Kroger and Walgreens announced the expansion of their exploratory pilot to sell groceries in the pharmacy stores.
Last October, the companies revealed a partnership to develop and test a one-stop shopping experience inside 13 Walgreens locations where customers can access products and services from both brands and order groceries on kroger.com for pickup at Walgreens.
“We are redefining the customer experience in a variety of ways through Restock Kroger, including innovative partnerships like our test-and-learn pilot with Walgreens. We are excited to enter the next phase of the pilot,” said Robert Clark, Kroger’s senior vice president of merchandising.
The two companies will expand their exploratory pilot with the Kroger Express concept. Walgreens’ shoppers will be able to buy a curated assortment of 2,300 Kroger products and will include Home Chef meal kits, highlighting its natural and organic brand Simple Truth, along with dairy, meat, produce, frozen and meal solutions.
“We’re pleased to continue working together to explore new concepts that expand product selection to provide a better shopping experience and greater value for our customers,” said Richard Ashworth, Walgreens president of operations.
The first concept is operational in Florence, Kentucky. The remaining 12 pilot stores will be operational early next year.
The companies also announced the launch of Home Chef Express meal kits in 65 Walgreens locations in the Chicago area.
The new offering enhances the reach of Home Chef’s Express products, already available at certain Kroger Family of Stores, including select Mariano’s stores in the Chicago area.
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“Customers have responded favorably to the retail meal kits at our Mariano’s stores in the market and other Kroger Family of Stores located in different cities. The Walgreens expansion provides more Chicagoans convenient access to a quick, simple meal,” added Clark.
During the pilot, Walgreens will offer three unique Home Chef Express meal kit options, with recipes rotating bi-weekly.
Other recipes are available for delivery through homechef.com, where shoppers can find additional weekly variety.
“Making Home Chef Express meals available at Walgreens is another way Home Chef is making meal time easy,” said Pat Vihtelic, Home Chef CEO and founder. “The Express recipes, which cook in 15 minutes, are meals anyone can cook and everyone will love.”