P. from 1980 to 1990, including Regional Vice President.1990. Currently, Mr. Bodaken sits on the board of WageWorks, Inc., and is currentlya member of its audit committee. He is also a director and a member of the audit committeeCompensation Committee of WageWorks,iRhythm Technologies, Inc. He also has a Visiting Scholar appointment at the Brookings Institution and is a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Public Health at UC Berkeley.

        Mr. Bodaken brings to the Board an in-depth knowledge of the health insurance and managed care industries and more than 20 years of executive leadership skills.

        David R. Jessick.Busy Burr.    Self-employed since 2005, Mr. JessickMs. Burr most recently served as the chief innovation officer and vice president of healthcare trend and innovation at Humana where she was responsible for driving the design, build and adoption of new product platforms in digital health, provider experience, and telemedicine to improve health outcomes, create superior member experiences, and improve health care costs. She also founded Humana's strategic investing practice, Humana Health Ventures. Prior to joining Humana in 2015, Ms. Burr was managing director of Citi Ventures and led large-scale business transformation efforts as the global head of Citi's Business Incubation Function-DesignWorks. Earlier in her career, Ms. Burr spent seven years in investment banking at Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse First Boston and previously served as vice president of global brand management at Gap, Inc. Ms. Burr holds an MBA


Table of Contents

from Stanford University and a consultantbachelor's degree in Economics from Smith College. Ms. Burr serves on the Boards of Mr. Cooper Group and Satellite Healthcare and is a member of the Smith College Business Network Advisory Board.

        Ms. Burr brings to Rite Aid'sthe Board extensive experience in the health industry, innovation, business strategy and brand management. Her experience and insights in these areas are directly relevant to the Company's business.

        Robert E. Knowling, Jr.    Mr. Knowling is currently Chairman of Eagles Landing Partners, which specializes in helping senior management formulate strategy, lead organizational transformations, and re-engineer businesses. Mr. Knowling also serves as an advisor-coach to chief executive officers. Mr. Knowling previously served as Chief Executive Officer and senior financial staffof Telwares, a JP Morgan Chase/One Equity Partners Private Equity-owned company from July 2002 until February 2005 andto 2009. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Knowling was SeniorChief Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer of Rite Aid from December 1999the New York City Leadership Academy, an independent nonprofit corporation created by Chancellor Joel I. Klein and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg that is chartered with developing the next generation of principals in the New York City public school system. From 2001 to July 2002. From July 1998 to June 1999,2003, Mr. JessickKnowling was Executive Vice President, FinanceChairman and Investor Relations of Fred Meyer, Inc., and from February 1997 to July 1998, Mr. Jessick was Chief FinancialExecutive Officer of Fred Meyer,SimDesk Technologies, Inc. From 1979Prior to 1996, he held various financial positions including Executive Vicethis, Mr. Knowling was Chairman, President and Chief FinancialExecutive Officer at Thrifty Payless Holdings,of Covad Communications, a Warburg Pincus Private Equity-backed start-up company. Mr. Knowling currently serves on the board of directors of K12 Inc. and Roper Technologies Inc. Mr. Jessick began his career as a Certified Public Accountant for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. Mr. Jessick is currently a director and audit committee chairman of Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation. In addition, heKnowling previously served as a director of DFC Global Corp. fromConvergys Corporation until 2018, Ariba, Inc. until 2012, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. until 2015, Hewlett-Packard Company until 2005, to 2014.and The Immune Response Corporation until 2005.

        Mr. JessickKnowling brings over 33 years of retail, executive and financial experience to the Board. His familiarity with our businessBoard extensive experience in executive management and hisleadership roles, including experience as a chief financial officer provide useful insights into operationalleading companies through periods of high growth and financial matters relevant to the Company's business.organizational turnaround. In addition, his service on other boards of directors of a number of publicly-traded companies enables Mr. JessickKnowling to share insights with the Board regarding corporate governance best practices.

        Kevin E. Lofton.    Mr. Lofton has served as thewas named Chief Executive Officer of Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health ("CSH"), effective February 1, 2019. CSH is the result of a merger between Catholic Health Initiatives ("CHI"), a healthcare system operating and Dignity Health. With $29 billion in revenues, CSH is one of the full continuum of services from hospitals to homelargest health agencies nationwide since 2003delivery systems in the United States. Mr. Lofton joined CHI in 1998 and served as President and CEO of CHI from 2003 throughuntil January 2014.2019. Mr. Lofton previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the University of Alabama atUAB Hospital in Birmingham Hospital and Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Mr. Lofton is also a director and member of the audit and compensation committees of Gilead Sciences, Inc.

        Mr. Lofton brings to the Board an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the healthcare industry and valuable executive leadership skills from senior management and leadership roles in healthcare systems and hospitals.

        Myrtle S. Potter.Louis P. Miramontes.    Ms. Potter has served since 2005 as the Chief Executive Officer of Myrtle Potter & Company, LLC, a private consulting firm she founded, andMr. Miramontes worked at KPMG LLP from 20091976 to 2014, aswhere he served in many leadership roles, including Managing Partner of the Chief Executive OfficerSan Francisco office and Senior Partner for KPMG's Latin American region. Mr. Miramontes was also an audit partner directly involved with providing audit services to public and private companies, which included working with client boards of Myrtle Potter Media, Inc., a consumer healthcare content company she founded. Ms. Potter previously served at Genentech, Inc., as President of Commercial Operations from 2004 to 2005directors and as Executive Vice President, Commercial Operationsaudit committees regarding financial reporting, auditing matters, SEC compliance, and Chief Operating Officer from 2000 to 2004. From 1998 to 2000 Ms. Potter served as President of Bristol-Myers Squibb, Inc.'s Cardiovascular Metabolic U.S. operations. Ms. PotterSarbanes-Oxley regulations. Mr. Miramontes currently serves as a director of Liberty Mutual Holding Company, Inc., Insmed, Inc., Everyday Health, Inc. and Proteus Digital Health, Inc. and as a trustee of The University of Chicago. Ms. Potter served on the board of Medco Health Solutions,directors of Lithia Motors, Inc. from December 2007 until its acquisition by Express Scripts,, one of the largest providers of personal transportation solutions in the U.S., and Oportun, Inc., a mission-driven financial services company.

        Mr. Miramontes brings to the Board extensive experience in April 2012. She continued onaccounting, financial reporting, and corporate governance. His experience as an audit partner provides useful insights into financial and regulatory matters relevant to the board at Express Scripts until June 2012.Company's business.


Table of Contents

        Ms. Potter brings to the Board extensive experience in executive management and leadership roles in the healthcare industry. She also brings valuable experience as a consultant to global life science, biopharmaceutical and biotechnical companies regarding corporate strategy, customer engagement, commercialization, product development and as a former board member of two leading pharmacy benefits management companies.

        Michael N. Regan.Arun Nayar.    Since August 2014, Mr. Regan has servedNayar retired in December 2015 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Outrigger Enterprises Group,Tyco International, a privately held hospitality company.$10+ billion fire protection and security company, where he was responsible for managing the company's financial risks and overseeing its global finance functions, including its tax, treasury, mergers and acquisitions, audit, and investor relations teams. Mr. Nayar joined Tyco as Senior Vice President and Treasurer in 2008 and was also Chief Financial Officer of Tyco's ADT Worldwide. From 2010 until 2012, Mr. Nayar was Senior Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis, Investor Relations, and Treasurer. Prior to that,joining Tyco, Mr. Regan served as the Hold Separate Manager on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission, overseeing the Lumiere Place Casino and Hotel and Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri from August 2013 through its sale in spring 2014 and prior to thatNayar spent six years at PepsiCo, Inc., most recently as Chief Financial Officer of Indianapolis Downs LLC, a casinoGlobal Operations and, horse track complex located near Indianapolis, Indiana during its bankruptcy from January 2012 through its sale in February 2013. From May 2007 through December 2011, Mr. Regan was a self-employed private equity investor. Prior thereto, Mr. Regan servedbefore that, as Chief Financial Officer of The St. Joe Company, a major real estate development company based in Florida, from November 2006 to May 2007. From 1997 to November 2006, he served as Senior Vice President Finance and held various other positionsAssistant Treasurer—Corporate Finance. Mr. Nayar currently serves on the Board of Directors of Bemis Company, Inc., a manufacturer of packaging products, and TFI International Inc., a leader in the transportation and logistics industry. Bemis Company, Inc. has announced a combination with The St. Joe CompanyAmcor Limited and washas announced that Mr. Nayar will be a member of the senior management team. Priorboard of the combined company, Amcor plc, upon consummation of the transaction. Mr. Nayar is also a Senior Advisor to joining The St. JoeMcKinsey & Company he served in various financial management functions at Harrah's Entertainment from 1980 through 1997, includingand to a private equity firm, BC Partners. He also serves as Vice President and controller from 1991 to 1997.a board member of privately-held GFL Environmental, a BC Partners portfolio company.

        Mr. Regan'sNayar brings over 3035 years of financial experience including servingto the Board. His experience as a chief financial officer provides useful insights into operational and financial metrics relevant to the Company's business.

        Katherine Quinn.    Ms. Quinn has served as avice chairman and chief administrative officer of U.S. Bancorp since April 2017 and is responsible for leading human resources, strategy, and corporate affairs at the company. Ms. Quinn joined U.S. Bancorp in 2013 as executive vice president and chief strategy and reputation officer. Prior to joining U.S. Bancorp, Ms. Quinn most recently served as senior vice president of finance, providesand chief marketing officer at Anthem, a health benefits company, where she directed the Board with additional perspectives on financial, operationalcompany's marketing, customer communications, digital, customer experience, and strategic planning, and real estate matters relevant to the Company.

        Frank A. Savage.    Mr. Savage has been a senior advisor to investment banking firm Lazard Ltd. ("Lazard") since January 1, 2014 andretail strategies. She previously served as Vice ChairmanAnthem's vice president of U.S. Investment Banking at Lazard from 2009 to December 31, 2013. He was the Co-Head of Lazard's Restructuring Group from June 1999 to December 31, 2013 and also served on Lazard's Deputy Chairman Committee from 2006 to December 2013. Prior to joining Lazard, Mr. Savagecorporate marketing. Earlier in her career, Ms. Quinn served as Co-Headchief marketing and strategy officer at a division of the Restructuring PracticeThe Hartford, following leadership roles in strategy and product development at investment banking firm BT Alex. Brown Inc.CIGNA and before that was the HeadPacifiCare Health Systems, respectively. Ms. Quinn earned an MBA from University of the Restructuring GroupPhoenix and a bachelor's degree from Hunter College. In addition to her role at investment bank UBS AG. Mr. Savage is currentlyU.S. Bancorp, Ms. Quinn presently serves as a director and member of the Corporate GovernanceBoard of Directors of Taylor Corporation and Nominating Committeethe Board of SUPERVALU INC.Trustees for both United Way U.S.A. and Fraser, a non-profit organization serving children and adults with special needs. She previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Minnesota Public Radio until May 2019.

        Mr. SavageMs. Quinn brings to the Board extensive financialexperience in business strategy, marketing, customer experience, and investment banking experience.health benefits. Her experience and insights in these areas are directly relevant to the Company's business.

        Marcy Syms.    Ms. Syms served as a director of Syms Corp.,Corp, a chain of retail clothing stores, from 1983, when she was named President and COO, until 2012. Ms. Syms became CEO of Syms Corp.Corp in 1998 and was named Chair in 2010. In November 2011, Syms Corp.Corp and its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and ceased all retail operations. Ms. Syms is also a founding member of the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors of the Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. Currently, Ms. Syms serves as President of the Sy Syms Foundation andFoundation. Ms. Syms served as Founder and President of the TPD Group LLC, a multi-generational succession planning company.company, from 2013 to 2018. Ms. Syms is also a member of the board of directors of Benco Dental.

        Ms. Syms brings to the Board over 18 years of experience as a chief executive officer of a chain of retail stores, including an array of skills in strategic planning, marketing, and human resources matters similar to those faced by the Company.


Table of Contents

Board Leadership

        Mr. Standley servesBodaken became Chairman of the Board effective at the 2018 Annual Meeting. The Board has determined that Mr. Bodaken will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Regan has served as our Lead Independent Director since 2011 and it is expected that he will continue in that role.


Table of ContentsBoard.

        The Company's governance framework providesIn December 2018, the Board with flexibility to select the appropriate leadership structure for the Company. In connection with the 2012 Annual Meeting, the Board reviewed its leadership structure in light ofamended the Company's operating and governance environment and determinedBy-Laws to provide that Mr. Standley should serve as the Chairman of the Board effective as ofshall be a director who is independent under the 2012 Annual Meeting, based on the Board's belief that Mr. Standley's in-depth knowledge of the Company, keen understanding ofNYSE listing standards and the Company's operations and proven leadership and vision positioned him to provide strong and effective leadership to the Board.Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Board has determined to maintain its current leadership structure, taking into account the foregoing factors as well as the evaluation of Mr. Standley's performance as Chief Executive Officer, his very positive relationships with other members of the Board and the leadership and strategic vision he has brought to the Chairman position.

        The Board has no policy mandating the combination orbelieves that separation of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer positions and believes that, given the dynamic and competitive environment in which we operate, the right leadership structure may vary from time to time based on changes in circumstances. The Board makes this determination based on what it believes best serves the needs of the Company and its stockholders at any particular time. For the reasons described above, thestockholders. The Board continues to believebelieves that Mr. Standley providesBodaken will continue to provide excellent independent leadership of the Board in the performance of its duties and that a unified structure provides decisive and effective leadership both within and outside the Company.his role as Chairman.

        In addition,As Chairman, Mr. Bodaken's responsibilities subsume the Board continues to maintainresponsibilities of the position of Lead Independent Director that it created in 2009. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, in the event that the Chairman of the Board is also the Chief Executive Officer or otherwise is not an independent director, the independent members of the Board will choose an independent director to serve as Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director, who is expected to serve at least one year, has the following responsibilities, which are described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines:and include:

Corporate Governance

        We recognize that good corporate governance is an important means of protecting the interests of our stockholders, associates, customers, suppliers, and the community. The Board of Directors, through the Nominating and Governance Committee, monitors corporate governance developments and proposed legislative, regulatory, and stock exchange corporate governance reforms.


Table In April 2019, the Board enhanced our corporate governance by amending the Company's By-Laws to permit special meetings of Contentsstockholders of the Company to be called by stockholders holding at least 20% of the Company's common stock.

        Website Access to Corporate Governance Materials.    Our corporate governance information and materials, including our Corporate Governance Guidelines, current charters for each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, and Executive Committee, our Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers, our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, our Stock Ownership Guidelines, and our Related Person Transaction Policy are posted on our website atwww.riteaid.com under the headings "Corporate Info—Governance" and are available in print upon request to Rite Aid Corporation, 30 Hunter Lane, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011, Attention: Secretary. The information on our website is not, and shall not be deemed, a part of this proxy statement. The Board regularly reviews corporate governance developments and will modify these materials and practices from time to time as warranted.


Table of Contents

        Codes of Ethics.    The Board has adopted a Code of Ethics that is applicable to our Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers. The Board has also adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that applies to all of our officers, directors, and associates. Any amendment to either code or any waiver of either code for executive officers or directors will be disclosed promptly on our website atwww.riteaid.com under the headings "Corporate Info—Governance—Code of Ethics."

        Director Independence.    For a director to be considered independent under the NYSE corporate governance listing standards, the Board of Directors must affirmatively determine that the director does not have any direct or indirect material relationship with the Company, including any of the relationships specifically proscribed by the NYSE independence standards. The Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances in making its independence determinations. Only independent directors may serve on our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee.

        As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined that the following directors, including each director serving on the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee, satisfy the independence requirements of the NYSE listing standards: Bruce G. Bodaken, Busy Burr, Robert E. Knowling, Jr., Kevin E. Lofton, Louis P. Miramontes, Arun Nayar, Katherine Quinn, and Marcy Syms. The Board also determined that Joseph B. Anderson Jr., Bruce G. Bodaken,and Michael N. Regan, who served as directors until April 2019, and David R. Jessick, Kevin E. Lofton, Myrtle S. Potter, Michael N. Regan,and Frank A. Savage, and Marcy Syms.who served as directors until October 30, 2018, also satisfied the independence requirements of the NYSE listing standards. The Board also determined that the members of the Audit Committee satisfy the additional independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and the additional NYSE independence requirements for audit committee members. In addition, the Board has determined that the members of the Compensation Committee satisfy the additional NYSE independence requirements for compensation committee members.

        There is no family relationship between any of the nominees and executive officers of Rite Aid.

        Majority Voting Standard and Policy.    Under the Company's By-Laws, a nominee for director in uncontested elections of directors (as is the case for this Annual Meeting) will be elected to the Board if the votes cast "for" such nominee's election exceed the votes cast "against" such nominee's election. In contested elections, directors will be elected by a plurality of votes cast. For this purpose, a contested election means any meeting of stockholders for which (i) the Secretary of the Company receives a notice that a stockholder (or group of stockholders) has nominated a person for election to the Board in compliance with the advance notice requirements for stockholder nominees for director or the proxy access requirements, in each case as set forth in the By-Laws and (ii) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such stockholder (or group of stockholders) on or prior to the 14th day preceding the date the Company first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the stockholders.

        Under the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, a director who fails to receive the required number of votes for re-electionreelection in accordance with the By-Laws will, within five days following certification of the stockholder vote, tender his or her written resignation to the Chairman of the Board for consideration by the Board, subject to the procedures set forth in the guidelines.


Table of Contents

Board Oversight of Risk Management

        The Board of Directors, as a whole and through the various committees of the Board, oversees the Company's management of risk, focusing primarily on five areas of risk: operational, financial performance, financial reporting, legal and regulatory, and strategic and reputational.

        Management of the Company is responsible for developing and implementing the Company's plans and processes for risk management. The Board believes that its leadership structure, described above,


Table of Contents

supports the risk oversight function of the Board. The Board of Directors, at least annually, reviews with management its plans and processes for managing risk. The Board also receives periodic updates from the Company's Chief Compliance Officercompliance and internal assurance services with regard to the overall effectiveness of the Company's risk management program and significant areas of risk to the Company, focusing on the five primary areas of risk set forth above as well as other areas of risk identified from time to time by either the Board, a Board committee, or management.

        In addition, the Board receivesand the Audit Committee receive periodic updates from the Company's Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief AdministrativeInformation Officer, or Chief Information Security Officer on cybersecurity matters, including information services security and security controls over credit card, customer, associate, and patient data. These updates also include information regarding the Rite Aid Information Security Program, managed by Rite Aid's Chief Information Security Officer, which is designed to protect information and critical resources from a wide range of threats in order to ensure business continuity, minimize business risk and maximize return on investments and business opportunities. The objective in the development and implementation of the Information Security Program is to create effective administrative, technical and physical safeguards in order to protect the data of Rite Aid and its subsidiaries and the data of any clients of these entities.

        In addition, other Board committees consider risks within their respective areas of responsibility and advise the Board of any significant risks. For example, the Compensation Committee considers risks relating to the Company's compensation programs and policies and the Audit Committee focuses on assessing and mitigating financial reporting risks, including risks related to internal control over financial reporting and legal and compliance risks.

Compensation-Related Risk Assessment

        The Compensation Committee reviews all incentive plans relative to established criteria and conducts an assessment to ensure that none of our incentive plans encourage excessive risk-taking by our executives or associates. Together with executive management, the Compensation Committee has considered the risks arising from the Company's compensation programs for its executives and associates and has concluded that the compensation policies are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

        The Compensation Committee reviews the risk profile and the relationship between the Company's compensation programs to the overall risk profile of the Company. Some of the features of our incentive programs that limit risk include:

Committees of the Board of Directors

        The Board of Directors has four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and the Executive Committee. Current copies of the charters for each of these committees are available on our website atwww.riteaid.com under the headings "Corporate Info—Governance—Corporate Governance Committees—Committee Charters."


Table of Contents

        The current members of the committees are identified in the following table.

Director
 Audit Compensation Nominating and
Governance
 Executive

John T. Standley

Bruce G. Bodaken
XChair
Busy BurrX      
Robert E. Knowling, Jr.  Chair

Joseph B. Anderson, Jr. 

Kevin E. Lofton
     Chair  

Bruce G. Bodaken

Louis P. Miramontes
ChairX
Arun NayarXX
Katherine Quinn   X    

David R. Jessick

John T. Standley
 Chair     X

Kevin E. Lofton

X

Myrtle S. Potter

Marcy Syms
     X

Michael N. Regan

XXX

Frank A. Savage

X

Marcy Syms

Chair  

        Audit Committee.    The Audit Committee, which held eightnine meetings during fiscal year 2016,2019, currently consists of David R. JessickLouis P. Miramontes (Chair), Kevin E. LoftonBusy Burr, and Michael N. Regan.Arun Nayar. The Board has determined that each of these individuals is an independent director under the NYSE listing standards and satisfies the additional independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and the additional requirements of the NYSE listing standards for audit committee members. See the section entitled "Corporate Governance—Director Independence" above. The Board has determined that each of these individuals is also "financially literate" under the applicable NYSE listing standards. The Board has determined that David R. Jessick qualifiesboth Louis P. Miramontes and Arun Nayar qualify as an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is defined under applicable SEC rules.

        The functions of the Audit Committee include the following:

        The independent auditors and internal auditors meet with the Audit Committee with and without the presence of management representatives. For additional information, see the section entitled "Audit Committee Report," as well as the Audit Committee's charter, which is posted on our website atwww.riteaid.com under the headings "Corporate Info—Governance—Corporate Governance Committees—Committee Charters."

        Compensation Committee.    The Compensation Committee, which held sevenfour meetings during fiscal year 2016,2019, currently consists of Marcy SymsRobert E. Knowling, Jr. (Chair), Bruce G. BodakenLouis P. Miramontes, and Michael N. Regan.Katherine Quinn. The Board has determined that each of these individuals is an independent director under the NYSE listing standards and satisfies the additional independence requirements of the NYSE listing standards for compensation committee members. See the section entitled "Corporate Governance—Director Independence" above.

        The functions of the Compensation Committee include the following:


Table of Contents

        The Compensation Committee reviews the performance of the Company's executive personnel, including the Company's named executive officers, and develops and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to executive compensation policies. The Compensation Committee is empowered by the Board of Directors to award to executive officers appropriate bonuses, stock options, stock appreciation rights, and stock-based awards. The details of the processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of the compensation of our named executive officers are described in the section entitled "Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis." The objectives of the Compensation Committee are to support the achievement of desired Company performance, to provide compensation and benefits that will attract and retain superior talent, to reward performance, and to fix a portion of compensation to the outcome of the Company's performance.

        As provided in its charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to engage an external compensation consultant and to determine the scope of any services provided. The Compensation Committee may terminate the engagement at any time. The external compensation consultant reports to the Compensation Committee Chair.

        Since June 2010, the Compensation Committee has utilized Exequity LLP as its independent consultant. With respect to fiscal year 2016,2019, Exequity LLP reviewed recommendations and analysis prepared by management and provided advice and counsel to the Compensation Committee. Exequity LLP does not provide any other services to the Company. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of Exequity LLP, taking into consideration the factors set forth in the NYSE listing standards and SEC rules, and determined that the engagement of Exequity LLP does not raise any conflicts of interest.

        Nominating and Governance Committee.    The Nominating and Governance Committee, which held twoeight meetings during fiscal year 2016,2019, currently consists of Joseph B. Anderson, Jr.Kevin Lofton (Chair), Myrtle S. PotterBruce G. Bodaken, and Frank A. Savage.Marcy Syms. The Board has determined that each of these individuals is an independent director under the NYSE listing standards. See the section entitled "Corporate Governance—Director Independence" above.

        The functions of the Nominating and Governance Committee include the following:


Table of Contents

        Executive Committee.    The members of the Executive Committee currently are Bruce G. Bodaken (Chair), Arun Nayar, and John T. Standley (Chair), David R. Jessick and Michael N. Regan.Standley. The Executive Committee did not meet during fiscal year 2016.2019. The Executive Committee, except as limited by Delaware law, is empowered to exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors.

Nomination of Directors

        The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders. In considering such recommendations, the Nominating and Governance Committee will take into consideration the needs of the Board and the qualifications of the candidate. The Nominating and Governance Committee may also take into consideration the number of shares held by the recommending stockholder and the length of time that such shares have been held. To have a candidate considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee, a stockholder must submit the recommendation in writing and must include the following information:

        The stockholder recommendation and information described above must be sent to Rite Aid Corporation, 30 Hunter Lane, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011, Attention: Secretary. The Nominating and Governance Committee will accept recommendations of director candidates throughout the year; however,year. Generally, in order for a recommended director candidate to be considered for nomination to stand for election at an upcoming annual meeting of stockholders, the recommendation must be received by the Secretary not fewer than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of Rite Aid's most recent annual meeting of stockholders. In the event an annual meeting is held on a date that is not within 25 days of such anniversary date, recommendations will be considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee in due course.

        The Board seeks to maintain an engaged, independent Board with broad experience and judgment that is committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders. The Nominating and Governance Committee believes that the minimum qualifications for serving as a Rite Aid director are that a candidate demonstrate, by significant accomplishment in his or her field, an ability to make a meaningful contribution to the Board's oversight of Rite Aid's business and affairs and have an impeccable record and reputation for honest and ethical conduct in his or her professional and personal activities. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee examines a candidate's specific experiences and skills, availability in light of other commitments, potential conflicts of interest, and independence from management and the Company. The Nominating and Governance Committee also seekstakes into account a candidate's ability to havecontribute to the Board represent a diversity of backgroundsbackground and experience.experience represented by the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee assesses its achievement of diversity through the review of Board composition as part of the Board's annual self-assessment process.

        The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies potential candidates by asking current directors and executive officers to notify the committee if they become aware of persons, meeting the criteria described above, who have had a change in circumstances that might make them available to serve on the Board—for example, retirement as a CEO or CFO of a public company or exiting government or military service. The Nominating and Governance Committee also, from time to time, may engage firms that specialize in identifying director candidates. As described above, the committee will also consider candidates recommended by stockholders.


Table of Contents

        The Nominating and Governance Committee may review publicly available information, conduct an interview and/or check references to assess the person's accomplishments and qualifications in light of the needs of the Board and the accomplishments and qualifications of any other candidates that the committee might be considering. The committee's evaluation process does not vary based on whether or not a candidate is recommended by a stockholder, although, as stated above, the Board may take


Table of Contents

into consideration the number of shares held by the recommending stockholder and the length of time that such shares have been held.

        Russell Reynolds Associates, an executive search consulting firm, assisted the Nominating and Governance Committee in sourcing director candidates as part of the continuation of the Board's accelerated refreshment process. With respect to the two additions to the Board in April 2019, Busy Burr and Katherine Quinn were both vetted and recommended by Russell Reynolds Associates to the Nominating and Governance Committee for the Committee's consideration for appointment as independent directors.

Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors

        In order to promote discussion among the non-management directors, regularly scheduled executive sessions (i.e., meetings of non-management directors without management present) are held to review such topics as the non-management directors determine. Mr. Regan,Bodaken, our Lead Independent Director,Chairman of the Board, presides at our executive sessions. The non-management directors met in executive session 1114 times during fiscal year 2016.2019.

Communications with the Board of Directors

        The Board has established a process to receive communications from stockholders and other interested parties. Stockholders and other interested parties may contact any member (or all members) of the Board, any Board committee, or any chair of any such committee by mail or electronically. To communicate with the Board of Directors, the non-management directors, a committee of directors, or any individual directors, including our Lead Independent Director,Chairman of the Board, correspondence should be addressed to the Board of Directors or any such individual directors, or committee of directors by either name or title. All such correspondence should be sent to Rite Aid Corporation, c/o Secretary, P.O. Box 3165, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105. To communicate with any of the directors electronically, stockholders should go to our website atwww.riteaid.com. Under the headings "Corporate Info—Governance—Board of Directors—Contact the Board of Directors" you will find an on-line form, as well as an email address, that may be used for writing an electronic message to the Board, the non-management directors, any individual directors, or any committee of directors. Please follow the instructions on the website in order to send your message.

        All communications received as set forth above will be opened by the Secretary for the purpose of determining whether the contents represent a message to the directors, and depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication, will be distributed to the Board, the non-management directors, an individual director, or a committee of directors, as appropriate. The Secretary will make sufficient copies of the contents to send to each director who is a member of the Board or of the committee to which the envelope or e-mailemail is addressed.

Directors' Attendance at Board, Committee, and Annual Meetings

        The Board of Directors held 1526 meetings during fiscal year 2016.2019. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings held by all committees on which such director served, during the period for which such director served.


Table of Contents

        It is our policy that directors are invited and encouraged to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. All nineEight of our nine directors serving on the Board or nominated to serve on the Board at the time of the meeting attended the 20152018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Sustainability

        At the 2018 Annual Meeting, stockholders approved a proposal requesting that Rite Aid prepare a sustainability report describing the Company's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities. A report describing the Company's ESG risks and opportunities will be released prior to the Annual Meeting. When available, the report will be posted on our website atwww.riteaid.com under the headings "Corporate Info—Investor Relations."

        At Rite Aid, we are dedicated to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance initiatives into our operations, not only to retain value for our shareholders, our customers, and our associates, but also because "integrity in all we do" is one of our core values.

        We have a corporate social responsibility committee comprised of senior level leadership stakeholders with cross functional representation within the Company. The corporate social responsibility committee produces our annual CSR report and leads progress on sustainability initiatives and programs throughout the company. Our corporate social responsibility committee provides corporate social responsibility updates to our Board.

        Our Code of Business Ethics and Conduct outlines our core values and describes additional corporate policies on ESG issues, including polices in the areas of, among others, customer and worker safety and environmental management, including energy and waste minimization. We expect our officers, directors, and associates to uphold the standards set forth in the Code of Business Ethics and Conduct at work every day.

        We conduct our business in compliance with applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations. We view conserving energy, avoiding the unnecessary generation of waste, and carrying out company activities in ways that preserve and promote a clean, safe, and healthy environment as the environmental and social sustainability priorities for our business.

        We view adopting green business principles as part of our overall business strategy and believe it is a conscientious decision for our business, our community, and the environment. Over the past five years, we have made significant investments in energy efficiency and waste reduction initiatives and have committed to building new and remodeled stores to meet or exceed the national building code standards for energy efficiency. For example, in striving to conserve energy and avoid the unnecessary generation of waste, we have installed LED lighting to reduce our annual electric consumption by 18 million KWh, completed a redesign of our Thrifty Ice Cream Plant in El Monte, California, which included upgrades to a safer refrigeration system and to lighting and HVAC systems to reduce our annual electric consumption by eight million kWh, and installed a 1098 kW solar system at our distribution center in Lancaster, California that produces 30% of the location's power needs. Over the past three years, we have seen a steady decrease in energy consumption in our retail stores and have reduced our total energy consumption in our retail stores during that period by 19,031,630 kWh on a comparable store basis. In addition, Rite Aid utilizes best-in-class architectural and engineering design firms that employ Building Council LEED™-accredited staff in order to help us develop our new store designs that meet or exceed the national building code standards for energy efficiency.

        We have established a Chemical Policy and, in 2018, we expanded our Restricted Substances List as part of our ongoing efforts to meet customer expectations for chemical management and product safety. We have been working closely with our supplier partners to eliminate eight chemicals of high concern from formulated private brand items since 2016, and we expect to eliminate these chemicals from our private brand items by 2020. We have also expanded our Restricted Substances List to bring


Table of Contents

the total number of restricted chemicals from eight to 69. To assist stakeholders in understanding the impact of these initiatives, in 2019 we will begin reporting progress towards 100% elimination of the eight chemicals of high concern from our private brand products and the number of new products launched in a year that are free of the eight chemicals of high concern. Our long-term goal is to extend the Chemical Policy to cover all of the products sold in our stores. In 2019, we plan to extend the chemical program to cover formulated products like over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements, as well as food and beverages.

        We have also implemented "Responsible Sourcing Guidelines" (and objectives) to promote supply chains that support responsible forest management, the appropriate use of recycled content and responsible sourcing, including transparency, protocols, and mechanisms to track the wood fiber in the supply chain from its origin to the forest products supplied to Rite Aid and its customers. Our initial goal is to address the largest volume of forest products used in Rite Aid's daily business operations, such as advertising circular papers, copy and print paper and the pharmacy bags and labels used by our pharmacy and distribution centers. We have already made significant progress in achieving our goal, with 100% of the paper purchased for our advertising circulars being sourced from responsibly managed, forest-based suppliers that are compliant with independent forest certification standards.

        Further information about our commitment to sustainability is available on our website under the headings "Corporate Info—Environmental Responsibility" and "Corporate Info—Chemical Policy."

Opioid Matter Oversight

        The Board, the Company's management, and the Company's employees recognize the opioid epidemic that is afflicting Americans across the United States as a serious public health issue, and we have publicly expressed our commitment to addressing opioid abuse in the communities we serve. At the 2018 Annual Meeting, stockholders approved a proposal requesting that Rite Aid prepare a report describing the corporate governance changes the Company has implemented since 2012 to more effectively monitor and manage financial and reputational risks related to the opioid crisis. The Company anticipates that a report describing the Company's approach to oversight of opioid matters will be released by October 1, 2019.

        The Board and management review the Company's plans and processes for managing risk at least annually. The Board oversees risk management and considers specific risk topics on an ongoing basis, including the risks associated with opioid medications. The Board also receives periodic updates from internal subject matter experts with regard to the overall effectiveness of the Company's risk management program and significant areas of risk to the Company, focusing on the five primary areas of risk set forth above as well as other areas of risk identified from time to time by the Board, a Board committee, or management, and including risks related to opioid dispensing and the status of ongoing initiatives to combat addiction risk in the communities Rite Aid serves. In addition, each Board committee regularly reports to the full Board on risks within their respective areas of responsibility. For example, the Compensation Committee annually reviews the Company's compensation plans, programs, and policies as they relate to the Company's risk management. Rite Aid management will continue to keep the Board updated on a regular basis concerning opioid dispensing-related activities and initiatives to combat addiction.

        At Rite Aid, we take our role as a community healthcare provider very seriously. This means going beyond simply complying with state laws and regulations to also raise awareness about important issues like prescription drug safety and drug abuse prevention. We are also committed to raising awareness about important issues like drug abuse prevention and prescription drug safety while advocating for increased access to education, treatment, and proper medication disposal. As one of health care's most accessible practitioners, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to help educate their patients and communities about promoting prescription safety. We are committed to working with our customers,


Table of Contents

local law enforcement, community groups, and both federal and state agencies to help reduce the opioid epidemic that is impacting our communities throughout the United States. Rite Aid's comprehensive strategy to address opioid and other drug abuse and misuse includes:


Table of Contents

        Further information about medication safety and disposal is available on our website under the headings "Pharmacy & Immunizations—Drug Safety & Disposal."

Directors' Compensation

        Each non-management director receives an annual payment of $100,000 in cash, payable quarterly in arrears. In addition, (i) the Lead Independent Director received an additional annual payment of $25,000 (for so long as the Board had a Lead Independent Director); (ii) the Independent Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual payment of $25,000; (ii)$100,000; (iii) the Chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual payment of $20,000; (iii)(iv) the Chairs of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee each receive an additional annual payment of $10,000; and (iv)(v) each member of the Audit Committee (other than the Chair) receives an additional annual payment of $10,000. Non-management directors also receivedreceive an annual award of restricted stock or restricted stock units valued at $120,000. The$120,000 (with the number of shares subject to the grant calculated by dividing 120,000 by the closing price of our common stock on the day before the date of grant, rounded to the nearest whole share). Prior to 2019, the annual grant vestsprovided for vesting with respect to 80% on the first anniversary of the grant and 10% on each of the second and third


Table of Contents

anniversaries of the grant. The Compensation Committee undertook a review of non-management director compensation in December 2018. The Compensation Committee engaged with independent compensation consultant Exequity LLP to provide a recommendation of our overall director compensation as compared to our new peer group as discussed in the section entitled "The Compensation Committee's Process—Assessment of Company performance." As a result of the recommendation to, and approval by, the Board of Directors, for fiscal year 2019 the amount of each of the annual cash retainer and annual stock-based award described above remain unchanged. The annual stock-based award for fiscal year 2019 vests on the date of grant and the shares subject to the grant become payable on a deferred basis upon the separation from service of the director. Directors who are officers and/or Rite Aid associates receive no separate compensation for service as directors or committee members. Directors are reimbursed for travel and lodging expenses associated with attending Board of Directors and Board committee meetings.

        Non-management directors are subject to our Stock Ownership Guidelines discussed on pages 39-40.51 to 52.


Table of Contents


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 20162019

        The following Director Compensation Table sets forth fees, awards, and other compensation paid to or earned by our non-management directors who served during the fiscal year ended February 27, 2016:March 2, 2019:

Name
 Fees
Paid in
Cash ($)
 Stock
Awards
($)(1)(2)
 Option
Awards
($)(3)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
 Change In
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
($)
 All Other
Compensation
($)
 Total ($)  Fees
Paid in
Cash ($)
 Stock
Awards
($)(1)(2)
 Option
Awards
($)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
 Change In
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
($)
 All Other
Compensation
($)
 Total ($) 

Joseph B. Anderson, Jr.

 110,000 120,000     230,000  108,288 120,000     228,288 

Bruce G. Bodaken

 100,000 120,000     220,000  117,120 120,000     237,120 

David R. Jessick

 120,000 120,000     240,000 

Robert E. Knowling

 18,832 120,000     138,832 

Kevin E. Lofton

 110,000 120,000     230,000  110,000 120,000     230,000 

Myrtle S. Potter

 100,000 120,000     220,000 

Louis P. Miramontes

 25,524 120,000     145,524 

Arun Nayar

 18,832 120,000     138,832 

Michael N. Regan

 135,000 120,000     255,000  130,973 120,000     250,973 

Frank A. Savage

 50,000 120,000     170,000 

Marcy Syms

 110,000 120,000     230,000  112,163 120,000     232,163 

David R. Jessick(3)

 99,457      99,457 

Myrtle Potter(3)

 82,880      82,880 

Frank A. Savage(3)

 82,880      82,880 

(1)
Represents the grant date fair value of stock awards granted in February 2019 in respect of fiscal year 20162019 in accordance with FASB ASCFinancial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Topic 718. For information regarding the assumptions used in determining the fair value of an award, please refer to Note 1617 to our financial statements contained in ourthe Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K foras filed with the fiscal year ended February 27, 2016. We recognize expense ratably overSEC on April 25, 2019. Delivery of the three-year vesting period.shares underlying the stock awards is deferred until the directors' separation from services.


Table of Contents

(2)
The number of unvested restricted stock unitsawards outstanding as of February 27, 2016March 2, 2019 for each individual who served as a non-management director during fiscal year 2016 is detailed in the table below.

Name
 Grant Date Number of
Stock
Awards (#)
 

Joseph B. Anderson, Jr. 

  June 20, 201322, 2016  3,12577 

  June 19, 2014July 17, 2017  3,342

June 25, 201513,825519 

Bruce G. Bodaken

  June 20, 201322, 2016  3,12577 

  June 19, 2014July 17, 2017  3,342519

Kevin E. Lofton

June 22, 201677 

  June 25, 2015July 17, 2017  13,825

David R. Jessick

June 20, 20133,125

June 19, 20143,342

June 25, 201513,825

Kevin E. Lofton

November 8, 20131,104

June 19, 20143,342

June 25, 201513,825

Myrtle S. Potter

November 29, 2013895

June 19, 20143,342

June 25, 201513,825519 

Michael N. Regan

  June 20, 201322, 2016  3,12577 

  June 19, 2014July 17, 2017  3,342

June 25, 201513,825

Frank A. Savage

June 25, 201513,825519 

Marcy Syms

  June 20, 201322, 2016  3,12577 

  June 19, 2014July 17, 2017  3,342519 

David R. Jessick(3)

  June 25, 2015  13,825

Myrtle Potter(3)

Frank A. Savage(3)

 
(3)
The numberEach of unexercised options outstanding as of February 27, 2016 for each individual whoMs. Potter and Messrs. Jessick and Savage served as a non-management director during fiscal year 2016 is detailed inmember of the table below.Board through the date of our 2018 Annual Meeting. Any outstanding, unvested shares were cancelled upon their separation from the Board.

Name
 Grant Date Exercise
Price($)
 Outstanding(#) Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(#)
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(#)
Unexercisable
 

Joseph B. Anderson, Jr. 

  6/27/2007  6.15  50,000  50,000   

Bruce G. Bodaken

           

David R. Jessick

           

Kevin E. Lofton

           

Myrtle S. Potter

           

Michael N. Regan

  6/27/2007  6.15  100,000  100,000   

Frank A. Savage

           

Marcy Syms

  6/27/2007  6.15  50,000  50,000   

Table of Contents


PROPOSAL NO. 2

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

        The accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte & Touche") has been selected as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ending February 25, 2017.29, 2020. Deloitte & Touche has audited the accounts and records of Rite Aid and its subsidiaries since 2000. Although the selection of accounting firms does not require ratification, the Board of Directors has directed that the appointment of Deloitte & Touche be submitted to the stockholders for ratification due to the significance of their appointment by the Company. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, the Audit Committee will consider the appointment of another independent registered public accounting firm. A representative of Deloitte & Touche will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.


RECOMMENDATION


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR"
THE RATIFICATION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANY'S
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017.2020.


Table of Contents


PROPOSAL NO. 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are including in this proxy statement a resolution, subject to stockholder vote, to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (as defined in the section entitled "Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis").

        Prior to voting, stockholders may wish toshould carefully review our discussion of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as presented in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, tables, and narrative disclosure on pages 25-40,33 to 66, as well as the discussion of modifications made as a result of stockholder outreach efforts on pages 36 to 37, and the discussion regarding the Compensation Committee on pages 15-16.17 to 18.

        The Company's primary compensation goals for our Named Executive Officers are to attract, motivate, and retain the most talented and dedicated executives and to align the interests of our Named Executive Officers with the interests of our stockholders. The Company's compensation programs are designed to reward our Named Executive Officers for the achievement of annual and long-term strategic and operational goals and the achievement of increased total stockholder return, while at the same time avoiding the encouragement of unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. The Company encourages stockholders to review the executive compensation disclosure in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and executive compensation tables in this proxy statement for complete details of how its compensation policies and proceduresprogram for its Named Executive Officers, operatechanges made since the prior fiscal year, and arehow the program is designed to achieve the Company's compensation objectives.

        We believe that the Company's compensation programs for its Named Executive Officers have been effective at promoting the achievement of positive results,operated to appropriately aligningalign pay andwith performance and in enablingenabled the Company to attract and retain very talented executives within our industry, while at the same time avoiding the encouragement of unnecessary or excessive risk taking.risk-taking.

        We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a "say-on-pay" proposal, gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to express your views on our fiscal year 20162019 compensation for our Named Executive Officers. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation; rather, the vote relates to the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers as described in this proxy statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC.

        Accordingly, the following resolution is submitted for a stockholder vote at the Annual Meeting:

        Although this is an advisory vote which will not be binding on the Compensation Committee or the Board, the Compensation Committee and the Board will carefully review the results of the stockholder vote. The Compensation Committee will consider stockholders' concerns and take them into account in future determinations concerning compensation of its Named Executive Officers. The Board therefore recommends that you indicate your support for the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Offices in fiscal year 2016,2019, as outlined in the above resolution.


RECOMMENDATION

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR"
THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF ITS NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,
AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.


Table of Contents


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL

        We expect the following proposal (Proposal No. 4 on the proxy card) to be presented by stockholders at the Annual Meeting. The proposal and supporting statement may contain assertions about Rite Aid or other statements that we believe are incorrect. We have not attempted to refute all of these inaccuracies, and the Company is not responsible for the content of the proposal. The Board has recommended a vote against the proposal for the reasons set forth following the proposal.


PROPOSAL NO. 4

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL—SEEKING A BY-LAW AMENDMENT FOR A 10% OWNERSHIP
THRESHOLD FOR STOCKHOLDERS TO CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS

        Steven Krol, who owns approximately 12,763 shares of common stock (based on information provided to us by Mr. Krol and adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split that occurred in April 2019) and whose address will be provided by the Company promptly upon oral or written request, has notified us that he intends to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors strongly opposes adoption of the proposal and asks stockholders to review the Board's response, which follows the proposal and the proponent's supporting statement below.

Stockholder Proposal and Supporting Statement


Table of Contents


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
"AGAINST" THIS
PROPOSAL FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

        The Board believes this stockholder proposal is unnecessary as our stockholders already have the right to call special meetings.

        As discussed on pages 7 to 8 of this proxy statement, the Company has had a more robust stockholder engagement program in recent months. After carefully considering feedback from our stockholders, in April 2019, the Board amended our By-Laws to permit special meetings of the stockholders to be called by stockholders of record holding at least 20% of the Company's common stock. The Board believes that a 20% ownership threshold for the right to call special meetings strikes a reasonable and appropriate balance between enhancing stockholder rights and protecting against the risk that a small group of stockholders, including stockholders with special interests, could call special meetings.

        Allowing a small group of stockholders to call special meetings could be detrimental to the interests of a majority of our stockholders and other stakeholders. The Company's current 20% ownership threshold provides a reasonable number of stockholders with a meaningful right to require the Company to hold a special meeting without exposing the Company and its stockholders to unreasonable expense and disruption. These costs can be significant, including the costs of preparing and distributing proxy materials and the diversion of Board and management attention from the oversight and management of our business. Because special meetings require a considerable investment in resources, they should be limited to circumstances where a meaningful number of stockholders believe a matter is sufficiently urgent or extraordinary that it must be addressed between annual meetings. We believe a 20% threshold strikes the necessary balance between enhancing our stockholders' ability to act on important matters in between annual meetings and protecting the Company and other stockholders by allowing only a meaningful group of stockholders to exercise this right.

        The Board believes that the Company's current special meeting stockholder right should be evaluated in the context of our demonstrated commitment to best practices and accountability and responsiveness to our stockholders. Our governance practices, including ways to communicate with our Board, are described on pages 14 to 24 of this proxy statement. In particular, as described on page 20 of this proxy statement, stockholders and other interested parties may contact any member (or all members) of the Board, any Board committee or any chair of any such committee by mail or electronically.

        We actively engage with our stockholders throughout the year, and we share feedback from those discussions with our entire Board. At times, our directors participate in those discussions and speak to stockholders directly. Following engagement with our stockholders, the Board accelerated the Board refreshment process, nominating three new independent directors at the 2018 Annual Meeting and appointing two new independent directors in April 2019. In addition, the Board has a history of being responsive to stockholders, amending our By-Laws in April 2015 to adopt a proxy access right and in December 2018 to require that the Chairman of the Board be an independent director. Additionally, following the 2018 annual meeting, the Company is working to produce reports on the Company's consideration of sustainability matters and the Company's approach to oversight of opioid matters, which are discussed on pages 21 to 24 of this proxy statement.


Table of Contents

        In view of the existing right of stockholders to call special meetings and our other sound governance practices that ensure accountability of the Board and management to stockholders, the Board believes this stockholder proposal is unnecessary and not in the best interests of stockholders.


RECOMMENDATION

FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH ABOVE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "AGAINST" THE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL SEEKING A
BY-LAW AMENDMENT FOR A 10% OWNERSHIP THRESHOLD FOR STOCKHOLDERS TO CALL
SPECIAL MEETINGS.


Table of Contents


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        Officers are appointed annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Set forth below is information, as of April 26, 2016May 31, 2019, regarding the current executive officers of Rite Aid.

Name
 Age Position with Rite Aid

John T. Standley(1)

 5356 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Kenneth A. MartindaleBryan B. Everett

 5646 President of Rite Aid Corporation and CEO of Rite Aid StoresChief Operating Officer

Darren W. KarstMatthew Schroeder

 5649 Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer

Dedra N. CastleJocelyn Z. Konrad

 49 Executive Vice President, Pharmacy and Retail Operations

Brian Hoover

54Chief Human ResourcesAccounting Officer

Enio Anthony Montini, Jr. Ben Bulkley

 63Executive Vice President, Merchandising & Distribution

Jocelyn Konrad

46Executive Vice President, Pharmacy

Bryan Everett

43Executive Vice President, Store Operations

David Abelman

 56 Chief Executive Vice President, Marketing

Douglas E. Donley

53Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of EnvisionRxOptions

(1)
Mr. Standley's biographical information is provided above inOn March 12, 2019, the section identifyingCompany announced that the Board of Directors.was commencing a search process for a new Chief Executive Officer.

        Kenneth A. Martindale.John T. Standley.    Mr. Martindale was appointed CEO of Rite Aid Stores effective August 3, 2015. Mr. Martindale continues to serve as President, the title heStandley, Chief Executive Officer, has heldbeen Chief Executive Officer since June 2010 and was President from September 2008 until June 2013. He has previouslyMr. Standley served as Rite Aid'sChairman of the Board from June 21, 2012 through October 30, 2018. He was the Chief Operating Officer since June 2010. From Decemberfrom September 2008 until June 2010,2010. He also served as a consultant to Rite Aid from July 2008 to September 2008. From August 2005 through December 2007, Mr. Standley served as Chief Executive Officer and was a member of the board of directors of Pathmark Stores, Inc. From June 2002 to August 2005, he served as Rite Aid's Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising, MarketingAdministrative Officer of Rite Aid and, Logistics Officer. Mr. Martindalein addition, in January 2004 was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Rite Aid. He had served as Co-President, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer for Pathmark Stores, Inc. from January 2006 until its acquisition by the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company in December 2007. In January 2000, Mr. Martindale joined the Board of Directors of Intesource, Inc.; became Chairman of the Board in March 2004; and served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board from November 2004 until January 2006. From September 1999 until November 2004, Mr. Martindale was Principal of Martindale Development Group, L.L.C. From September 1999 until July 2003, Mr. Martindale was Managing Director/CEO of Orchard Street, Inc., a privately held specialty food retailer which he founded and owned. Mr. Martindale was Executive Vice President of Sales and Procurement with Fred Meyer, Inc. from January 1998 until September 1999 and was Senior Vice President of Sales and Procurement with Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc. from June 1996 until January 1998. Mr. Martindale currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

        Darren W. Karst.    Mr. Karst was appointed Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Rite Aid from September 2000 to June 2002 and Chief Administrative Officer effective October 25, 2015. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Karsthad served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since August 20, 2014. Prior to joiningof Rite Aid from 2002December 1999 until 2014,September 2000. Mr. KarstStandley served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officeron the SUPERVALU INC. board of directors from May 2013 to July 2015 and Assistant Secretary with Roundy's,on the board of directors of CarMax, Inc., a Wisconsin-based supermarket chain. From March 1995 until March 1996, from August 2017 to January 2018. Mr. Karst served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, SecretaryStandley currently serves on the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' board of directors and Director of Dominick's Supermarkets, Inc. and from March 1996 until the acquisition of Dominick's by Safeway in 1998, Mr. Karst served as Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director. Mr. Karst was a partner at the Yucaipa Companies, a private equity investment firm, from 1991 to 2002.

        Dedra N. Castle.    Ms. Castle has served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer since March 24, 2014. Prior to joining Rite Aid, from 2012 until 2014, Ms. Castle was a founding member and managing partner of Castle Partners, LLC, a human resources management


Table of Contents

services firm, and Level Mediation, LLC, a multi-state mediation firm. From 2008 until 2012, Ms. Castle worked for the Sam's Club Division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., where she served as the Vice President of Club/Field Support, People, Inclusion, Diversity and Policy. Prior to joining Sam's Club, she held senior human resources positions at Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. and Auto Zone Stores, Inc.

        Enio Anthony Montini, Jr.    Mr. Montini was appointed Executive Vice President, Merchandising & Distribution effective August 2015. Prior to this position, he served as Executive Vice President, Merchandising since April 2011, and from February 2010 to April 2011, he served as Senior Vice President, Category Management. From February 2008 until January 2010 he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer with MARC USA, a privately held company. From February 2005 until January 2008, Mr. Montini was Senior Vice President of Operations with MARC USA and from September 2004 until January 2005, he served as Senior Vice President, Channel Marketing with MARC USA.

        Jocelyn Konrad.    Ms. Konrad was appointed Executive Vice President, Pharmacy effective August 3, 2015. Prior positions at Rite Aid include Regional Pharmacy Vice President, President of Healthcare Initiatives and most recently, Group Vice President of Pharmacy Initiatives and Clinical Services. Prior to joining Rite Aid, Ms. Konrad served as a District Manager for Eckerd Pharmacy from 1997 through 2007. From 1992 to 1997, she served as a pharmacist for Thrift Drug Pharmacy. Ms. Konrad is a registered pharmacist and holds a Bachelormember of Science degree from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science.the Board's Executive Committee.

        Bryan B. Everett.    Mr. Everett was appointed Chief Operating Officer as of March 12, 2019. Prior to his promotion to this position, Mr. Everett served as Chief Operating Officer of Rite Aid Stores since September 1, 2017. Prior to that position, Mr. Everett served as the Executive Vice President of Store Operations effectivesince joining the Company on August 3, 2015. Previously, Mr. Everett served as the Senior Vice President of Store Operations at Target Corporation, overseeing the support functions and strategy for all stores. From February 2011 to March 2014, Mr. Everett served as the Senior Vice President of Target stores in the north region, with responsibility for total operations of 457 stores. Mr. Everett held multiple senior leadership positions in stores, operations, and merchandising at Target since 2002. Prior to joining Target, Mr. Everett held leadership positions in the grocery industry with Aldi Foods and Fleming Wholesale.

        David Abelman.Jocelyn Z. Konrad.    Mr. AbelmanMs. Konrad was appointed Executive Vice President, of MarketingPharmacy and Retail Operations effective March 12, 2019, after serving in the role as Executive Vice President, Pharmacy since August 3, 2015. Prior to this position, he served as our Seniorpositions at Rite Aid include Regional Pharmacy Vice President, President of Healthcare Initiatives and most recently, Group Vice President of Brand Development & Innovation since April 2014.Pharmacy Initiatives and Clinical Services. Prior to joining Rite Aid, Mr. Abelman was CEO and co-founder of Self Health Nation. Mr. Abelman alsoMs. Konrad served as Executive Vice Presidenta District Manager for Eckerd Pharmacy from 1997 through 2007. From 1992 to 1997, she served as a pharmacist for Thrift Drug Pharmacy. Ms. Konrad is a registered pharmacist and Chief Marketing & Merchandising Officer at AC Mooreholds a Bachelor of Science degree from May 2009 through December 2011Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Senior Vice PresidentScience.


Table of Marketing for Michael's from August 2005 through December 2007. He has also held senior marketing positions at Office Depot, Daymon Associates and the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company.Contents

        Douglas E. Donley. Mr.Matthew Schroeder.    Donley hasMr. Schroeder was appointed Chief Financial Officer as of March 12, 2019. Prior to his promotion to this position, Mr. Schroeder served as our Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Rite Aid Corporation since October 2005. He had been2017. Mr. Schroeder joined Rite Aid in 2000 as Vice President of Financial Accounting and served as Group Vice President Corporate Controllerof Strategy, Investor Relations and Treasurer from 19992010 to October 2005.2017. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. DonleySchroeder worked for Arthur Andersen, LLP, where he held several positions of increasing responsibility, including audit senior and audit manager. He also currently serves as treasurer and a member of the board of directors of The Rite Aid Foundation.

        Brian Hoover.    Mr. Hoover was appointed Chief Accounting Officer as of March 12, 2019. Prior to his promotion to this position, Mr. Hoover served as the acting principal financial officerGroup Vice President and Controller of the Company since 2017. Prior to that position, Mr. Hoover served as Vice President, Financial Reporting and Accounting from October 72008 to October 8, 2008, and as a financial analyst for2017. Over the past 24 years, Mr. Hoover has served in various positions of increasing responsibility at the Company from 1996 to 1999. Hein financial analysis, category management and marketing, budgeting, and accounting.

        Ben Bulkley.    Mr. Bulkley was an internal auditor for Harsco Corporation from 1994 to 1996.appointed Chief Executive Officer of EnvisionRxOptions as of February 21, 2019. Prior to joining Harsco,the Company, he was an auditormost recently served as chief executive officer and co-founder of Trellis Rx, a private equity-backed company that builds specialty pharmacies for KPMG Peat Marwick.health systems. Prior to Trellis Rx, Mr. Bulkley led the specialty businesses of Aetna Inc., including its pharmacy, behavioral health, and TPA businesses. Mr. Bulkley has also served as chief operating officer of Allscripts Health Solutions, Inc., a healthcare IT platform provider focused on connected care; senior vice president of global commercial operations at Invitrogen, a provider of life sciences technologies for disease research and drug discovery; and vice president and general manager of global services in the IT division of General Electric Company's Healthcare business.


Table of Contents


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Introduction

        We encourage you to read this Compensation Discussion and Analysis for a detailed discussion and analysis of our fiscal year 20162019 executive compensation program for the individuals named below. We refer to these individuals throughout this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the accompanying tables as our "Named Executive Officers."

Name
 Title

John T. Standley

 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Kenneth A. MartindaleKermit Crawford(1)

 President of Rite Aid Corporation and CEO of Rite Aid StoresChief Operating Officer

Darren W. KarstKarst(2)

 Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer

Enio Anthony Montini, Jr. Bryan B. Everett(3)

Chief Operating Officer, Rite Aid Stores

Jocelyn Z. Konrad(4)

 Executive Vice President, Merchandising & Distribution

Dedra N. Castle

Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

Frank G. Vitrano

Chief Strategic Business Development Officer

Robert K. Thompson

Special Advisor to President of Rite Aid CorporationPharmacy

(1)
Mr. Crawford left the Company as of March 12, 2019.

(2)
Mr. Karst left the Company as of May 31, 2019.

(3)
Mr. Everett was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the Company effective March 12, 2019.

(4)
Ms. Konrad was promoted to Executive Vice President, Pharmacy and Retail Operations effective March 12, 2019.

Executive Summary

        Rite Aid Corporation is the third largest retail drugstore chain in the United States based on revenues and number of stores operating 4,561 storesand has Pharmacy Benefits Management ("PBM") operations through EnvisionRxOptions and its affiliates. As of March 2, 2019, we operated 2,469 retail drugstores in 18 states across the country.

        We, along with the retail pharmacy industry as of February 27, 2016a whole, continue to face challenges in 31 statesrelying significantly on third party payors. Over the past several years, third party payors, including the Medicare Part D plans and the Districtstate-sponsored Medicaid and related managed care Medicaid agencies, have changed the eligibility requirements of Columbia. Inparticipants and have successfully reduced reimbursement rates, causing a reduction in our Adjusted EBITDA.

        Fiscal year 2019 was impacted by two significant events:

        Additionally, after fiscal 2016year end, we acquired EnvisionRx,implemented a Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) provider, as we continuedleadership transition plan that will significantly change our transitionNamed Executive Officers for fiscal year 2020.


Table of Contents

        On February 18, 2018, Rite Aid entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Albertsons Companies, Inc. and the Merger Subs. Based on the lack of our stockholder support, on August 8, 2018, Rite Aid, Albertsons, and the Merger Subs entered into a retail health care company. Our goals areMerger Termination Agreement pursuant to consistently understandwhich the parties mutually agreed to terminate the Merger Agreement. Subject to limited customary exceptions, the Merger Termination Agreement mutually released the parties from any claims of liability to one another relating to the contemplated merger. With the termination of the merger, Rite Aid is no longer subject to the interim operating covenants and exceedrestrictions in the expectationsMerger Agreement.

        On September 18, 2017, we entered into an Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement ("APA") with WBA. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the APA, WBA agreed to purchase from Rite Aid 1,932 stores, three distribution centers, related inventory, and other specified assets and liabilities related thereto for a purchase price of our customers by providing them with the best products, services and advice to meet their unique needs, thereby allowing us to meet our key business objectives and ultimately provide sustainable long-term value to our stockholders.approximately $4.375 billion, on a cash-free, debt-free basis.

        We believe that accomplishing these goals starts with our abilitycompleted the store transfer process in March of 2018, which resulted in the transfer of all 1,932 stores and related assets to attract, retainWBA and appropriately motivate executive officers who have received cash proceeds of $4.157 billion. On September 13, 2018, we completed the knowledge, experience and leadership ability to manage our business and promote a culturesale of teamwork and development that inspires each and every one of our associatesdistribution centers and related assets to give their best effort every day.WBA for proceeds of $61.2 million. The transfer of the two remaining distribution centers and related assets remains subject to minimal customary closing conditions applicable only to the distribution centers being transferred at such distribution center closings, as specified in the APA.

        We feelhave agreed to provide transition services under the Transitional Services Agreement ("TSA") to WBA for up to three years after the initial closing of the sale. Under the terms of the TSA, we provide various services on behalf of WBA, including but not limited to the purchase and distribution of inventory and virtually all selling, general, and administrative activities. The initial term of the TSA was to continue until October 17, 2019. On May 1, 2019, WBA provided Rite Aid with written notice that it was extending the TSA for two additional six-month periods, which extends the end date of the TSA to October 17, 2020. Pursuant to the TSA, WBA paid TSA fees of $80.2 million during the fifty-two week period ended March 2, 2019 and $8.4 million in the fifty-two week period ended March 3, 2018, which are reflected as a reduction to selling, general, and administrative expenses.

        As previously announced, since the close of the 2019 fiscal year, we have assembledexecuted on a very strong team of executives, which has in turn resulted inleadership transition plan and an organizational restructuring to better align our abilityCompany's structure with the Company's size and operations and to attract and retain highly talented individuals at all levelsreduce costs. As part of the leadership transition, the Board has commenced a search process for a new CEO. John Standley will remain CEO until the appointment of his successor. Bryan Everett, Chief Operating Officer of Rite Aid Stores, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the Company, succeeding Kermit Crawford, who has left the Company. Matt Schroeder, formerly our Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer, has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Schroeder succeeded Darren Karst, who left the Company this spring after supporting a brief transition. Jocelyn Konrad, Executive Vice President, Pharmacy, has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Pharmacy and Retail Operations. In addition, the Company announced actions that will reduce managerial layers and consolidate roles across the organization, who are committed to our core valuesresulting in the elimination of excellence, integrityapproximately 400 full-time positions, or more than 20% of the corporate positions located at the Company's headquarters and respect for people and haveacross the ability to execute our strategic and operational priorities. This combinationfield organization.


Table of strong executive leadership and highly talented and motivated team-driven associates played a key role in our strong financial performance in fiscal year 2016, as described below.Contents

        WeDespite our executive leadership team's continued focus on driving our business, we were faced with continued prescription reimbursement rate challenges that we were unable to fully offset, which is an issue that has also impacted the broader retail pharmacy industry and which has negatively impacted our Adjusted EBITDA. Additionally, the extended duration of the WBA merger and asset sale process, the establishment of TSA services, the attempted merger with Albertsons, and the resulting uncertainty had a successful year innegative impact on our fiscal year 2016,2019 results. Below is additional detail related to key financial indicators used as evidenced byperformance measures in our strong performance in the key areas described below:incentive programs for fiscal year 2019. All amounts, unless stated otherwise, are for continuing operations:


Table EBITDA was used. While overall Adjusted EBITDA was relatively neutral, the Retail Pharmacy segment improved by $17 million, which was offset by a $13 million reduction in the Pharmacy Services segment. The increase in the Retail Pharmacy Segment Adjusted EBITDA was driven primarily by the $80 million of Contents

        We believe strongly that pay should align with performance, and this focus is reflected in our executive compensation programs. We seek to provide our Named Executive Officers with opportunities to earn total direct compensation (base salary, annual incentives, and long-term incentives) that areis generally aligned withcomparable to compensation levels provided to peer company executives and executives within similarly-sizedother similarly sized retailers more broadly. With the compensation programs' strong focus on performance and the continued operating pressures related to the WBA and Albertsons transactions, prior to fiscal year 2019, we provided some of our executive officers with retention awards in an effort to retain them during the time of uncertainty. See the Wind-Down of Retention section on pages 49 to 50 for further discussion of these efforts.

        Because of our desire to reinforce a performance-based culture, the Company emphasizes a payregular compensation mix that is comprised primarily of variable pay. As a result, base salary makes up the smallest portion of total direct compensation for the Named Executive Officers, with variable pay in the form of annual and long-term incentives comprising the large, remaining portion. The compensation mix varies by position, taking into account each position's ability to influence Company results, as well as competitive practice. See page 3142 for a graphical representation of pay mix by executive.


Table of Contents

        In June 2011,July of 2017, our stockholders voted to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation every year. Consistent with that vote, the Board resolved to hold an advisory "say-on-pay" vote every year in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders.

        At our 20152018 Annual Meeting, held October 30, 2018 after the termination of the Albertsons transaction, approximately 95%16.5% of shares voting on the proposal approvedvoted in favor of the compensation of our Named Executive OfficersOfficers. The Compensation Committee took the disapproval of our executive compensation by our stockholders very seriously. The outcome of our 2018 say-on-pay vote was a clear signal that our stockholders took issue with some aspects of our executive compensation program, and we were determined to understand stockholder perspectives on a non-binding, advisory basis. As a resultthis program and committed to making constructive changes in response.

        After the termination of the overwhelming supportAlbertsons transaction, we engaged in enhanced stockholder outreach efforts. Investors' main concern with matters of our stockholders in respectcompensation was the use of retention awards and the say-on-pay vote conducted at our 2015 Annual Meeting,mid-year adjustment to the fiscal year 2018 annual incentive performance target. At that time, while the Compensation Committee determinedwas focused on a performance-based culture, it also recognized the importance of keeping management engaged during a time of significant challenges, including supporting the TSA processes, and entering into the Albertsons Merger Agreement. The decision to use retention awards was also made with the knowledge that much of the previously granted performance-based awards were tracking below target metrics and had a high likelihood of not having any realizable value, which heightened the risk that we would be unable to attract and retain the talent needed to run our business. For a comparison of the Named Executive Officers' realized long-term performance pay to the compensation shown in the Summary Compensation Table disclosure, see the discussion under the caption "Realized Long-Term Incentive Awards" on pages 42 to 43.

        We have continued to engage with stockholders since August 2018 and following the 2018 Annual Meeting, including on compensation matters. Based on the "say-on-pay" voting results and the feedback we received from stockholders, the Company took action to review all compensation programs in place and incorporate design changes into the compensation structures to ensure stronger stockholder alignment going forward.


Table of Contents

What We Heard from Stockholders

Actions We Took in Response

Our stockholders generally did not approve of the use of retention awards.

We did not enter into any new individual retention agreements with any of our Named Executive Officers in fiscal year 2019 and have no plans to enter into any such new retention agreements in fiscal year 2020.

Our stockholders generally did not approve of a mid-year adjustment to our fiscal year 2018 annual incentive plan to reflect the impact of the significant events and operational challenges occurring in the first half of fiscal year 2018.

We did not make any adjustments to our incentive plans for fiscal year 2019 and do not intend to make any mid-year adjustments to our incentive plans for fiscal year 2020.

Our stockholders expressed a general discomfort with a lack of alignment between Company performance and pay.

While we understand the concern based on reported pay, the realized value of our performance-based long-term pay was aligned with stockholder return. See the impact on Realized Long-Term Incentives on pages 42 to 43.

We refined our peer group for fiscal year 2020 to (among other changes) remove CVS Health Corp. and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.; even though each organization is a direct competitor from both business and talent acquisition perspectives, the Compensation Committee determined that these organizations are no longer appropriate peers given their significantly larger scope of operations.

We increased the emphasis on performance-based long-term incentives in fiscal year 2019, such that Performance-Based Restricted Cash Units represented 70% of the total long-term incentive opportunity, and time-based restricted stock represented 30% of the total long-term incentive opportunity.

that no material changes should be made to our executive compensation program for our Named Executive Officers in fiscal year 2016. Additionally, the 2015 advisory stockholder proposal on vesting performance awards, which received support of a majority of votes cast at the 2015 annual meeting, has been substantially implemented as a result of the Agreement and Plan of Merger with Walgreens Boots Alliance. At our 2016 special shareholder meeting, 89% of votes cast by our stockholders approved, by means of non-binding, advisory vote, compensation that will or may become payable by Rite Aid to its named executive officers in connection with the Merger (as defined below). As in the past, the Compensation Committee will continue to review the results of future advisory say-on-pay votes and will consider stockholders'stockholder concerns and take them into account in future determinations concerningregarding the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

        We used Adjusted EBITDA as the primary financial metric in our annual incentive plan and long-term performance awards in fiscal year 2016.2019. We believe this was appropriate because EBITDA growth has historically shown a strong positive correlation with three-year and five-year total stockholder return for Rite Aid and its peer group and that it represented the best indicator of Rite Aid's operating performance based on our financial situation and corporate structure. In establishing performance measures for our fiscal year 2019 incentive programs, we recognized that there were substantial reductions in prescription reimbursement rates that would have to be overcome.


Table of Contents

        Our Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (which consists of Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations plus Adjusted EBITDA from the stores sold to Walgreens up to each store's respective sale date), for short-term incentive calculation purposes, for fiscal year 2019 was $563 million, which was below our annual plan target of $645 million, but above the threshold performance level of $548 million. Based on performance against the goal, and as described in more detail below under "Cash Incentive Bonuses," our Named Executive Officers were paid bonuses at 58% of target for fiscal year 2019 performance. See Appendix A for a reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure, to net income under GAAP.

With respect to long-term performance awards, the Compensation Committee replaced the leverage ratio with a return on net asset ratio ascontinued to be a component of the performance metric over the three year performance period.assessment. The Compensation Committee believes that return on net assets is a key indicator of our corporate performance, as it measures how efficiently and effectively we deploy our assets (return on net assets) and focuses management on the need to improve the Company's financial condition over time. Additionally, with respect to our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee includedhas maintained a plan provision subjecting the long-term performance award to positive or negative modification based on our relative stockholder return versus the Russell 3000 Index over the three-year measuringperformance period.

        As discussed above, our Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2016 was $1,402 million which was above our adjusted annual plan target of $1,385 million. We originally established an Adjusted EBITDA performance target of $1,285 million for fiscal year 2016. This original plan target of $1,285 million was subsequently adjusted upward to include the impact of the projected EBITDA results of EnvisionRx, which was acquired after the Adjusted EBITDA target for the fiscal year was first established. Based on performance against the adjusted goal, and as described in more detail below under "Cash Incentive Bonuses," we paid annual incentives to our Named Executive Officers at 112% of target level.

        The performance targets for the long-term incentive awards granted to our Named Executive Officers in the form of performance stock in fiscal year 20162019 are discussed in detail below. See "Components of Executive Compensation for Fiscal Year 2016—Long-Term"Long-Term Incentive Program, Program—Performance Awards" on pages 34-37. Pursuant47 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger that was entered into on October 27, 2015, performance awards that are granted after that date will not provide for accelerated vesting in connection with a change in control, and the pending merger will not constitute the first trigger in connection with any "double trigger" vesting provisions. As a result, the 2015 advisory stockholder proposal on acceleration on vesting of performance awards, which received the support of a majority of votes cast at the 2015 annual meeting, has been substantially implemented.49.

Objectives of Our Executive Compensation Program

        All of our executive compensation and benefits programs are within the purview of the Compensation Committee, which bases these programs on the same objectives that guide the Company in establishing all of its compensation programs. The Compensation Committee also administers the Company's equity incentive compensation plans. In establishing or approving the compensation of our


Table of Contents

Named Executive Officers in any given year, the Compensation Committee is generally guided by the following objectives:


Table of Contents

    Compensation and benefit programs should reward performance relative to consistent measures and goals at all levels of the organization. While the programs and individual pay levels will always reflect differences in job responsibilities, geographies, and marketplace considerations, the overall structure of compensation and benefit programs should be broadly similar across the organization.

    Compensation and benefit programs should attract and retain associates who are interested in a career at Rite Aid.

The Compensation Committee's Processes

        The Compensation Committee has established a number of processes to assist it in ensuring that the Company's executive compensation program is achieving its objectives. Among those are:

        Assessment of Company performance.    The Compensation Committee uses Company performance measures in two ways.

        First, in assessing the linkage between actual total compensation and performance, the Compensation Committee considers various measures of Company and industry performance, such as comparable store sales growth, EBITDA growth, return on sales, debt leverage ratios, return on average invested capital and net assets, and total stockholder return. In determining performance relative to the Company's peer group (as discussed further below), the Compensation Committee does not apply a formula or assign these performance measures relative weights. Instead, it makes a subjective determination after considering such measures collectively.

        Second, as described in more detail below, the Compensation Committee has established specific Company target incentive/award levels and performance measures that determine the size of payouts under the Company's two formula-based incentive programs—the annual cash incentive bonus program and performance awards granted under the Company's long-term incentive program.


Table of Contents

        Assessment of competitive compensation levels.    The Compensation Committee, with the help of its independent compensation consultant Exequity LLP, assesses the Company's programs relative to a peer group of retail organizations and published survey data. The peer group, updated in fiscal year 2018 to reflect the reduction in size of Rite Aid following the planned divestiture of stores and distribution centers to WBA, was originally approved by the Compensation Committee in January 2015September 2017 after a comprehensive review. Because the Company has a limited number of publicly-traded direct competitors and because pharmacy sales (which account for over two-thirds of the Company's revenue) are governed by third-party contracts, we reviewed potential peers relative to multiple criteria including:


Table of Contents

The resulting peer companies, which are considered to be the best representation of our target labor market, are listed below.


Fiscal Year 20162019 Peer Group

Peer Company
 Revenues
($ Millions)
 

CVS CaremarkHealth Corp

184,765

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. 

120,453

Best Buy Co., Inc. 

42,151

Macy's, Inc. 

24,837

Dollar General Corp. 

  143,01023,471 

AmerisourceBergen Corp. 

128,195

Walgreen Co. 

84,585

The Home Depot,Dollar Tree, Inc. 

  83,17622,246 

Target Corp. 

72,618

Lowe's Companies,AutoNation, Inc. 

  56,22321,535

Kohl's Corporation

19,095 

Sears Holdings Corp. 

  31,19816,702 

The TJX Companies,SuperValu, Inc. 

  29,078

Macy's, Inc. 

28,105

Staples Inc. 

22,492

Catamaran Corporation

22,647

Dollar General Corp. 

18,910

Supervalu Inc. 

17,820

Office Depot Inc. 

15,619

Whole Foods Market, Inc. 

14,95214,649 

J.C. Penney Company, Inc. 

  12,25712,506 

Family Dollar Stores,Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. 

  10,62812,167

DaVita Inc. 

10,884

Office Depot Inc. 

10,240

LabCorp Holdings

10,206

Owens & Minor, Inc. 

9,686

        The peer group was further reviewed, updated, and approved by the Compensation Committee in February 2019 to reflect the changes in the peer group, as a result of mergers and delisting of certain members of the fiscal year 2019 peer group, and further consideration of relevant size using Company comparisons to revenue, market capitalization, and EBITDA. Among other changes, we decided to remove CVS Health Corp. and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. from the peer group, even though each organization is a direct competitor from both business and talent acquisition perspectives, because the Compensation Committee determined that these organizations are no longer appropriate peers given their significantly larger scope of operations.


Updated Fiscal Year 2020 Peer Group(1)

Peer Company
Revenues
($ Millions)

Best Buy Co., Inc. 

43,441

Macy's, Inc. 

25,141

Dollar General Corp. 

25,105 

Dollar Tree, Inc. 

  8,60222,979

AutoNation, Inc. 

21,685

Kohl's Corporation

19,474

The Gap. 

16,735

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings

14,060

Community Health Systems, Inc. 

13,760

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. 

12,437

J.C. Penney Company, Inc. 

12,001

DaVita Inc. 

11,365

Office Depot Inc. 

10,928

Owens & Minor, Inc. 

9,686 

Note:(1)
Revenue reflects trailing 12 month12-month data through February 20152018 as available per Standard & Poor's Research Insight.Capital IQ.

Table of Contents

        The Compensation Committee compares the compensation levels of Rite Aid's Named Executive Officers to peer company compensation levels in the aggregate, and also compares the pay of individual executives if the jobs are sufficiently similar to make the comparison meaningful. Had the updated fiscal year 2020 peer group been used for all fiscal year 2019 compensation decisions, the analysis would have supported like decisions being made.

        In addition to the peer group data, the Compensation Committee reviews market data based on specific functional responsibility for each executive from published survey data. The survey analysis


Table of Contents

targets data from similarly-sizedsimilarly sized retail organizations based on each executive's functional responsibility. The surveys used in the analysis include Mercer'sGlobal Premium2018 Executive Remuneration Suite, Mercer's2018 Retail Compensation and Benefits Survey, and Towers Watson's2018 Survey Report on Top Management Compensation.

        The Compensation Committee uses the peer group and survey data primarily to ensure that the executive compensation program as a whole is competitive, meaning generally within 25% of the median range of comparative pay of the market when Rite Aid achieves the targeted performance levels. The Compensation Committeeincentive plans were further designed the incentive plans in such a way that executives can earn above competitive levels for superior performance and below competitive levels if performance is below expectations. The Compensation Committee assesses overall alignment of the compensation program rather than benchmarking a specific target position with consideration of factors, such as Company and individual performance, how executive roles function within Rite Aid, concerns about executive retention, and availability of equity compensation. The Compensation Committee assesses Rite Aid's performance relative to its peer group on both a one- and three-year basis and observed alignment of performance with actual total direct compensation levels for the executives in the aggregate.

        In fiscal year 2016,2019, management engaged Mercer, a compensation consultant, to provide management with compensation information for certain executive officers. Pursuant to the terms of its retention, Mercer reported directly to management, and not to the Compensation Committee, although the Compensation Committee did review recommendations and an analysis prepared by management and Mercer in determining fiscal year 20162019 compensation for the Named Executive Officers.

        Total compensation review.    The Compensation Committee reviews each named executive's base pay, annual bonus, and long-term incentives annually with the guidance of the Compensation Committee's independent compensation consultant. Following the fiscal year 20162019 review, the Compensation Committee determined that the target level and components of compensation for fiscal year 20162019 were competitive and reasonable in the aggregate.

Components of Executive Compensation for Fiscal Year 20162019

        For fiscal year 2016,2019, the regular compensation program for our Named Executive Officers consisted of four primary components: (i) base salary, (ii) a cash incentive bonus opportunity under the Company's annual incentive bonus plan, (iii) long-term incentives consisting of stock options, restricted stock and performanceperformance-based restricted cash units, and (iv) a benefits package, including a Supplemental Executive Retirement Programsupplemental executive retirement program ("SERP"). The Company terminated the SERP as of March of 2019. A significant portion of total compensation under the fiscal year 2019 program is variable, i.e.,meaning a significant portion is subject to performance and is comprised of target annual incentives and target long-term incentives.

        The Compensation Committee believes that this program was intended to appropriately balancesbalance the mix of cash and equity compensation, the mix of currently-paid and longer-term compensation, and the security of base benefits in a way that best furthers the compensation objectives discussed above. The chart below shows the overall mix of base salary, target annual incentives, target long-term incentives, and contributions under the SERP for Messrs. Standley, Martindale,Crawford, Karst, and MontiniEverett, and Ms. Castle.Konrad.


Table of Contents


Target Total Remuneration(1)(2)

Compensation Component as a % of Total Remuneration for Fiscal Year 20162019

GRAPHICGRAPHIC


(1)
Target Total Remuneration represents the sum of base salary, target annual incentives, target long-term incentives, and SERP contributions. ValueTarget Total Compensation does not include (i) the value of broad-based benefits provided to all employees, and(ii) components of all other compensation (except the SERP) have been excluded.shown in the Summary Compensation Table, and (iii) retention awards. The Company terminated the SERP as of March of 2019.

Realized Long-Term Incentive Awards

        A significant portion of our long-term incentive awards are subject to performance metrics. This is an important aspect of our Named Executive Officers' and other executives' compensation aligning their interests with those of our stockholders. While equity-based awards are reported in the summary compensation table at target value in the year granted, the value realized is dependent on the actual performance over the measurement period. The realized value from our performance-based long-term


Table of Contents

equity awards where the measurement period ended during the current reported results are as noted in the chart below.

 
  
  
 Standley(1)
  
 Crawford(2)
  
 Karst
  
 Everett(3)
  
 Konrad(4)
  

 

 

Total Target Value of Performance Awards Reported in Summary Compensation Table in fiscal years 2015 - 2017

   $16,986,250   n/a   $1,915,750   $345,938   n/a  

 

 

Total Realized Value in fiscal years 2017 - 2019 of Performance Awards Reported in Compensation Summary Compensation Table in fiscal years 2015 - 2017

   
$

2,661,291
   

n/a

   
$

   
$

   

n/a

  

(1)
Mr. Standley's results include the special performance award granted in fiscal year 2016 related to the integration of EnvisionRx, which was realized in July 2017 with a then market value of $2,661,291.

(2)
The specialMr. Crawford was first employed by Rite Aid in fiscal year 2018 and did not receive any performance awards granted to Messrs. Standley and Martindale, described below under "Performance Awards," arefor fiscal years 2015-2017.

(3)
Mr. Everett's results reflect compensation reported for fiscal year 2017 only, the year in which he became a Named Executive Officer.

(4)
Ms. Konrad was not included in Target Total Remuneration.a Named Executive Officer for fiscal years 2015-2017.

Base Salary

        Base salary is one element of an executive's annual cash compensation during employment. The value of base salary reflects the executive's long-term performance, skill set, and the market value of that skill set. In setting base salaries for fiscal year 2016,2019, the Compensation Committee considered the following factors:

        Pay levels at comparable companies.    As noted above, the Compensation Committee uses the peer group data to test for the reasonableness and competitiveness of base salaries, but it also exercisedexercises subjective judgment in view of the Company's compensation objectives.

        Internal relativity.    Meaning the relative pay differences for different job levels.


Table of Contents

        Individual performance.    Except for increases associated with promotions or increased responsibility, increases in base salary for executives from year to year are generally limited to minimal adjustments to reflect individual performance.

        Consideration of the mix of overall compensation.    Consistent with our compensation objectives, as executives progress to higher levels in the organization, a greater proportion of overall compensation is directly linked to Company performance and stockholder returns. Mr. Standley's overalltarget total compensation, for example, is more heavily weighted toward short- and long-term incentive compensation (approximately 85% in the aggregate as shown in the bar chart above) than that of the other Named Executive Officers.

        The Compensation Committee reviewed the Named Executive Officers' base salaries in JuneApril of fiscal year 20162019 and considered the principles described above under "The Compensation Committee's


Table of Contents

Processes" in establishing the Named Executive Officers' base salaries for the fiscal year. As reflectedyear as noted in the table below, based on the anticipated business challenges, the Compensation Committee approved management's proposal to not provide a salary increase for the Named Executive Officers in fiscal year 2016 other than in respect of salary adjustments related to Mr. Montini's promotion on August 7, 2015. The Compensation Committee also approved salary adjustments, shown below, to reflect the change in the roles of Messrs. Vitrano and Thompson in October and January, respectively. See the section entitled "Other Post-Employment and Change in Control Benefits; Removal of Excise Tax Gross Ups" for a description of Mr. Montini's promotion and the change in roles of Messrs. Vitrano and Thompson.chart below.

Executive
 Base Salary at
End of FY 2016
 Increase or
Change from
Prior Fiscal Year
 Rationale

John T. Standley

 $1,150,000   

Kenneth A. Martindale

 $900,000   

Darren W. Karst

 $790,000   

Enio Anthony Montini, Jr. 

 $460,000  5.2%Promotion

Dedra N. Castle

 $425,000   

Frank G. Vitrano

 $500,000  –40.8%Change in position

Robert K. Thompson

 $250,000  –50.0%Change in position
Executive
 Base Salary at
End of FY 2018
 Increase or
Change from
Prior Fiscal Year
 Rationale

John T. Standley

 $1,220,550   Potential merger

Kermit Crawford

 $1,000,000   Potential merger

Darren W. Karst

 $850,750  2.5%Performance

Bryan B. Everett

 $618,000  3.0%Performance

Jocelyn Z. Konrad

 $461,250  2.5%Performance

Cash Incentive Bonuses

        The Company established an annual incentive plan in order to incentivize the Named Executive Officers to meet the Company's Adjusted EBITDA target for fiscal year 2016.2019. The Compensation Committee establishes a target percentage of salary for each participant at the beginning of the fiscal year and approves the financial goals required for the Company to pay an award. Payouts for the Named Executive Officers are then determined by the Company's financial results for the year relative to the predetermined performance measures. As shown in the Summary Compensation Table under "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation," incentives were paid to Named Executive Officers for fiscal year 20162019 performance.

        Bonus targets.    Targets for each Named Executive Officer were determined based on job responsibilities, internal relativity, and peer group and survey data. The Compensation Committee's objective was to set bonus targets such that total annual cash compensation (including base salary and annual incentive assuming a target payout) was generally aligned with the market with a substantial portion of that compensation linked to corporate performance. Consistent with our executive compensation philosophy, individuals with greater job responsibilities had a greater proportion of their total cash compensation tied to Company performance through the incentive plan. The Compensation Committee, as a result, established the following targets for fiscal year 2016 (expressed as a percentage2019:


Table of Contents

of base salary, including a weighted percentage for Messrs. Karst, Vitrano, and Thompson due to changes in position during the fiscal year):


Annual Incentive Opportunity

Executive
 Threshold Payout
(as a % of Salary)
 Target Payout
(as a % of Salary)
 Maximum Payout
(as a % of Salary)
 

John T. Standley

  200% 200% 400%

Kenneth A. Martindale

  150% 150% 300%

Darren W. Karst

  104% 104% 208%

Enio Anthony Montini, Jr. 

  75% 75% 150%

Dedra N. Castle

  75% 75% 150%

Frank G. Vitrano

  107% 107% 214%

Robert K. Thompson

  62.5% 62.5% 125%

        Company performance measures.    The Compensation Committee established the following Company performance goal, which applied to all plan participants, in February 2015:


Fiscal Year 2016 Annual Incentive Plan Performance Goal

Performance Level
 Adjusted EBITDA
Goal (millions)
 

Threshold

 $1,385 

Target

 $1,385 

Maximum

 $1,524 
Executive
 Threshold Payout
(as a % of Salary)
 Target Payout
(as a % of Salary)
 Maximum Payout
(as a % of Salary)
 

John T. Standley

  100% 200% 400%

Kermit Crawford

  87.5% 175% 350%

Darren W. Karst

  62.5% 125% 250%

Bryan B. Everett

  50% 100% 200%

Jocelyn Z. Konrad

  37.5% 75% 150%

        The Compensation Committee believes that using Adjusted EBITDA as the measure for the annual incentive plan appropriately encourages officers, including the Named Executive Officers, to focus on improving operating results which ultimately drive stockholder value. EBITDA growth has historically shown a strong positive correlation with three-year and five-year total stockholder return for Rite Aid and its peer group. The majority of Rite Aid's peer companies use an EBITDA measure in their annual incentive plans. Based on Rite Aid's current financial situation and capital structure, the Compensation Committee believes that Adjusted EBITDA is the best indicator of Rite Aid's operating performance. The measure is tracked regularly and is clearly understood by the officers, and the officersofficers. Officers can impact the measure by taking actions to improve the operating performance of our stores. In addition, the Company regularly communicates Adjusted EBITDA to the investment community.


Table of Contents

        Under the plan formula, payouts can range from 0% to 200% of bonus targets depending on Company performance. We originallyThe Compensation Committee established an Adjusted EBITDA performance target of $1,285$645 million for fiscal year 2016. Although this2019, based on the financial plan targets. This performance level target, based on the financial plan, was only slightly below15% above our fiscal year 20152018 performance of $1,323 million, we$560 million. Because of the recognized the challenges within our target related to continuedprescription reimbursement rate pressure and more drug cost increases than normal, offset bychallenges, the benefits of improved generic purchasing as a result of the new McKesson agreement. As a result ofCompensation Committee also established in the performance target relationship to priorfor fiscal year the Compensation Committee set2019 a threshold levelat which management could be rewarded at 50% of performance equal to thebonus target so that management was only rewarded for performance at or above target. Our original plan target of $1,285 million was subsequently adjusted upward to include the impact of the projected EBITDA results of EnvisionRx, which was acquired after the original target for the fiscal year was established. This adjustment was deemed necessary in order to ensure that annual incentive payments would be earned based on performance. The adjusted target levelachievement of Adjusted EBITDA of $1,385$548 million was based on our annual operating plan(85% of target), and was in line with guidance provided to the investment community.


TableCompensation Committee approved a maximum at which management could be rewarded at 200% of Contentsbonus target at achievement of Adjusted EBITDA of $710 million (110% of target).

        In fiscal year 2016,2019, challenges caused by the uncertainty of the proposed Albertsons merger as well as the ultimate termination of the merger agreement, the WBA Transactions, as well as continued prescription reimbursement rate pressures all had a negative impact on our fiscal year 2019 results, and Rite Aid's actual Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $1,402$563 million, which was below the target performance level, but above the targetthreshold performance level, resulting in bonus payments at 112%58% of the target level.performance target. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA consists of Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations plus Adjusted EBITDA from the stores sold to Walgreens up to each store's respective sale date. As discussed in greater detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K,Appendix A, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) excluding the impact of income taxes, (and any corresponding adjustments to tax indemnification asset), interest expense, depreciation and amortization, LIFO adjustments, charges or credits for facility closing and impairment, goodwill impairment, inventory write-downs related to store closings, debt retirements, the WBA merger termination fee, and other items (including stock-based compensation expense, merger and acquisition-related costs, severance and costs related to distribution center closures, gain or loss on sale of assets, and investments and revenue deferrals related to our customer loyalty program). We reference this particular non-GAAP financial measure not only as a basis for incentive compensation but also in our corporate decision-making because it provides supplemental information that facilitates internal comparisons to the historical operating performance of prior periods and external comparisons to competitors' historical operating performance.


Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Incentive Plan Performance Goal

Performance Level
 Adjusted EBITDA
Goal (millions)
 Resulting Payout
as a % of
Target Award
 

Threshold

 $548  50%

Target

 $645  100%

Maximum

 $710  200%

Actual Performance

 $563  58%

Long-Term Incentive Program

        Long-term incentive target opportunity.    The purpose of the regular long-term incentive program is to support the long-term perspective necessary for continued success in our business and focus our Named Executive Officers on creating long-term, sustainable stockholder value. Our annual long-term


Table of Contents

incentive targets, at the date of grant (June 24, 2015),("LTI") target opportunities for each Named Executive Officer as of the date of grant on January 4, 2019 are shown below:


Long-Term Incentive TargetsTarget Opportunities

Executive
 Target Opportunity
(as a % of Salary)
 

John T. Standley

  500%

Kenneth A. MartindaleKermit Crawford

  400425%

Darren W. Karst

  250%

Bryan B. Everett

200%

Enio Anthony Montini, Jr. Jocelyn Z. Konrad

  150%

Dedra N. Castle

150%

Frank G. Vitrano

220%

Robert K. Thompson

200%

        The Compensation Committee reviewed available peer group data and found that the design of the long-term incentive program is reasonably aligned with general retail industry market practice. Target grant values for individual executive officers were established based on individual performance and internal relativity. Consistent with the Company's compensation philosophy, executive officers at higher levels received a greater proportion of total pay in the form of long-term incentives. As a result of Messrs. Karst, Vitrano, and Thompson's changes in position, Mr. Karst's long-term incentive target will increase to 220% and Messrs. Vitrano and Thompson's will decrease to 75% and 0%, respectively, for future grants.


Table of Contents

        Long-term incentive mix.    In fiscal year 20162019 we used the following types of awards:awards and increased the percentage of the award that is subject to performance:

Vehicle
 Approximate
Proportion of 20162019
Long-Term
Incentive Target
Opportunity
 Purpose

Stock OptionsPerformance-Based Cash Units

  40%Provides a vehicle measured by stock price that rewards increases in stockholder value.

Performance Awards

3570%Links compensation to multi-year operating results on key measures tied to stockholder value creation.

Restricted Stock

  2530%Supports retention and provides a vehicle with more stability and less risk. Aligns executive and stockholder interests and focuses executives on value creation.

        In determining the overall mix of long-term incentive vehicles, the following factors were considered:

        The Compensation Committee's process for setting grant dates is discussed below. Then, onOn the approval date, those values are converted to the equivalent number of shares based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of approval for restricted shares and using the Black-Scholes valuation method for stock options. Performance awards are denominated in shares (1 unit = 1 share).approval.


Table of Contents

        Grant timing.    The Compensation Committee has a policy that, in the normal course, annual long-term incentive awards (other than special or new hire grants) will be approved by the Compensation Committee once a year at its annual meeting held in connection with the annual stockholdersstockholders' meeting, with a grant date equal to the later of the second business day after release of the Company's first quarter earnings or the date of approval. Grants are made to the Named Executive Officers at the same time as awards are made to all other associates as part of the annual grant process. Due toWith the first quarter 2016 earnings release being released one week prior to the annual meeting, the grant date for thedelay in our fiscal year 20162018 annual long term incentivestockholders meeting and the changing of board members, resulting in new members of the Compensation Committee, the Committee took action in its December, 2018 meeting to grant fiscal year 2019 awards is thewith an effective date of the annual meeting.January 4, 2019.

        Special awards.    From time to time, the Company may make grants in addition to the annual equity grant, including those to Named Executive Officers. Typically, these grants include awards to new hires, promotional awards, or retention awards. Special awards can also be utilized to provide special performance incentives in connection with specific corporate or financial goals of the Company. No special awards were made to our Named Executive Officers in fiscal year 2019.

Performance Awards

        Performance awards granted to the Named Executive Officers under the regular long-term incentive program are in the form of units, which are denominated in a target number of shares and


Table of Contents

payable in Company stock or cash, if the designated, or are denominated with a target unit value equal to $1.00. Company performance goals are achievedestablished and achievable over the prescribed performance period. Payouts can range from 0% (for performance below threshold) to 250% of target.target (for performance at or above maximum). Performance awards are intended to align interests of executives with those of stockholders through the use of measures the Company believes drive its long-term success. Performance awards are normally granted annually and are structured as a targeted number of units based on the Company's achievement of specific performance levels with payout occurring after a three-year period.

        For the 2017 performance award grants (the "2017-2019 Plan"), the Compensation Committee based 80% of the award on the achievement of three-year (fiscal year 2017-fiscal year 2019) cumulative Adjusted EBITDA goals and the remaining 20% on leverage ratio goals for fiscal years 2014 and 2015, andthree-year (fiscal year 2017-fiscal year 2019) return on net assets for fiscal year 2016; in each case to be measured over three years respectively. In addition, theasset goals. The Compensation Committee also added a provision for each cycle, subjecting the award to modification based on our relative stockholder return versus the Russell 3000 Index over the respective three yearthree-year measuring periods, which theperiods. The Compensation Committee believes wouldthis provision further alignaligns the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders and addadds an additional incentive for them to create sustainable long-term value for the Company.

        2014-2016 Plan.    The 2014-2016        Under the 2017-2019 Plan, participants had the opportunity to earn shares of Rite Aid stock, contingent on cumulative Company financial performance for the three-year period spanning fiscal year 2017-fiscal year 2019. Such financial performance is based 80% on the Adjusted EBITDA goals and 20% on leverage ratio goals to be determined over the three year performance period, as the Compensation Committee again determined that these goals appropriately balanced maximizing profitability and improving our financial condition through the reduction of debt leverage.return on net asset goals. In addition, in order to further align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders and add an additional incentive for them to create sustainable long-term value for the Company, the Compensation Committee also determined to subject the award to modification of +/–25% based on our relative stockholder return versus the Russell 3000 Index over the three yearthree-year measuring period. For fiscal years 2014 through 2016, performance has exceeded target levels for both measures. Cumulative2017-2019, actual Adjusted EBITDA of $1,871 million was $4,075 millionbelow the three-year performance threshold of $3,135 million. Actual return on net assets was 1.5% compared to a target of $3,860 million. The actual three-year average leverage ratio, adjusted5.1%. Accordingly, no awards were earned under the 2017-2019 Plan.


Table of Contents

        For the 2018 performance award grants ("2018-2020 Plan"), the Compensation Committee also based 80% of the award on the achievement of Adjusted EBITDA goals and the remaining 20% on return on net assets performance. However, due to the significant uncertainty during the transition of our business in 2018, the 2018-2020 Plan financial performance goals are based on the accumulation of one-year goals set for 2019 and 2020 only. As in prior cycles, the Compensation Committee added a full year of adjusted EnvisionRX EBITDA, was 4.60 comparedprovision subjecting the award to a target of 4.71 (note that lower leverage ratios represent better performance). Additionally,modification based on our relative stockholder return is performing in the top one-third ofversus the Russell 3000 Index. PerformanceIndex over the period resulted in an averagefull 2018-2020 performance period.

        Under the 2018-2020 Plan, participants have the opportunity to earn cash payoutpayments after the end of 165%fiscal year 2020, contingent on performance relative to accumulated one-year Company financial performance goals for each of target unit value.

        2015-2017 Plan.    The 2015-2017 Planfiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2020. Such financial performance is based 80% on the Adjusted EBITDA goals and 20% on leverage ratio goalsreturn on net asset goals. The value of a unit is tied to be determined over the three year performance period.stock price with a maximum value of 300% of the grant date stock price. This aligns the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders. In addition, in order to further align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders and add an additional incentive for them to create sustainable long-term value for the Company, the Compensation Committee also determined to subject the award to modification of +/– 25% based on our relative stockholder return versus the Russell 3000 Index over the three year measuringthree-year vesting period.

        For fiscal years 2015 & 2016,the 2019 performance is slightly lower than target for both levels.award grants ("2019-2021 Plan"), the Compensation Committee also based 80% of the award on the achievement of Adjusted EBITDA was $2,724 million comparedgoals and the remaining 20% on return on net assets performance. However, due to the delay in grant timing and the significant uncertainty during the transition of our business in 2019, as well as prescription reimbursement rate challenges, the 2019-2021 Plan financial performance goals are based on the accumulation of one-year goals set for 2020 and 2021 only. As in prior cycles, the Compensation Committee added a target of $2,735 million. Actual leverage ratio was 4.57 comparedprovision subjecting the award to a target of 4.44 (note that lower leverage ratios represent better performance). Ourmodification based on our relative stockholder return is performing in the top one-third ofversus the Russell 3000 Index which if sustained over the full 2019-2021 performance period would result in a positive modificationperiod.

        Under the 2019-2021 Plan, participants have the opportunity to earn cash payments after the end of the awards.

        2016-2018 Plan.    The 2016-2018 Planfiscal year 2021, contingent on performance relative to accumulated one-year Company financial performance goals for each of fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021. Such financial performance is based 80% on the Adjusted EBITDA goals and 20% on return on net asset goalsgoals. The value of a unit is equal to be determined over$1.00. These performance targets align the three year performance period. The Compensation Committee set a three-year cumulative target for both metrics.interests of our executives with those of our stockholders. In addition, in order to further align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders and add an additional incentive for them to create sustainable long-term value for the Company, the Compensation Committee also determined to subject the award to modification of +/– 25% based on our relative stockholder return versus the Russell 3000 Index over the three year measuringthree-year vesting period. As shown in the table below, payouts can range from 0% (for performance below threshold) to 250% of the target number of units (for performance at or above maximum). 37.5% of the target unit award can be earned for performance at threshold levels.


Table of Contents

        Special
2019-2021 Plan: Performance Awards for Fiscal Year 2016.Units
    On June 24, 2015, the Company granted special performance awards to Messrs. Standley and Martindale to assist with retention and provide focus on key performance components and business integration goals important to the success of the Company. The Committee identified that Mr. Standley's historical compensation has been below the median level of our peer group and survey data, and his leadership is critical to the success of our company, including the integration of EnvisionRx. The special award granted to

Executive(a)
 Threshold
Award
($)
 Target
Award
($)
 Maximum
Award
($)
 

John T. Standley(1)

 $1,601,963 $4,271,900 $10,679,750 

Kermit Crawford(2)

 $1,115,625 $2,975,000 $7,437,500 

Darren W. Karst(2)

 $558,300 $1,488,800 $3,722,000 

Bryan B. Everett

 $324,450 $865,200 $2,163,000 

Jocelyn Z. Konrad

 $181,613 $484,300 $1,210,750 

(1)
Mr. Standley will vestforfeit this award upon his departure from the Company.

(2)
Mr. Crawford forfeited this award with his departure from the Company on March 12, 2019, and Mr. Karst forfeited this award upon his departure from the earlier of June 24, 2017 or the date of the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to his continued employment through such date, basedCompany on the achievement of the successful integration of EnvisionRx and its business units into the Company. Mr. Standley's total compensation, including Mr. Standley's special award amortized over the vesting period, more closely aligns with the Company's positive performance relative to the peer group.

        The Committee recognized the importance of Mr. Martindale's role in leading our store operations through significant management changes, including executives in pharmacy, store operations, logistics and marketing. A special award was granted to Mr. Martindale to provide focus on delivery of company net income and to retain him over the three year measurement period. The special award granted to Mr. Martindale will vest on the earlier of the date of reporting of fiscal year 2018 results or the date of the Company's 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to his continued employment through such date, based on the achievement of cumulative adjusted net income criteria over the three year performance period. Mr. Martindale is eligible to receive 200% of the target number of shares awarded if the cumulative adjusted net income meets or exceeds 120% of the target level of performance. No portion of Mr. Martindale's special award will vest where the achievement is less than 80% of the target level of performance. See Footnote 6 to the Summary Compensation Table for additional information regarding the special performance awards.

May 31, 2019.

Stock Options

        Stock options are intended to reward executives for value creation and they only have value if our stock price increases over time, which aligns the interests of our executives with our stockholders. The Company's ten-year options, granted at the market price on the date of grant, help focus executives on long-term growth. In addition, because options vest ratably over a four-year period, they are intended to help retain executives and keep them focused on long-term performance.

Restricted Stock

        Restricted stock grants are intended to support retention of executives and focus them on long-term performance because they generally vest over a multi-year period (three years or longer) and are tied to the value of our stock. The risk profile of restricted stock is aligned with stockholders, as it can motivate executives to both increase and preserve stock price. The table below summarizes 2019 restricted stock awards:


2019 Restricted Stock Awards

Executive
 Award Value
($)
 # of Shares 

John T. Standley

 $1,830,829  118,885 

Kermit Crawford(1)

 $1,274,966  82,790 

Darren W. Karst(2)

 $638,099  41,435 

Bryan B. Everett

 $370,832  24,080 

Jocelyn Z. Konrad

 $207,592  13,480 

(1)
Mr. Crawford forfeited this award with his departure from the Company on March 12, 2019.

(2)
Mr. Karst forfeited a portion of this award pursuant to his separation agreement upon his departure from the Company on May 31, 2019.

Winding Down Retention Efforts in Fiscal Year 2019

        In addition to the fiscal year 2018 regular compensation program for the Named Executive Officers, Rite Aid also entered into individual retention agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers, as well as other key associates who are not named executive officers, to enhance employee retention and promote corporate performance, amidst significant volatility and uncertainty related to restructuring the company. The retention agreements with each Named Executive Officer, other than Messrs. Standley and Crawford, generally provided for the lump-sum payment of the retention awards


(a)
Because Mr. Crawford did not commence employment with the Company until after the date the 2018- 2020 Plan was established, he did not participate in the 2018-2020 Plan. As previously disclosed, on his October 2, 2017 start date, Mr. Crawford received 1,000,000 stock options and 975,610 restricted shares.

Table of Contents

in equal installments on August 1, 2018 and May 1, 2019, subject to continued employment through such retention date or upon an earlier qualifying termination.

        The retention agreement with Mr. Crawford generally provided for the lump-sum payment of the retention award on October 1, 2019, subject to continued employment through such retention date or an earlier qualifying termination of employment. Mr. Crawford forfeited this award with his departure on March 12, 2019.

        The retention agreement with Mr. Standley generally provided for the lump-sum payment of the retention award (x) on the completion of the Albertson's merger if Mr. Standley has not been appointed to serve as chief executive officer of the combined company or (y) on the date that the Rite Aid Board of Directors determines that the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will not be consummated, in each case, subject to continued employment through each such retention date or an earlier qualifying termination of employment. Due to the termination of the Merger Agreement on August 8, 2018, Mr. Standley received the $3,000,000 retention payment to which he was entitled under his retention agreement.

        Under the remaining retention agreements granted in fiscal year 2018, in the aggregate, Mr. Karst earned a retention payment of $830,250, Mr. Everett earned a retention payment of $600,000 and Ms. Konrad earned a retention payment of $450,000. 50% of the retention amount for each officer, other than Messers. Standley and Crawford, was paid in fiscal year 2019 based on continued employment on August 1, 2018, and the remaining 50% was paid based on continued employment on May 1, 2019.

        Based on stockholder discussions and clarity around the business strategy, Rite Aid did not enter into any new individual retention agreements for any of the Named Executive Officers in fiscal year 2019 and does not believe it will enter into any new retention agreements in fiscal year 2020.

Post-Retirement Benefits

        Supplemental Executive Retirement Program.    EachDuring fiscal year 2019, each of the Named Executive Officers receivesreceived benefits under a defined contribution supplemental executive retirement plan ("SERP").or SERP. Under the SERP, Rite Aid creditscredited each participant with a specific sum to an individual account established for theeach participant, on a monthly basis while the participant is employed. The amount credited iswas equal to 2% of the executive officer'sparticipant's annual base compensation. The participants are able to select among a choice of earnings indexes, and their accounts are credited with earnings that mirror the investment results of such indexes. Participants vestvested in their accounts at the rate of 20% per year for each calendar year of participation in the SERP at a five-year rolling rate with the entire account balance for each participant vesting upon death or total disability of the participant, termination without cause during the 12-month period following a "change in control" of the Company as defined in the SERP or upon termination of


Table of Contents

employment at age 60 or greater with at least five years of participation in the SERP. Effective February 25, 2019, the Company terminated the SERP such that there will be no future contributions or accruals as of March 2019. Existing SERP benefits have been fully vested and will be paid out in accordance with plan terms. SERP payments may be delayed due to certain tax rules or deferral elections made by the executive.

Other Post-Employment and Change in Control Benefits; Removal of Excise Tax Gross UpsBenefits

        To attract and retain highly skilled executives and to provide for certainty of rights and obligations, Rite Aid has historically provided employment agreements to its executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers. The terms of the employment agreements are described in more detail under the caption "Executive Employment Agreements." Additional information regarding the severance and change in control benefits provided under the employment agreements is described under the section entitled "Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control."


        During fiscal year 2016, Rite Aid, upon the recommendationTable of the Compensation Committee, approved a change in role and related amendments to the employment agreement with Mr. Vitrano, who previously served as Rite Aid's Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer and now serves as Chief Strategic Business Development Officer. Pursuant to these amendments, in light of a reduced role, Mr. Vitrano's annual base salary was reduced to $500,000 and his target annual incentive opportunity was reduced to 75% of his annual base salary. The Company also approved the promotion of Mr. Karst to the additional position of Chief Administrative Officer with, effective August 3, 2015, an increase in his target annual incentive opportunity to 125% of base salary, but no other increases in fiscal year 2016 compensation. Upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, Rite Aid also approved amendments to update the employment agreements with Messrs. Martindale and Montini as needed in order to reflect such executive officer's current titles, duties and compensation with Rite Aid. As a matter of good corporate governance, in connection with the employment agreement amendments approved for Messrs. Vitrano, Martindale and Montini, each executive relinquished his excise tax gross up provision, which was replaced with the requirement that any change in control payments that become payable will be reduced to the amount that is not subject to such taxes if doing so would result in a greater after-tax payment to the executive.Contents

Deductibility Cap on Executive Compensation

        The Compensation Committee is aware that Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), treats certain elements of executive compensation in excess of $1,000,000 a year payable to our Chief Executive Officer and three other most highly compensated executives (other than(and, effective beginning in 2018, our Chief Financial Officer) as an expense not deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes. PaymentsThe exception providing that payments to these individuals in excess of the $1,000,000 limit will be deductible if they meetsuch payments are performance-based was repealed beginning in 2018, as further described below.

        H.R.1, formally known as the definition of "performance-based compensation" as defined in"Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," enacted on December 22, 2017, substantially modifies Section 162(m) by, among other things, eliminating the performance-based exception to the $1 million deduction limit effective as of the Code.

January 1, 2018. As a result, beginning in 2018, compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers in excess of $1 million will generally be nondeductible, whether or not it is performance-based. While the Compensation Committee plans to continue taking actions intended to limit the impact of Section 162(m), it also believes that the tax deductiondeductibility is only one of several relevant considerations in setting compensation. Therefore, in order to maintain the flexibility to provide compensation programs for our Named Executive Officers that will best incentivize them to achieve our key business objectives and create sustainable long-term shareholderstockholder value, the Compensation Committee reserves the right to pay compensation that may not be deductible to the Company if it determines that doing so would be in the best interests of the Company. Based on

        H.R.1 also includes a transition rule under which the Company's current tax situation, compliance withchanges to Section 162(m) described above will not apply to compensation payable pursuant to a written binding contract that was in effect on November 2, 2017 and is not subsequently materially modified. To the extent applicable to our existing contracts and awards, the Compensation Committee may choose to avail itself of the Code is not a significant concern.transition rule.

Policy Regarding Recoupment of Certain Compensation

        The Company has adopted a formal compensation recovery or "clawback" policy for its executive officers, including all Named Executive Officers. Pursuant to this policy, the Board of Directors of the


Table of Contents

Company may seek to recoup certain incentive compensation, including cash bonuses and equity incentive awards paid based upon the achievement of financial performance metrics, from executives in the event that the Company is required to restate its financial statements.

Prohibition on Margin Accounts and Hedging and Similar Transactions

        Our executive officers and directors, including the Named Executive Officers, are subject to an insider trading policy that, among other things, prohibits them from holding Company securities in a margin account, and also prohibits them from engaging in put or call options, short selling, or similar hedging activities involving our stock. We prohibit these transactions because they may reduce the individual's incentive to improve our performance, focus the individual on short-term performance at the expense of long-term objectives, and misalign the individual's interests with those of our stockholders generally.

Director and Officer Stock Ownership Guidelines

        In June 2014, we revised ourOur Stock Ownership Guidelines have been established in order to further the investment of our non-management directors, executive officers, and Senior Vice Presidents in the success of the Company and to encourage a long-term perspective in managing the Company. TheDuring the 2019 fiscal


Table of Contents

year, except for the Non-Management Directors which increased from two to five times annual cash retainer in our January 2019 board meeting, the stock ownership requirements are:were as follows:

Position
 Minimum Ownership Requirements (Number of Share Equivalents)
Chief Executive Officer lesser of 1,400,000 share equivalents or 5 times base salary
President(1) lesser of 700,000 share equivalents or 3 times base salary
Senior Executive Vice Presidents lesser of 700,000 share equivalents or 3 times base salary
Executive Vice Presidents lesser of 200,000 share equivalents or 2 times base salary
Senior Vice Presidents lesser of 100,000 share equivalents or 1 times base salary
Non-Management Directors(2) lesser of 150,000 share equivalents or 25 times annual cash retainer

(1)
If the President is also the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Executive Officer amount shallwill apply.

(2)
Other than an Executive Chairman, who shallwill be subject to the same requirement as the Chief Executive Officer.

        Effective as of April 10, 2019, we have revised our stock ownership guidelines to remove the reference to a specific number of shares to be held. The current stock ownership requirements are:

Position
Minimum Ownership Requirements

Chief Executive Officer

5 times base salary

Chief Operating Officer

3 times base salary

Senior Executive Vice Presidents

3 times base salary

Executive Vice Presidents

2 times base salary

Senior Vice Presidents

1 times base salary

Non-Management Directors

5 times annual cash retainer

        Newly appointed or promoted executives who are or become subject to our Stock Ownership Guidelines and newly elected non-management directors have five years from the time they are appointed, promoted, or elected, as the case may be, to meet the stock ownership requirements. Currently, all of those persons subject to the guidelines, including allour Named Executive Officers and senior vice presidents, have achieved the minimum holding ownership requirement or have not yet served for five years.

        For the purposes of determining stock ownership levels, the following forms of equity interests in the Company are included:

        Restricted stock and restricted stock units, whether or not vested, and shares owned count as one (1) share equivalent per share beneficially owned and stock options, whether or not vested, count as one-half (.5) share equivalent per stock option.


Table of Contents

        The Compensation Committee is responsible for interpreting and administering the Stock Ownership Guidelines, and may, from time to time, reevaluate and revise the Stock Ownership Guidelines, including when there are changes to the Company's capital structure or where implementation of the Stock Ownership Guidelines would cause a non-management director, executive officer, or Senior Vice President to incur a hardship due to his or her unique financial circumstances.


Table of Contents


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

        The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.


*
Mr. Bodaken
Michael N. Regan

served on the Compensation Committee throughout our 2019 fiscal year and until April 10, 2019. Ms. Katherine Quinn joined the Compensation Committee and the Board on April 10, 2019, but did not participate in the review or recommendation of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

Table of Contents


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

        The following summary compensation table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for the fiscal years ended February 27, 2016, February 28, 2015,March 2, 2019, March 3, 2018, and March 1, 2014,4, 2017, respectively, paid to or earned by (i) our principal executive officer, (ii) our principal financial officer, and (iii) the three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company other than the principal executive officer or the principal financial officer who were serving at the end of the 2016 fiscal year, and (iv) two former executive officers who would have been among the three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company if they served as an executive officer at the end of the 20162019 fiscal year (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers").

Name and Principal Position
 Fiscal
Year
 Salary
($)
 Bonus
($)
 Stock
Awards
($)(6)
 Option
Awards
($)(6)
 Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)(7)
 Change In
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(8)
 All Other
Compensation
($)(9)
 Total
($)
 

John T. Standley

  2016  1,150,000    13,672,926  2,533,385  4,705,038  0  304,923  22,366,272 

(CEO)

  2015  1,150,000    3,411,852  3,032,895  2,991,291  128,354  291,279  11,005,671 

  2014  1,035,000    810,060  1,788,333  4,200,000  240,511  273,325  8,347,229 

Kenneth A. Martindale

  
2016
  
900,000
  
  
9,799,850
  
1,585,980
  
2,555,424
  
0
  
322,786
  
15,164,040
 

(President of Rite Aid Corporation

  2015  900,000    2,847,576  949,428  1,583,050  32,359  321,012  6,633,425 

& CEO of Rite Aid Stores)

  2014  878,250    396,888  875,926  2,587,500  102,797  308,158  5,149,519 

Darren W. Karst

  
2016
  
790,005
  
  
1,009,008
  
695,980
  
924,136
  
0
  
279,138
  
3,698,267
 

(Senior Executive VP, CFO &

  2015  419,310    2,891,198  812,498  275,775  1,802  126,309  4,526,892 

CAO)(1)

                            

Enio Anthony Montini, Jr. 

  
2016
  
450,303
  
  
418,548
  
288,805
  
658,332
  
0
  
131,225
  
1,947,213
 

(Executive VP, Merchandising

                            

& Distribution)(2)

                            

Dedra N. Castle

  
2016
  
425,006
  
  
407,460
  
280,795
  
357,956
  
0
  
231,385
  
1,702,603
 

(Executive VP, Chief

                            

Human Resources Officer)(3)

                            

Frank G. Vitrano

  
2016
  
725,009
  
  
1,348,108
  
929,605
  
1,971,365
  
0
  
267,037
  
5,241,124
 

(Chief Strategic Business

  2015  844,131    1,252,452  1,113,030  1,347,801  101,829  313,042  4,972,286 

Development Officer)(4)

  2014  819,545    397,440  877,454  2,048,862  267,137  303,256  4,713,694 

Robert K. Thompson

  
2016
  
461,810
  
  
638,476
  
440,995
  
654,395
  
0
  
142,671
  
2,338,347
 

(Special Advisor to President

  2015  500,321    771,720  290,103  527,161  47,575  143,185  2,280,065 

of Rite Aid Corporation)(5)

  2014  477,405    115,644  255,558  716,107  118,397  133,626  1,816,737 
Name and Principal Position(1)
 Fiscal
Year
 Salary
($)
 Bonus
($)
 Stock
Awards
($)(2)
 Option
Awards
($)(2)
 Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
 Change In
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(4)
 All Other
Compensation
($)(5)
 Total
($)
 

John T. Standley

  2019  1,220,550    1,830,829    1,440,249  53,994  3,320,207  7,865,829 

(CEO)

  2018  1,219,857    5,640,243    1,825,943  314,545  319,874  9,320,462 

  2017  1,184,500    6,095,121      481,309  311,025  8,071,955 

Kermit Crawford

  
2019
  
1,000,000
  
  
1,274,966
  
  
1,032,500
  
  
252,000
  
3,559,466
 

(President & COO)

  2018  403,846    2,000,000  1,080,000  729,167  18,921  1,175,000  5,406,934 

Darren W. Karst

  
2019
  
850,356
  
  
638,099
  
  
627,428
  
  
707,424
  
2,823,306
 

(Senior Executive VP,

  2018  829,856    1,534,638    776,284  49,056  782,185  3,972,019 

CFO & CAO)

  2017  809,751    1,667,368      52,907  269,584  2,799,610 

Bryan B. Everett

  
2019
  
617,654
  
  
370,832
  
  
364,620
  
  
475,600
  
1,828,706
 

(COO, Rite Aid Stores)

  2018  533,784    1,626,434    392,700  17,891  413,475  2,984,284 

  2017  461,250    712,768      16,768  151,086  1,341,872 

Jocelyn Z. Konrad

  
2019
  
461,034
  
  
207,592
  
  
204,103
  
  
358,250
  
1,230,979
 

(Executive VP, Pharmacy)

  2018  427,846    571,326    252,450  33,665  124,000  1,409,287 

(1)
Mr. Standley entered into a separation agreement with the Company as of March 12, 2019 and, pursuant to that agreement, will remain in his current role until a successor is named or until his earlier termination. Mr. Crawford left the Company effective March 12, 2019. Mr. Karst assumedentered into a separation agreement with the Chief Administrative Officer responsibilities previously held by Mr. Vitrano on October 25, 2015.Company as of March 12, 2019 and pursuant to that agreement, left the Company as of May 31, 2019 after a transition period. For a description of the separation agreements entered into with Messrs. Standley, Crawford, and Karst, please see the narrative under the caption "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control."

(2)
Mr. Montini, who has served the Company in his position since fiscal year 2016, first became a Named Executive Officer in fiscal year 2016.

(3)
Ms. Castle, who has served the Company in her position since fiscal year 2015, first became a Named Executive Officer in fiscal year 2016.

(4)
Mr. Vitrano served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer until October 25, 2015.

(5)
Mr. Thompson served as Executive Vice President, Store Operations until August 2015.

Table of Contents

(6)
The amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of each stock award and option award computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For information regarding the assumptions used in determining the fair value of an award, please refer to Note 1617 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on April 25, 2016,2019, Note 1517 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on April 23, 201526, 2018, and Note 1316 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on April 23, 2014, as applicable. The chart below provides the two components comprising the amounts reported in the column titled Stock Awards as well as the grant date fair value of such awards based on the maximum level of achievement under the performance awards:May 3, 2017.

Name
 Restricted
Stock
Award ($)
 Performance Award
Target
Performance ($)
 Max
Performance
Award
Achievement ($)
 

Mr. Standley

  1,437,408  12,235,518  15,032,232 

Mr. Martindale

  900,116  8,899,734  18,150,852 

Mr. Karst

  394,940  614,068  1,382,290 

Mr. Montini

  164,052  254,496  572,880 

Ms. Castle

  159,712  247,748  557,690 

Mr. Vitrano

  527,744  820,364  1,846,670 

Mr. Thompson

  249,984  388,492  874,510 
(7)(3)
The amounts reported in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column consist of the following:

Name
 Annual Cash Incentive
Bonus for Performance in
the Applicable Fiscal
Year ($)
 FY14-16
LTIP—Cash Performance
Units vested
in FY 2016(A)
 

Mr. Standley

  2,582,900  2,122,138 

Mr. Martindale

  1,516,050  1,039,374 

Mr. Karst

  924,136   

Mr. Montini

  387,435  270,897 

Ms. Castle

  357,956   

Mr. Vitrano

  930,341  1,041,024 

Mr. Thompson

  351,162  303,233 

(A)
Represents the amounts in respect of long-termfor fiscal year 2019 represent annual cash incentive units that become vestedbonuses for performance in fiscal year 2016, based on achievement of cumulative Adjusted EBITDA and average leverage ratio targets for each of fiscal year 2014, 2015 and 2016.2019.

(8)(4)
Represents above-market earnings (over 120% of the "applicable federal rate"), if applicable, under the Company's defined contribution supplemental executive retirement plan.plans.

(9)(5)
The amounts in the "All Other Compensation" column for fiscal year 20162019 consist of the following:

Name
 Financial
Planning
($)
 Personal
Use of
Company
Aircraft
($)(A)
 Supplemental
Executive
Retirement
Plan
Allocations
($)
 Housing/
Transportation
Expenses
($)(B)
 Employer
Paid
Taxes
($)(C)
 Automobile
Allowance
($)
 401(k)
Matching
Contributions
($)
 

Mr. Standley

  6,323    276,000      12,000  10,600 

Mr. Martindale

  5,000    216,000  47,120  32,066  12,000  10,600 

Mr. Karst

  10,000    189,600  57,938    11,000  10,600 

Mr. Montini

  975    107,650      12,000  10,600 

Ms. Castle

      102,000  56,500  50,285  12,000  10,600 

Mr. Vitrano

  5,000  1,019  181,944  34,032  22,442  12,000  10,600 

Mr. Thompson

  5,000    115,071      12,000  10,600 
Name
 Financial
Planning
($)
 Supplemental
Executive
Retirement
Plan
Allocations
($)
 Housing/
Transportation
Expenses
($)(a)
 Automobile
Allowance
($)
 401(k)
Matching
Contributions
($)
 Retention/
Inducement
Award Paid
($)
 

Mr. Standley

  4,275  292,932    12,000  11,000  3,000,000 

Mr. Crawford

    240,000    12,000     

Mr. Karst

  5,000  203,360  60,778  12,000  11,000  415,000 

Mr. Everett

  5,000  147,600    12,000  11,000  300,000 

Ms. Konrad

    110,250    12,000  11,000  225,000 

(A)(a)
With respect to personal use of aircraft, the Company determines the incremental cost of an officer's aircraft usage by calculating the variable flight-hour cost associated with the particular aircraft. Variable cost in general includes fuel, landing fees, maintenance costs per flight, per hour and catering.

(B)
Each of Messrs. Martindale,Mr. Karst and Vitrano is reimbursed for certain housing and transportation expenses pursuant to their respective employment agreement. Ms. Castle was reimbursed for one-time relocation expenses pursuant to herhis employment agreement. The Company determines the incremental cost of thesesaid expenses based on the out-of-pocket amounts paid for rent, utilities, travel and relocation, as applicable.

(C)
Figures in this column represent the Company-paid taxes related to housing and transportation expenses reimbursed by the Company for Messrs. Martindale and Vitrano, and related to relocation expenses reimbursed by the Company for Ms. Castle.travel.

Table of Contents


GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 20162019

        The following table summarizes grants of plan-based awards made to Named Executive Officers during our fiscal year ended February 27, 2016.March 2, 2019. As previously announced, we implemented a reverse stock split of our common stock at a reverse stock split ratio of 1-for-20. Our common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on the NYSE at the market open on April 22, 2019. Accordingly, all share amounts presented reflect the reverse stock split.

 
  
  
 Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)
 Estimated Future
Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(2)(3)
 All
Other
Stock
 All
Other
Option
 Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
 Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of Stock
and
Option
 
Name
 Committee
Action
Date
 Grant
Date
 Threshold
100% ($)
 Target
100% ($)
 Max
200%($)
 Threshold
(#)
 Target
(#)
 Max
(#)
 Awards
(#)(4)
 Awards
(#)(5)
 Awards
($/Sh)
 Awards
($)(6)
 

John T. Standley

        2,300,000  2,300,000  4,600,000                      

  6/18/2015  6/24/2015           86,963  231,900  579,750  165,600  569,300  8.68  6,206,309 

  6/18/2015  6/24/2015           1,152,074  1,152,074  1,152,074           10,000,002 

Kenneth A. Martindale

        1,350,000  1,350,000  2,700,000                      

  6/18/2015  6/24/2015           54,450  145,200  363,000  103,700  356,400  8.68  3,885,824 

  6/18/2015  6/24/2015           432,028  864,056  1,728,112           7,500,006 

Darren W. Karst

        592,500  592,500  1,185,000                      

  6/18/2015  6/24/2015           23,888  63,700  159,250  45,500  156,400  8.68  1,704,988 

Enio Anthony Montini, Jr. 

        358,148  358,148  716,297                      

  6/18/2015  6/24/2015           9,900  26,400  66,000  18,900  64,900  8.68  707,353 

Dedra N. Castle

        318,750  318,750  637,500                      

  6/18/2015  6/24/2015           9,638  25,700  64,250  18,400  63,100  8.68  688,255 

Frank G. Vitrano

        1,055,164  1,055,164  2,110,328                      

  6/18/2015  6/24/2015           31,913  85,100  212,750  60,800  208,900  8.68  2,277,713 

Robert K. Thompson

        375,240  375,240  750,481                      

  6/18/2015  6/24/2015           15,113  40,300  100,750  28,800  99,100  8.68  1,079,471 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)(3)
 
 
  
  
 Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)
 Estimated Future
Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
  
  
 Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
 
 
  
  
 All
Other
Stock
Awards
(#)(2)
 All
Other
Option
Awards
(#)
 
Name
 Grant
Date
 Date of
Board
Action
 Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Max
($)
 Threshold
(#)
 Target
(#)
 Max
(#)
 

John T. Standley(6)

  1/4/2019  12/6/2018  1,601,963  4,271,900  10,679,750        118,885      1,830,829 

        1,220,550  2,441,100  4,882,200                   

Kermit Crawford(4)

  1/4/2019  12/6/2018  1,115,625  2,975,000  7,437,500        82,790      1,274,966 

        875,000  1,750,000  3,500,000                   

Darren W. Karst(5)

  1/4/2019  12/6/2018  558,300  1,488,800  3,722,000        41,435      638,099 

        531,719  1,063,438  2,126,875                   

Bryan B. Everett

  1/4/2019  12/6/2018  324,450  865,200  2,163,000        24,080      370,832 

        309,000  618,000  1,236,000                   

Jocelyn Z. Konrad

  1/4/2019  12/6/2018  181,613  484,300  1,210,750        13,480      207,592 

        172,969  345,938  691,875                   

(1)
On January 4, 2019, each Named Executive Officer received a grant of cash-based performance units that will be earned based upon the achievement of an Adjusted EBITDA goal for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Vesting for the performance units will occur, provided the performance targets have been met, on February 27, 2021 (the end of the Company's fiscal year 2021), provided that the Named Executive Officer is continuously employed at the Company through the date of the earnings release. The first amountsecond row of the table reflects the opportunity for each Named Executive Officer relates to earn an annual cash incentive bonus, as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the caption "Cash Incentive Bonuses." Actual cash incentives earned for the fiscal year are shown in the Summary Compensation Table above.

(2)
On June 24, 2015, each Named Executive Officer received a grant of performance-based units that will be earned based upon the achievement of Adjusted EBITDA and return on net asset goals for fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018. Vesting for the performance units will occur, provided the performance targets have been met, on March 3, 2018 (the end of the Company's fiscal year 2018), provided that the Named Executive Officer is continuously employed at the Company through the date of the earnings release for fiscal year 2018.

(3)
On June 24, 2015, Messrs. Standley and Martindale received special grants of performance-based units. The performance units granted to Mr. Standley will be earned based upon the achievement of the successful integration of EnvisionRx and its business units into the Company. Vesting for the performance units granted to Mr. Standley will occur, provided the performance target has been met, on the earlier of June 24, 2017 or the date of the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to his continued employment through such date. The performance units granted to Mr. Martindale will be earned based on the achievement of a cumulative adjusted net income goal for fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018. Vesting for the performance units granted to Mr. Martindale will occur, provided the performance target has been met, on the earlier of the date of reporting of fiscal year 2018 results or the date of the Company's 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to his continued employment through such date.

(4)
On June 24, 2015,January 4, 2019, the Named Executive Officers received a grant of restricted stock, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, under the caption "Components of Executive Compensation for Fiscal Year 2016—2019—Restricted Stock." These restricted shares will vest as follows based on continued employment:

Name
 Restricted
Shares
(#)
 Vesting Schedule

Mr. Standley

  165,600118,885 One-third on each of first three anniversaries of grant date

Mr. MartindaleCrawford

  103,70082,790 One-third on each of first three anniversaries of grant date

Mr. Karst

  45,50041,435 One-third on each of first three anniversaries of grant date

Mr. MontiniEverett

  18,90024,080 One-third on each of first three anniversaries of grant date

Ms. CastleKonrad

  18,400One-third on each of first three anniversaries of grant date

Mr. Vitrano

60,800One-third on each of first three anniversaries of grant date

Mr. Thompson

28,80013,480 One-third on each of first three anniversaries of grant date

Table of Contents

(5)
On June 24, 2015, the Named Executive Officers received a grant of stock options, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, under the caption "Components of Executive Compensation for Fiscal Year 2016—Stock Options." These stock options will vest as follows based on continued employment:

Name
Stock
Options
(#)
Vesting Schedule

Mr. Standley

569,300One-fourth on each of first four anniversaries of grant date

Mr. Martindale

356,400One-fourth on each of first four anniversaries of grant date

Mr. Karst

156,400One-fourth on each of first four anniversaries of grant date

Mr. Montini

64,900One-fourth on each of first four anniversaries of grant date

Ms. Castle

63,100One-fourth on each of first four anniversaries of grant date

Mr. Vitrano

208,900One-fourth on each of first four anniversaries of grant date

Mr. Thompson

99,100One-fourth on each of first four anniversaries of grant date
(6)(3)
Represents the grant date fair value, measured in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 of stock and option awards made in fiscal year 2016.2019. Grant date fair values are calculated pursuant to assumptions set forth in Note 1617 of the Company's 20162019 Annual Report on Formform 10-K filed with the SEC on April 25, 2016.2019.

(4)
Mr. Crawford forfeited his 2019 plan based awards with his departure on March 12, 2019.

(5)
Mr. Karst forfeited his January 4, 2019 non-equity incentive plan award, a portion of his January 4, 2019 restricted stock grant, and is eligible for a prorated portion of any earned fiscal year 2020 annual cash incentive, pursuant to his March 12, 2019 separation agreement.

(6)
Mr. Standley will forfeit his January 4, 2019 non-equity incentive plan award and be eligible for a prorated portion of any earned fiscal year 2020 annual cash incentive upon his departure and pursuant to his March 12, 2019 separation agreement.

Table of Contents


EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AND SEPARATION AGREEMENTS

        Rite Aid has entered into employment agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers, other than Mr. Thompson,which govern the material terms of which are described below.

        Term.    Except for Mr. Karst and Mr. Montini, whose terms commenced on August 20, 2014 and June 23, 2011, respectively, the term of each executive's employment commenced on the effective date of his employment agreement, as follows: Mr. Standley, September 24, 2008 (as amended and restated as of January 21, 2010); Mr. Martindale, December 3, 2008 (as amended as of October 26, 2015); Ms. Castle, March 24, 2014; and Mr. Vitrano, September 24, 2008 (as amended as of October 26, 2015). Each employment agreement has an initial term of two years, other than in the case of Mr. Standley, whose agreement has an initial term of three years (each such period, the "Initial Term"). Each agreement will automatically renew for successive one-year terms (each, a "Renewal Term"), unless either the executive or Rite Aid provides the other with notice of non-renewal at least 180 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term, as applicable.Company's last completed fiscal year.

        Salary and Incentive Bonus.    The respective agreements provide each executive with a base salary and an incentive compensation target (which may be reviewed periodically for increase by the Compensation Committee). The currentAs part of the announced leadership transition, Bryan Everett was promoted to Chief Operating Officer as of March 12, 2019. Effective as of March 12, 2019, Mr. Everett's annual base salary was increased to $750,000, Mr. Everett's target annual bonus opportunity was set at 125% of his base salary and his target long-term incentive compensation amounts areaward opportunity was set forth below:


Table of Contentssalary.

        Other Benefits.    Pursuant to their employment agreements, each of the Named Executive Officers is also entitled to participate in Rite Aid's welfare benefits, fringe benefit and perquisite programs, and savings plans.

        Term Under Active Employment Agreements.    The term of employment for each of Mr. Everett and Ms. Konrad commenced on the effective date of his or her employment agreement, as follows: Mr. Everett, June 22, 2015; and Ms. Konrad, August 3, 2015. The employment agreement for each of Mr. Everett and Ms. Konrad has an initial term of two years (each such period, the "Initial Term"). These agreements will automatically renew for successive one-year terms (each, a "Renewal Term"), unless either the executive or Rite Aid provides the other with a notice of nonrenewal at least 180 days, with respect to Ms. Konrad, and 120 days, with respect to Mr. Everett, prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term, as applicable.

Restrictive Covenants.    The employment agreement of each Named Executive Officer prohibits the officer from competing with Rite Aid during his or her employment period and for a period of one year or with respect to Ms. Castle, two years in the event of termination without "cause" or for "good reason" (as such terms are defined in Ms. Castle's employment agreement), thereafter.

        Termination and Change in Control Benefits.    The provisions of the employment agreements relating to termination of employment, and the terms of the separation agreements entered into with each of Messrs. Standley, Crawford, and Karst, are described under the caption "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control" below.


Table of Contents


OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR 20162019 YEAR-END

        The following table summarizes the number of securities underlying outstanding equity awards for the Named Executive Officers asOfficers. As previously announced, we implemented a reverse stock split of February 27, 2016:our common stock at a reverse stock split ratio of 1-for-20. Our common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on the NYSE at the market open on April 22, 2019. Accordingly, all share amounts and option exercise prices presented reflect the reverse stock split.

 
 Option Awards Stock Awards 
Name
 Date of
Grant
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable(1)(2)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
 Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
 Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)(1)(2)
 Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(3)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
# of
Unearned
Shares or
Units That
Have Not
Vested
(#)(1)(4)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(3)
 

John T. Standley

  10/02/2008  168,800       0.89  10/02/2018             

  06/25/2009  580,600       1.24  06/25/2019             

  01/21/2010  2,555,000       1.52  01/21/2020             

  06/23/2010  1,428,600       1.07  06/23/2020             

  06/27/2011  1,403,500       1.24  06/27/2021             

  06/27/2011  2,361,585       1.24  06/27/2021             

  06/25/2012  1,034,475  344,825     1.32  06/25/2022             

  06/24/2013  468,150  468,150     2.76  06/24/2023  97,833  778,751       

  06/23/2014  169,625  508,875     7.08  06/23/2024  133,866  1,065,573  281,100  2,237,556 

  06/24/2015    569,300     8.68  06/24/2025  165,600  1,318,176  231,900  1,845,924 

  06/24/2015                       1,152,074(5) 9,170,509 

Kenneth A. Martindale

  
06/23/2010
  
1,400,000
  
     
1.07
  
06/23/2020
             

  06/27/2011  542,100       1.24  06/27/2021             

  06/27/2011  874,661       1.24  06/27/2021             

  06/25/2012  452,700  150,900     1.32  06/25/2022            

  06/24/2013  229,300  229,300     2.76  06/24/2023  47,933  381,547       

  06/23/2014  53,100  159,300     7.08  06/23/2024  209,466  1,667,349  88,000  700,480 

  06/24/2015    356,400     8.68  06/24/2025  103,700  825,452  145,200  1,155,780 

  06/24/2015                       864,056(6) 6,877,878 

Darren W. Karst

  
08/20/2014
  
51,950
  
155,850
     
6.43
  
08/20/2024
  
77,148
  
614,098
       

  08/20/2014           06/24/2025      86,000  684,560 

  06/24/2015    156,400     8.68  06/24/2025  45,500  362,180  63,700  507,052 

Enio Anthony Montini, Jr. 

  
06/25/2012
  
  
60,675
     
1.32
  
06/25/2022
             

  06/24/2013    59,750     2.76  06/24/2023  12,500  99,500       

  06/23/2014  19,350  58,050     7.08  06/23/2024  15,266  121,517  32,000  254,720 

  06/24/2015    64,900     8.68  06/24/2025  18,900  150,444  26,400  210,144 

Dedra N. Castle

  
03/24/2014
  
  
        
03/23/2024
  
43,456
  
345,910
       

  06/23/2014  18,800  56,400     7.08  06/23/2024  14,866  118,333  31,200  248,352 

  06/24/2015    63,100     8.68  06/24/2025  18,400  146,464  25,700  204,572 

Frank G. Vitrano

  
06/27/2011
  
135,525
  
     
1.24
  
06/27/2021
             

  06/27/2011  437,330       1.24  06/27/2021             

  06/25/2012  301,800  150,900     1.32  06/25/2022             

  06/24/2013  229,700  229,700     2.76  06/24/2023  48,000  382,080       

  06/23/2014  62,250  186,750     7.08  06/23/2024  49,133  391,099  103,200  821,472 

  06/24/2015    208,900     8.68  06/24/2025  60,800  483,968  85,100  677,396 

Robert K. Thompson

  
06/25/2012
  
  
67,925
     
1.32
  
06/25/2022
             

  06/24/2013    66,900     2.76  06/24/2023  13,966  111,169       

  06/23/2014    48,675     7.08  06/23/2024  54,733  435,675  26,900  214,124 

  06/24/2015    99,100     8.68  06/24/2025  28,800  229,248  40,300  320,788 
 
 Option Awards Stock Awards 
Name
 Date of
Grant
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable(1)(2)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
 Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
 Number
of
Shares
or
Units of
Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)(1)(3)
 Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(4)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
# of
Unearned
Shares or
Units That
Have Not
Vested
(#)(1)(5)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(4)
 

John T. Standley

  6/25/2009  29,030      24.80  6/25/2019         

  1/21/2010  127,750      30.40  1/21/2020         

  6/23/2010  71,430      21.40  6/23/2020         

  6/27/2011  118,079      24.80  6/27/2021         

  6/27/2011  70,175      24.80  6/27/2021         

  6/25/2012  68,965      26.40  6/25/2022         

  6/24/2013  46,815      55.20  6/24/2023         

  6/23/2014  33,925      141.60  6/23/2024         

  6/24/2015  21,349  7,116    173.60  6/24/2025         

  6/22/2016            6,385  93,221     

  7/17/2017             44,030  642,838  66,045  964,257 

  1/4/2019             118,885  1,735,721     

Kermit Crawford

  
10/2/2017
  
12,500
  
37,500
  
  
41.00
  
10/2/2027
  
32,520
  
474,796
  
  
 

  1/4/2019          1/4/2029  82,790  1,208,734     

Darren W. Karst

  
8/20/2014
  
10,390
  
  
  
128.60
  
8/20/2024
  
  
  
  
 

  6/24/2015  5,865  1,955    173.60  6/24/2025         

  6/22/2016             1,747  25,501       

  7/17/2017             11,980  174,908  17,970  262,362 

  1/4/2019             41,435  604,951     

Bryan Everett

  
6/24/2015
  
2,505
  
835
  
  
173.60
  
6/24/2025
  
  
  
  
 

  6/22/2016             747  10,901       

  7/17/2017             5,140  75,044  7,710  112,566 

  9/6/2017             13,333  194,666     

  1/4/2019             24,080  351,568     

Jocelyn Z. Konrad

  
6/25/2009
  
300
  
  
  
24.80
  
6/25/2019
  
  
  
  
 

  6/27/2011  1,655      24.80  6/27/2021         

  6/25/2012  1,690      26.40  6/25/2022         

  6/24/2013  675      55.20  6/24/2023         

  6/23/2014  330      141.60  6/23/2024         

  6/24/2015  435  145     173.60  6/24/2025         

  6/22/2016             647  9,441       

  7/17/2017             4,460  65,116  6,690  97,674 

  1/4/2019             13,480  196,808     

(1)
Refer to "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,"Control" below for circumstances under which the terms of the vesting of equity awards would be accelerated.

(2)
Stock options will generally vest in equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date, based on continued employment. With respect to the restricted stock awards listed above, one-third of the restricted shares will vest on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, based on continued employment.

(3)
Restricted shares will generally vest one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date.

(4)
Determined with reference to $7.96,$14.60, the closing price of a share of Rite Aid common stock on the last trading day before February 27, 2016.March 3, 2019 to reflect the reverse stock split.

(4)(5)
Performance units granted on June 24, 2015 generally vestJuly 17, 2017 will be earned based upon the achievement of an Adjusted EBITDA and returnReturn on net assetNet Assets goals for fiscal years 2016, 20172019 and 2018.2020. Vesting for the performance units will occur, provided the performance target has been met, on March 3, 2018, subject to continued employmentFebruary 29, 2020 (the end of the Company's fiscal year 2020), provided that the Named Executive Officer is continuously employed at the Company through the date of the earnings release for fiscal year 2018.

(5)
The performance units vest based upon achievement of the successful integration of EnvisionRx and its business units into the Company, as determined at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee. Vesting for the performance units will occur, provided the performance target has been met, on the earlier of June 24, 2017 or the date of the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to continued employment through such date.

(6)
The performance units vest based on the achievement of a cumulative adjusted net income goal for fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018. Vesting for the performance units will occur, provided the performance target has been met, on the earlier of the date of reporting of fiscal year 2018 results or the date of the Company's 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject through continued employment through such date.2020.

Table of Contents


OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 20162019

        The following table summarizes for each Named Executive Officer the stock option exercises and shares vested during fiscal year 2016:2019. As previously announced, we implemented a reverse stock split of our common stock at a reverse stock split ratio of 1-for-20. Our common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on the NYSE at the market open on April 22, 2019. As the following information reports transactions that occurred during the fiscal year 2019, the number of shares and options disclosed are on a pre-reverse stock split basis. Any stock holdings resulting from the below transactions, as of April 22, 2019, have been adjusted for the reverse stock split accordingly.

 
 Option Awards Stock Awards 
Name
 Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
 Value
Realized on
Exercise ($)
 Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
 Value
Realized on
Vesting ($)
 

John T. Standley

      915,341  7,874,846 

Kenneth A. Martindale

      454,530  3,934,157 

Darren W. Karst

      295,294  2,385,869 

Enio Anthony Montini, Jr. 

  150,200  1,266,122  270,425  2,319,860 

Dedra N. Castle

      29,162  244,475 

Frank G. Vitrano

      374,430  3,222,053 

Robert K. Thompson

  1,247,911  9,864,166  69,400  605,894 
 
 Option Awards Stock Awards 
Name
 Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
 Value
Realized on
Exercise ($)
 Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
 Value
Realized on
Vesting ($)
 

John T. Standley

  168,800  43,888  623,200 $1,104,759 

Kermit Crawford

      325,204 $373,985 

Darren W. Karst

      169,899 $301,266 

Bryan B. Everett

      199,667 $281,337 

Jocelyn Z. Konrad

      57,533 $100,607 


NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 20162019

        The following table sets forth the nonqualified deferred compensation activity for each Named Executive Officer during fiscal year 2016:2019:

Name
 Executive
Contributions in
Last FY ($)
 Registrant
Contributions in
Last FY ($)
 Aggregate
Earnings in
Last FY ($)
 Aggregate
Withdrawals /
Forfeitures ($)
 Aggregate
Balance at Last
FYE ($)
 

John T. Standley(1)

    276,000  (237,339)   2,262,395 

Kenneth A. Martindale(1)

    216,000  (148,760)   1,539,692 

Darren W. Karst(1)

    189,600  (14,464)   272,705 

Enio Anthony Montini, Jr.(1)

    107,650  (68,690)   658,416 

Dedra N. Castle(1)

    102,000  (18,354)   183,362 

Frank G. Vitrano(1)

    181,944  (210,435)   1,851,214 

Robert K. Thompson(1)

    115,071  (110,622)   1,018,381 
Name
 Executive
Contributions in
Last FY ($)
 Registrant
Contributions in
Last FY ($)(2)
 Aggregate
Earnings in
Last FY
($)(2)
 Aggregate
Withdrawals /
Forfeitures ($)
 Aggregate
Balance at Last
FYE ($)
 

John T. Standley(1)

    292,932  176,028    4,259,058 

Kermit Crawford(1)

    240,000  (16,385)   323,768 

Darren W. Karst(1)

    203,360  (4,061)   993,583 

Bryan B. Everett(1)

    147,600  (11,488)   478,692 

Jocelyn Z. Konrad(1)

    110,250  1,066    547,644 

(1)
Amounts shown relate to a defined contribution supplemental executive retirement plan covering the Named Executive Officers.Officers in the fiscal year. Please refer to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the caption "Post-Retirement Benefits" for a description of the material terms of this plan.

(2)
Amounts shown were reported to the extent required in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal year 2019.


POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

        As discussed above under the caption "Executive Employment Agreements," the Company has entered into employment agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Thompson.Officers. Upon written notice, the employment agreement of each of the Named Executive Officers is terminable by either Rite Aid or the individual officer seeking termination. Since the end of the last completed fiscal year, the Company has entered into separation agreements with certain of our Named Executive Officers, which are discussed below, as applicable.


Table of Contents

Mr. John Standley

        Circumstances Resulting in Severance.    Pursuant to his employment agreement with the Company, if Mr. Standley ishad been terminated by the Company without "cause,""cause" or if he terminateshad terminated his employment for "good reason" (as such terms are defined in his employment agreement) or if the Company provides a notice of nonrenewal at least 180 days prior to the expiration of his employment agreement, a "Company Nonrenewal," and such Company Nonrenewal occurs within six months of a change in control,, then he will bewould have been entitled to receive:


Table of Contents

Pursuant to the separation agreement entered into on March 12, 2019, Mr. Standley will be entitled to the severance benefits described above under the caption "Circumstances Resulting in Severance" upon selection of his successor in the role of Chief Executive Officer and the termination of his employment.

        If Rite Aid terminateshad terminated Mr. Standley for "cause," or he terminateshad terminated his employment without "good reason":

        If Mr. Standley's employment ishad been terminated as a result of his death or "disability" (as such term is defined in his employment agreement), he (or his estate, as the case may be) will bewould have been entitled to receive all accrued but unpaid salary and benefits payable under death or disability benefit plans in which he participates, a pro-rata bonus (paid at the same time it is paid to other eligible participants in the bonus plan and based on actual achievement of performance targets for the fiscal year), continued health insurance (or reimbursement for the cost of such benefits) for two years for Mr. Standley and/or his or her immediate family, as applicable, vesting of all stock options, and vesting of an amount of restricted stock that would have vested had he remained employed for three years following the date of termination.

Mr. Kermit Crawford

        Mr. Kermit Crawford, former President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, departed the Company by mutual agreement pursuant to the leadership transition effectuated on March 12, 2019. The Separation Agreement with Mr. Crawford provides for a separation payment equal to $5,000,000 payable in equal installments over a 24 month period subject to executing a general release of claims in favor of the Company. Mr. Crawford was also relieved of his obligation to repay $520,073


Table of Contents

to the Company, which represents the repayment obligation with respect to the cash-based inducement award paid to Mr. Crawford upon his hire.

        Circumstances Resulting in Severance.    Pursuant to theirhis employment agreementsagreement with the Company, if any of Messrs. Martindale, Karst or Vitrano isMr. Crawford had been terminated by Rite Aid without "cause" or if such officer'she had terminated his employment is terminated by the officer for "good reason" (as such terms are defined in the applicable employment agreement), then the officer will be entitled to receive:then:

Mr. Darren Karst

        Circumstances Resulting in Severance.    Pursuant to his employment agreement with the Company, if Mr. Karst had been terminated by Rite Aid without "cause" or if he were to terminate his employment for "good reason" (as such terms are defined in the employment agreement), then:

Pursuant to theirthe separation agreement entered into on March 12, 2019, Mr. Karst became entitled to the severance benefits described above under the caption "Circumstances Resulting in Severance" upon the termination of his transition period of employment agreementson May 31, 2019.

Mr. Bryan Everett

        Circumstances Resulting in Severance.    Pursuant to his employment agreement with the Company, if either of Mr. Montini or Ms. CastleEverett is terminated by Rite Aid without "cause" or if such officer'she terminates his employment is terminated by


Table of Contents

the officer for "good reason" (as such terms are defined in the applicable employment agreement), then the officerthen: