Big A adds 99-cent department, postal services

SOUTH GATE, Calif. - Big A Drug Stores, fighting back against intensifying competition from 99-cent stores in its neighborhood markets, started rolling out a section of basic general merchandise items that retail for 99 cents or less.

In another move designed to generate traffic, the U.S. Postal Service granted Big A permission to put 200-square-foot post office substations in all stores. Big A currently has post office substations in three of its 22 stores.

Big A, which operates 15 Drug Emporium discount drug stores and seven traditional drug stores within its Big A division, has been testing the new 99-cent department since january,...