Transaction volume in the drug store sector slowed over the past 18 months due to investor trepidation of the failed Walgreens-Rite Aid merger. Walgreens originally proposed a complete acquisition of Rite Aid, but those plans were halted due to regulatory concerns. The final iteration of the Walgreens and Rite Aid transaction calls for Walgreens' acquisition of 1,932 Rite Aid stores, three distribution centers and existing inventory. The acquisition has begun, but it isn't expected to be fully completed until the spring of 2018.