Longs Drugs Stores Corp., the California-based retail chain that is the biggest drug store operator in Hawai'i, reported sales at stores open at least a year rose in June as an increase in pharmacy sales offset a slight decline in merchandise.

The Walnut Creek, Calif.-based company said same-store sales rose 1.1 percent during the period as pharmacy sales grew 2.6 percent and front-of-the-store sales declined 0.4 percent. The retailer noted sales were hurt by people switching from brand-name drugs to new generics that became available and was helped by the inclusion of Memorial Day in the fiscal period compared with a year earlier.