EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into as of the 27th
day of June, 2001 (the "Effective Date") by and between Rite Aid Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Mark C. Panzer (the "Executive").

     WHEREAS, Executive desires to provide the Company with his services and the
Company desires to employ Executive in the capacity of Executive Vice President
of Store Operations on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1.   Term Of Employment.

     The term of Executive's employment with the Company hereunder (the "Term")
pursuant to this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and, unless
earlier terminated pursuant to Section 5 below, shall continue for a period
ending on the date that is three (3) years following the Effective Date;
provided, however, that on each anniversary of the Effective Date occurring
prior to the termination of Executive's employment hereunder (each such date a
"Renewal Date"), an additional year shall be added to the Term, unless notice of
non-renewal has been delivered by one party to the other party at least 180 days
prior to such Renewal Date. For purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise
provided herein, the phrases "year during the Term" or "during any year of the
Term" or similar language shall refer to each 12-month period commencing on the
Effective Date or applicable anniversaries thereof.

2.   Position And Duties.

     2.1 Position. During the Term, Executive shall be employed as Executive
Vice President of Store Operations. Following termination of Executive's
employment for any reason, Executive shall immediately resign from all offices
and positions he holds with the Company or any subsidiary.

     2.2 Duties. Subject to the supervision and control of the President and COO
of the Company (or any designee), to whom he shall report, Executive shall do
and perform all services and acts necessary or advisable to fulfill the duties
and responsibilities of his position as Executive Vice President of Store
Operations and shall render such services on the terms set forth herein. In
addition, Executive shall have such other executive and managerial powers and
duties with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates and
strategic partners as may be assigned to him by the President and COO of the
Company or any designee. Except for sick leave, vacations (as provided in
Section 4.3 below), and excused leaves of absence, Executive shall, throughout
the Term, devote substantially all his working time, attention, knowledge and
skills faithfully and to the best of his ability, to the duties and
responsibilities of his position in


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furtherance of the business affairs and activities of the Company and its
subsidiaries, affiliates and strategic partners. Executive shall at all times be
subject to, observe and carry out such rules, regulations, policies, directions,
and restrictions as the Company may from time to time establish for management
employees.

3.   Compensation.

     3.1 Base Salary. During the Term, as compensation for his services
hereunder, Executive shall receive a salary at the annualized rate of Three
Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($375,000) per year ("Base Salary"), which
shall be paid in accordance with the Company's normal payroll practices and
procedures, less such deductions or offsets required by applicable law or
otherwise authorized by Executive. During the Term the Base Salary shall be
reviewed periodically by the Compensation Committee of the Board for possible
increase. Any increase in the Base Salary shall not limit or reduce any other
obligation of the Company under this Agreement. The Base Salary shall not be
reduced after any such increase, and the term "Base Salary" shall thereafter
refer to the Base Salary as from time-to-time so increased.

     3.2 Annual Performance Bonus. The Executive shall participate each fiscal
year during the Term in the Company's annual bonus plan as adopted and approved
by the Board or the Compensation Committee from time to time. The Executive's
annual target bonus opportunity pursuant to such plan (the "Annual Target
Bonus") shall equal 50% of the Base Salary in effect for the Executive at the
beginning of such fiscal year.

     3.3 Stock Awards.

          (a) Subject to approval by The Compensation Committee of the Board you
will be granted an option (the "Option") to purchase 500,000 shares of the
Company's common stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Company Stock"). The Option
shall (i) be a non-qualified stock option, (ii) have an exercise price equal to
the closing price of the Company's stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange on the Effective Date, (iii) have a term of ten (10) years following
the Effective Date, (iv) vest and become exercisable as to 1/3 of the shares of
Company stock subject to the Option on each of the first three (3) anniversaries
of the Effective Date, (v) be subject to the acceleration, exercise and
termination provisions set forth in Section 3.3(c) and Article 5 hereof and (vi)
otherwise be evidence by and subject to the terms of the Company's form of stock
option agreement for officers.

          (b) Subject to approval by The Compensation Committee of the Board you
will be granted 65,000 shares of restricted Company Stock (the "Restricted
Stock"). Subject to (i) the acceleration and forfeiture provision set forth in
Section 3.3 (d) and Article 5 hereof and (ii) the terms of the Company's form of
Restricted Stock Agreement for officers, the restrictions applicable to the
Restricted Stock shall lapse as to one-third of such shares on each of the first
three anniversaries of the effective date.

          (c) Upon the Change in Control of the Company prior to the termination
of Executive's employment with the Company, the Options shall immediately vest
and become


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exercisable in full. For purposes of this Agreement "Change in Control" shall
have the meaning set forth in the attached Appendix A.

          (d) It is understood and acknowledged by Executive that the securities
underlying the Option will not be subject to an effective registration statement
under the federal securities laws until some time after the Effective Date. The
Company agrees that if, as of the date of termination of Executive's employment
under the circumstances described in Sections 5.3 and 5.5, the securities
underlying the then vested and exercisable portion of the Option (or any other
option to purchase Company Stock then held by Executive) are not subject to an
effective registration statement, the 90-day periods in Section 5.3 and 5.5, as
applicable, will be deemed to run from the first date such securities become
subject to an effective registration statement. The Company further agrees that
if, as of the date of Executive's voluntary termination of employment other than
for Good Reason, the securities underlying the then vested and exercisable
portion of the Option (or any other option to purchase Company Stock then held
by Executive) are not subject to an effective registration statement, Executive
will be permitted to exercise the Option, to the extent vested and exercisable
as of the date of such termination of employment, during the 30-day period
following the first date such securities become subject to an effective
registration statement.

4.   Additional Benefits.

     4.1 Employee Benefits. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to
participate in the employee benefit plans in which management employees of the
Company are generally eligible to participate, subject to any eligibility
requirements and the other generally applicable terms of such plans. From the
Effective Date of Executive's employment with the Company through the first
anniversary thereof and not extending beyond, the Company will pay the cost for
providing the Executive a life insurance policy in the amount of $1,000,000. It
is understood this policy is to cover the one year period following which
Executive shall be eligible for the group life insurance coverage provided for
other eligible executives under the Company's group benefit plans.

     4.2 Expenses. During the Term, the Company shall reimburse Executive for
any expenses reasonably incurred by him in furtherance of his duties hereunder,
including without limitation travel, meals and accommodations, upon submission
of vouchers or receipts and in compliance with such rules and policies relating
thereto as the Company may from time to time adopt or as may be required in
order to permit such payments to be taken as proper deductions by the Company or
any subsidiary under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto now or hereafter in effect.

          During the first 90 days of Executive's employment, beginning with the
date of commencement of employment and ending 90 days thereafter, Company shall
reimburse Executive for all expenses reasonably incurred by him for commute from
his state of residence to Camp Hill, PA and return.

     4.3 Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation
during each year of the Term.


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     4.4 Automobile Allowance. During the Term, the Company shall provide
Executive with an automobile allowance of $750.00 per month.

     4.5 Annual Financial Planning Allowance. During each year of the Term, the
Company shall provide Executive with an executive planning allowance in the
amount of $5,000.

     4.6 Relocation Expenses

          (a) Within ninety (90) days following the Effective Date, Executive
shall relocate his principal residence from the Scottsdale, Arizona area to the
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. The Company shall reimburse Executive for his
reasonable expenses incurred in moving his household goods and cars from
Scottsdale to Harrisburg, in accordance with the Company's moving expense
policies applicable to executive officers generally.

          (b) The Company shall reimburse Executive for his reasonable living
expenses for a temporary residence in the Harrisburg area until the date of
relocation.

          (c) The Company shall reimburse Executive for the reasonable and
customary closing costs incurred on the purchase of a principle residence in the
Harrisburg area.

          (d) The Company shall reimburse Executive for the reasonable costs of
a reasonable number of round trip airfares for travel between Harrisburg, PA and
Scottsdale, AZ prior to the date of his relocation. The Company shall also
reimburse Executive for a reasonable number of round-trip visits between
Scottsdale and Harrisburg area by his immediate family members prior to the
relocation date, including reasonable costs for meals, lodging and
transportation during such trips.

          (e) In all other respects, Executive shall be entitled to benefits
under the Company's Executive Level relocation policy as from time to time in
effect.

     4.7 Indemnification. The Company shall (a) indemnify and hold Executive
harmless, to the full extent permitted under applicable law, for, from and
against any and all losses, claims, costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or
actions (including security holder actions, in respect thereof) relating to or
arising out of the Executive's employment with and service as an Officer of the
Company; and (b) pay all reasonable costs, expenses and attorney's fees incurred
by Executive in connection with or relating to the defense of any such loss,
claim, cost, expense, damage, liability or action. Following any termination of
the Executive's employment or service with the Company, the Company shall cause
any Director and Officer liability insurance policies applicable to the
Executive prior to such termination to remain in effect for six (6) years
following the date of termination of employment.

5.   Termination.


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     5.1 Termination of Executive's Employment by the Company for Cause. The
Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder for Cause (as defined
below). Such termination shall be effected by written notice thereof delivered
by the Company to Executive, indicating in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination, and shall be
effective as of the date of such notice in accordance with Section 12 hereof.
"Cause" shall mean (i) Executive's gross negligence or willful misconduct in the
performance of the duties or responsibilities of his position with the Company
or any subsidiary, or failure to timely carry out any lawful directive of the
President and COO or any designee; (ii) Executive's misappropriation of any
funds or property of the Company or any subsidiary; (iii) the commission by
Executive of an act of fraud or dishonesty toward the Company or any subsidiary;
or (iv) the use or imparting by Executive of any confidential or proprietary
information of the Company, or any subsidiary in violation of any
confidentiality or proprietary agreement to which Executive is a party.

     5.2 Compensation upon Termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive
without Good Reason. In the event of Executive's termination of employment (i)
by the Company for Cause or (ii) by Executive voluntarily without Good Reason:

          (a) Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) all amounts of accrued
but unpaid Base Salary through the effective date of such termination, (ii)
reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by Executive
through the date of notice of such termination, to the extent otherwise provided
under Section 4.2 above and (iii) all other vested payments and benefits to
which Executive may otherwise be entitled pursuant to the terms of the
applicable benefit plan or arrangement through the effective date of such
termination ((i), (ii) and (iii), the ("Accrued Benefits"). All other rights of
Executive (and, except as provided in Section 5.6 below, all obligations of the
Company) hereunder or otherwise in connection with Executive's employment with
the Company shall terminate effective as of the date of such termination of
employment.

          (b) Except as provided in Section 3.3(d), any portion of the Option or
any other then outstanding stock option that has not been exercised prior to the
date of termination shall immediately terminate as of such date, and any portion
of the Restricted Stock or any other Restricted Stock or other equity incentive
awards as to which the restrictions have not lapsed or as to which any other
conditions shall not have been satisfied prior to the date of termination shall
be forfeited as of such date.

Any termination of Executive's employment by Executive voluntarily without Good
Reason shall be effective upon 30 days' notice to the Company.

     5.3 Compensation upon Termination of Executive's Employment by the Company
Other Than for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason. Executive's employment
hereunder may be terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by Executive
for Good Reason. In the event that Executive's employment hereunder is
terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason:


                                                                          Page 5



          (a) Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) the Accrued Benefits,
(ii) an amount equal to two times the sum of Executive's Base Salary plus Annual
Target Bonus as of the date of termination of employment, such amount payable in
equal installments pursuant to the Company's standard payroll procedures for
management employees over a period of two years following the date of
termination of employment, and (iii) continued health insurance coverage for
Executive and his immediate family for a period of two years following the date
of termination of employment. In addition, if such termination occurs following
the start of the Company's fiscal year beginning on or about February 2001,
Executive shall also be entitled to receive a pro rata annual bonus determined
by multiplying Executive's then Annual Target Bonus by a fraction, (x) the
numerator of which is the number of days between the beginning of the then
current fiscal year of the Company (or, if later, Executive's start date) and
the date of termination of employment and (y) the denominator of which is 365.

          (b) All stock option awards held by Executive shall vest and become
immediately exercisable and the restrictions with respect to any awards of
Restricted Stock shall lapse, in each case to the extent such options would
otherwise have become vested and exercisable (or such restrictions would have
lapsed) had Executive remained in the employ of the Company for a period of two
years following the date of termination. Except as provided in Section 3.3(d),
such portion of Executive's stock options (together with any portion of
Executive's stock options that have vested and become exercisable prior to the
date of termination) shall remain exercisable for a period of 90 days following
the date of termination of employment (or, if earlier, until the expiration of
the respective terms of the options), whereupon all such options shall
terminate. Any portion of Executive's stock options that have not vested as of
the date of termination shall terminate as of such date; and all shares of
Restricted Stock as to which the restrictions shall not have lapsed as of the
date of termination shall be forfeited as of such date.

          (c) All other rights of Executive (and, except as provided in Section
5.6 below, all obligations of the Company) hereunder or otherwise in connection
with Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective as of the
date of such termination of employment.

Any termination of employment pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall be effective
upon thirty (30) days notice thereof.

     5.4 Definition of Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good
Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following:

          (a) any material adverse alteration in Executive's titles, positions,
duties, authorities or responsibilities with the Company or its subsidiaries
from those specified in this Agreement, as the same may be augmented from time
to time;

          (b) the assignment to Executive of any duties or responsibilities
materially inconsistent with Executive's status as Executive Vice President of
Store Operations of the Company; or


                                                                          Page 6



          (c) any other material breach of this Agreement by the Company,
including without limitation any decrease in Executive's Base Salary or Annual
Target Bonus opportunity as set forth in Sections 3.1 and 3.2;

provided, however, that in each such case the Company shall have the right,
within ten (10) days after receipt of notice from Executive of the Company's
violation of any of the foregoing, to cure the event or circumstances giving
rise to such Good Reason, in the event of which cure such event or circumstances
shall be deemed not to constitute Good Reason hereunder.

     5.5 Compensation upon Termination of Executive's Employment by Reason of
Executive's Death or Total Disability. In the event that Executive's employment
with the Company is terminated by reason of Executive's death or Total
Disability (as defined below):

          (a) Executive or Executive's estate, as the case may be, shall be
entitled to receive (i) the Accrued Benefits, (ii) any other benefits payable
under the then current disability and/or death benefit plans, as applicable, in
which Executive is a participant and (iii) continued health insurance coverage
for Executive and/or his immediate family, as applicable, for a period of two
years following the date of termination of employment.

          (b) All stock option awards held by Executive shall vest and become
immediately exercisable to the extent such options would otherwise have become
vested and exercisable had Executive remained in the employ of the Company for a
period of two years following the date of termination. Except as provided in
Section 3.3(c), such portion of Executive's stock options (together with any
portion of Executive's stock options that have vested and become exercisable
prior to the date of termination) shall remain exercisable for a period of 90
days following the date of termination of employment (or, if earlier, until the
expiration of the respective terms of the options), whereupon all such options
shall terminate. Any remaining portion of Executive's stock options that have
not vested as of the date of termination shall terminate as of such date.

          (c) All other rights of Executive (and, except as provided in Section
5.6 below, all obligations of the Company) hereunder or otherwise in connection
with Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective as of the
date of such termination of employment.

"Total Disability" shall mean any physical or mental disability that prevents
Executive from performing one or more of the essential functions of his position
for a period of not less than 90 days in any 12-month period and/or which is
expected to be of permanent duration.

     5.6 Survival. In the event of any termination of Executive's employment for
any reason, Executive and the Company nevertheless shall continue to be bound by
the terms and conditions set forth in Sections 6 through 10 below, which shall
survive the expiration of the Term.

     5.7 Excise Tax Gross-Up.


                                                                          Page 7



          (a) In the event that any payment or benefit received or to be
received by the Executive pursuant to the Terms of this Agreement or any other
plan, arrangement or agreement of the Company (or any affiliate) (collectively,
the "Payments") would be subject to the Excise Tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by
Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), as
determined as provided below, the Company shall pay to the Executive, at the
time specified in Section 5.7(b) below an additional amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after deduction of
the Excise Tax on payments and any federal, state and local income and
employment or other tax and the Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment, and any
interest, penalties or additions to tax payable by the company Executive with
respect thereto, shall be subject to the Total payments. For purposes of
determining whether any of the Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and
the amounts of such Excise Tax, (1) the total amount of the Payments shall be
treated as "parachute payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the
Code, and all "excise parachute payments" within the meaning of section
280G(b)(1) of the Code shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, except to
the extent that, in the opinion of tax counsel ("Tax Counsel") reasonably
acceptable to Executive and selected by the accounting firm which was,
immediately prior to the event giving rise to the Payment, the Company's
independent auditor (the "Auditor"), a Payment (in whole or in part) does not
constitute a "parachute payment" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the
Code, or such "excess parachute payments" (in whole or in part) are not subject
to the Excise Tax, (2) the amount of the Payments that shall be treated as
subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of (A) the total amount
of the Payments or (B) the amount of "excess parachute payments" within the
meaning of section 280G(b)(1) of the Code (after applying clause (1) hereof),
and (3) the value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit
shall be determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of sections
280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. For purposes of determining the amount of the
Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at
the highest marginal rates of federal income taxation applicable to individuals
in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and
local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of taxation applicable to
individuals as are in effect in the state and locality of the Executive's
residence in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made, net
of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes that can be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes, taking into account any limitations
applicable to individuals subject to federal income tax at the highest marginal
rates.

          (b) The Gross-Up Payment provided for in Section 5.7(a) hereof shall
be made upon the earlier of (i) ten days following the date of termination of
Executive's employment or (ii) the imposition upon the Executive or payment by
the Executive of any Excise Tax.

          (c) If it is established pursuant to a final determination of a court
or an Internal Revenue Service proceeding that the Excise Tax is less than the
amount taken into account under Section 5.7(a) hereof, the Executive shall repay
to the Company within thirty (30) days of the Executive's receipt of notice of
such final determination the portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to
such reduction (plus the portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to the
Excise Tax and federal, state and local income tax imposed on the portion of the
Gross-Up Payment being repaid by the Executive if and to the extent that such
repayment results in a


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reduction in Excise Tax and a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the Executive's
taxable income and wages for the purpose of federal, state and local income
taxes) plus any interest received by the Executive on the amount of such
repayment. If it is established pursuant to a final determination of a court or
an Internal Revenue Service proceeding that the Excise Tax exceeds the amount
taken into account hereunder (including without limitation by reason of any
payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the
Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an additional Gross-Up Payment
pursuant to Section 5.7(a) in respect of such excess within thirty (30) days of
the Company's receipt of notice of such final determination or proceeding. The
Executive and the Company shall each reasonably cooperate with the other in
connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings concerning the
existence or amount of liability for Excise Tax with respect to the Payments.

          (d) In the event of any change in, or further interpretation of,
sections 280G or 4999 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder,
the Executive shall be entitled, by written notice to the Company, to request an
opinion of Tax Counsel regarding the application of such change to any of the
foregoing, and the Company shall use its best efforts to cause such opinion to
be rendered as promptly as practicable. All fees and expenses of the Auditor and
Tax Counsel incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be borne by the
Company.

     5.8 No Other Severance or Termination Benefits. Except as expressly set
forth herein, Executive shall not be entitled to damages or to any severance or
other benefits upon termination of employment with the Company under any
circumstances and for any or no reason.

6.   Protection of Confidential Information.

     Executive acknowledges that during the course of his employment with the
Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates and strategic partners, he will be exposed
to documents and other information regarding the confidential affairs of the
Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates and strategic partners, including without
limitation information about their past, present and future financial condition,
the markets for their products, key personnel, past, present or future actual or
threatened litigation, trade secrets, current and prospective customer lists,
operational methods, acquisition plans, prospects, plans for future development
and other business affairs and information about the Company and its
subsidiaries, affiliates and strategic partners not readily available to the
public (the "Confidential Information"). Executive further acknowledges that the
services to be performed under this Agreement are of a special, unique, unusual,
extraordinary and intellectual character. In recognition of the foregoing, the
Executive covenants and agrees as follows:

     6.1 No Disclosure or Use of Confidential Information. At no time shall
Executive ever divulge, disclose, or otherwise use any Confidential Information,
unless and until such information is readily available in the public domain by
reason other than Executive's disclosure or use thereof in violation of the
first clause of this Section 6.1.

     6.2 Return of Company Property. Records and Files. Upon the termination of
Executive's employment at any time and for any reason, or at any other time the
Board may so


                                                                          Page 9



direct, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company's offices in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania all of the property and equipment of the Company, its subsidiaries,
affiliates and strategic partners (including any cell phones, pagers, credit
cards, personal computers, etc.) and any and all documents, records, and files,
including any notes, memoranda, customer lists, reports or any and all other
documents, including any copies thereof, whether in hard copy form or on a
computer disk or hard drive, which relate to the Company, its subsidiaries,
affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, and/or their respective
past and present officers, directors, employees or consultants (collectively,
the "Company Property, Records and Files"); it being expressly understood that,
upon termination of Executive's employment at any time and for any reason,
Executive shall not be authorized to retain any of the Company Property, Records
and Files.

7.   Noncompetition and Other Matters.

     7.1 Noncompetition. During the Term and, as applicable, for the two-year
period immediately following the date of termination of Executive's employment
either (x) by the Company for Cause or (y) by Executive other than for Good
Reason, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, in any city, town, county,
parish or other municipality in any state of the United States (the names of
each such city, town, parish, or other municipality, including, without
limitation, the name of each county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania being
expressly incorporated by reference herein), or any other place in the world,
where the Company, or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners,
successors, or assigns, engages in the ownership, management and operation of
retail drugstores (i) engage in a Competing Business for Executive's own
account; (ii) enter the employ of, or render any consulting services to, any
Competing Business; or (iii) become interested in any Competing Business in any
capacity, including, without limitation, as an individual, partner, shareholder,
officer, director, principal, agent, trustee or consultant; provided, however,
Executive may own, directly or indirectly, solely as a passive investment,
securities of any entity traded on any national securities exchange if Executive
is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such
entity and does not, directly or indirectly, own 1% or more of any class of
securities of such entity. For purposes of this Section 7.1, the phrase
"Competing Business" shall mean any entity a majority of whose business involves
the ownership and operation of retail drug stores.

     7.2 Noninterference. During the Term and for the two-year period
immediately following the date of termination of Executive's employment at any
time and for any reason (the "Restricted Period"), Executive shall not, directly
or indirectly, solicit, induce, or attempt to solicit or induce any officer,
director, employee, agent or consultant of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns to terminate
his, her or its employment or other relationship with the Company or its
subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns for the
purpose of associating with any competitor of the Company or its subsidiaries,
affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, or otherwise encourage
any such person or entity to leave or sever his, her or its employment or other
relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic
partners, successors or assigns for any other reason.


                                                                         Page 10



     7.3 Nonsolicitation. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not,
directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, or attempt to solicit or induce any
customers, clients, vendors, suppliers or consultants then under contract to the
Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or
assigns, to terminate his, her or its relationship with the Company or its
subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, for the
purpose of associating with any competitor of the Company or its subsidiaries,
affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns, or otherwise encourage
such customers, clients, vendors, suppliers or consultants then under contract
to terminate his, her or its relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries,
affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns for any reason.

8.   Rights and Remedies upon Breach.

     If Executive breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the
provisions of Sections 6 or 7 above (the "Restrictive Covenants"), the Company
and its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns
shall have the following rights and remedies, each of which shall be independent
of the others and severally enforceable, and each of which shall be in addition
to, and not in lieu of, any other rights or remedies available to the Company or
its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or assigns at law
or in equity.

     8.1 Specific Performance. The right and remedy to have the Restrictive
Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction by
injunctive decree or otherwise, it being agreed that any breach or threatened
breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the
Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or
assigns and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the
Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or
assigns.

     8.2 Accounting. The right and remedy to require Executive to account for
and pay over to the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners,
successors or assigns, as the case may be, all compensation, profits, monies,
accruals, increments or other benefits derived or received by Executive as a
result of any transaction or activity constituting a breach of any of the
Restrictive Covenants.

     8.3 Severability of Covenants. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the
Restrictive Covenants are reasonable and valid in geographic and temporal scope
and in all other respects. If any court determines that any of the Restrictive
Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of
the Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full
force and effect without regard to the invalid portions.

     8.4 Modification by the Court. If any court determines that any of the
Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the
duration or scope of such provision, such court shall have the power (and is
hereby instructed by the parties) to reduce the duration or scope of such
provision, as the case may be (it being the intent of the parties that any such
reduction be limited to the minimum extent necessary to render such provision
enforceable), and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be
enforceable.


                                                                         Page 11



     8.5 Enforceability in Jurisdictions. Executive intends to and hereby
confers jurisdiction to enforce the Restrictive Covenants upon the courts of any
jurisdiction within the geographic scope of such covenants. If the courts of any
one or more of such jurisdictions hold the Restrictive Covenants unenforceable
by reason of the breadth of such scope or otherwise, it is the intention of
Executive that such determination not bar or in any way affect the right of the
Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners, successors or
assigns to the relief provided herein in the courts of any other jurisdiction
within the geographic scope of such covenants, as to breaches of such covenants
in such other respective jurisdictions, such covenants as they relate to each
jurisdiction being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent
covenants.

9.   No Violation of Third-Party Rights. Executive represents, warrants and
     covenants that he:

     (i) will not, in the course of employment, infringe upon or violate any
proprietary rights of any third party (including, without limitation, any third
party confidential relationships, patents, copyrights, mask works, trade
secrets, or other proprietary rights);

     (ii) is not a party to any conflicting agreements with third parties, which
will prevent him from fulfilling the terms of employment and the obligations of
this Agreement;

     (iii) does not have in his possession any confidential or proprietary
information or documents belonging to others and will not disclose to the
Company, use, or induce the Company to use, any confidential or proprietary
information or documents of others; and

     (iv) agrees to respect any and all valid obligations which he may now have
to prior employers or to others relating to confidential information,
inventions, discoveries or other intellectual property which are the property of
those prior employers or others, as the case may be.

     Executive has supplied to the Company a copy of each written agreement to
which Executive is subject, which includes any obligation of confidentiality,
assignment of intellectual property or non-competition.

     Executive agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Company from any loss,
claim, damage, cost or expense of any kind (including without limitation,
reasonable attorney fees) to which the Company may be subjected by virtue of a
breach by Executive of the foregoing representations, warranties, and covenants.

10.  Arbitration.

     Except as necessary for the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates,
strategic partners, successors or assigns or Executive to specifically enforce
or enjoin a breach of this Agreement (to the extent such remedies are otherwise
available), the parties agree that any and all disputes that may arise in
connection with, arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or any dispute
that relates in any way, in whole or in part, to Executive's employment with the
Company or any


                                                                         Page 12



subsidiary, affiliate or strategic partner, the termination of that employment
or any other dispute by and between the parties or their subsidiaries,
affiliates; strategic partners, successors or assigns, shall be submitted to
binding arbitration in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania according to the National
Employment Dispute Resolution Rules and procedures of the American Arbitration
Association. The parties agree that the parties shall each bear his or its own
attorneys' fees and costs in connection with any such arbitration. This
arbitration obligation extends to any and all claims that may arise by and
between the parties or their subsidiaries, affiliates, strategic partners,
successors or assigns, and expressly extends to, without limitation, claims or
causes of action for wrongful termination, impairment of ability to compete in
the open labor market, breach of an express or implied contract, breach of the
covenant of good faith and fair dealing, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud,
misrepresentation, defamation, slander, infliction of emotional distress,
disability, loss of future earnings, and claims under the Pennsylvania
Constitution, the United States Constitution, and applicable state and federal
fair employment laws, federal and state equal employment opportunity laws, and
federal and state labor statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to,
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Fair Labor Standards Act, as
amended, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as
amended, and any other state or federal law.

11.  Assignment.

     Neither this Agreement, nor any of Executive's rights or obligations
hereunder, may be assigned or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Executive.
The Company may assign its rights and obligations hereunder, in whole or in
part, (i) to any of the Company's subsidiaries, affiliates, or parent
corporations; or (ii) to any other successor or assign in connection with the
sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or stock or in
connection with any merger, acquisition and/or reorganization involving the
Company.

12.  Notices.

     All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be given by fax or first class mail, certified or registered
with return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to have been duly given three
(3) days after mailing or twenty-four (24) hours after transmission of a fax to
the respective persons named below:

If to the Company:   Rite Aid Corporation
                     30 Hunter Lane
                     Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011
                     Attention: General Counsel
                     Fax: (717) 760-7867

If to Executive:     Mark C. Panzer


                                                                         Page 13



Any party may change such party's address for notices by notice duly given
pursuant hereto.

13.  General.

     13.1 No Offset or Mitigation. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in, and otherwise to perform its obligations under; this Agreement
shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
claim, right or action that the Company may have against the Executive or others
whether in respect of claims made under this Agreement or otherwise. In no event
shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other
action by way of mitigation of the amounts, benefits and other compensation
payable or otherwise provided to the Executive under any of the provisions of
this Agreement, and such amounts shall not be reduced, regardless of whether the
Executive obtains other employment.

     13.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without
giving effect to conflicts of laws principles thereof which might refer such
interpretations to the laws of a different state or jurisdiction.

     13.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding
of the parties relating to Executive's employment with the Company and cancels
and supersedes all agreements, arrangements and understandings relating thereto
made prior to the date hereof, written or oral, between the Executive and the
Company and/or any subsidiary or affiliate.

     13.4 Amendments: Waivers. This Agreement may be amended, modified,
superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms or covenants hereof may
be waived, only by a written instrument executed by the parties, or in the case
of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. The failure of any party at any
time or times to require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner
affect the right of such party at a later time to enforce the same. No waiver by
any party of the breach of any term or covenant contained in this Agreement,
whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed
to be, or construed as, a further or continuing waiver of any such breach, or a
waiver of the breach of any other term or covenant contained in this Agreement.

     13.5 Conflict with Other Agreements. Executive represents and warrants that
neither his execution of this Agreement nor the full and complete performance of
his obligations hereunder will violate or conflict in any respect with any
written or oral agreement or understanding with any person or entity.

     13.6 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and shall be binding upon the Company (and its successors and assigns) and
Executive and his heirs, executors and personal representatives.

     13.7 Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
the Company may withhold from amounts payable under this Agreement all federal,
state, local and foreign taxes that are required to be withheld by applicable
laws or regulations.


                                                                         Page 14



     13.8 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
invalid or unenforceable in part, the remaining portion of such provision,
together with all other provisions of this Agreement, shall remain valid and
enforceable and continue in full force and effect to the fullest extent
consistent with law.

     13.9 No Assignment. The rights and benefits of the Executive under this
Agreement may not be anticipated, assigned, alienated or subject to attachment,
garnishment, levy, execution or other legal or equitable process except as
required by law. Any attempt by the Executive to anticipate, alienate, assign,
sell, transfer, pledge, encumber or charge the same shall be void. Payments
hereunder shall not be considered assets of the Executive in the event of
insolvency or bankruptcy.

     13.10 Survival. This Agreement shall survive the termination of Executive's
employment and the expiration of the Term to the extent necessary to give effect
to its provisions.

     13.11 Captions. The section headings contained herein are for reference
purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement. .

     13.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and the Company have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.

                                             RITE AID CORPORATION

                                             ___________________________________


                                             By:
                                                 -------------------------------

                                             Its:
                                                  ------------------------------


                                             EXECUTIVE

                                             ___________________________________


                                                                         Page 15



                                   APPENDIX A

     A "Change in Control of the Company" shall be deemed to have occurred if,
as the result of a single transaction or a series of transactions, the event set
forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

          (1) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or
     indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the
     combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities;
     or

          (2) Incumbent Directors cease at any time and for any reason to
     constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving on the Board.
     "Incumbent Directors" shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of
     the Company as of the Effective Date or (B) are elected, or nominated for
     election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of
     the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but
     shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in
     connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not
     limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors to
     the Board); or

          (3) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or
     any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other
     corporation, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in
     the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such
     merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining
     outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving
     entity or any parent thereof) at least 60% of the combined voting power of
     the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent
     thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (ii)
     a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the
     Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the
     Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
     representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then
     outstanding voting securities; or

          (4) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
     liquidation or dissolution of the Company or an agreement for the sale or
     disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's
     assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or
     substantially all of the Company's assets to an entity, at least 60% of the
     combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by
     stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their
     ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

     "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 under Section 12
of the Exchange Act.


                                                                         Page 16



     "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act, except that a Person shall not be deemed to be the Beneficial
Owner of any securities which are properly filed on a Form 13G.

     "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time.

     "Person" shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange
Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such
term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a
trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding
securities pursuant to an offering of such securities or (iv) a corporation
owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.


                                                                         Page 17