US supermarket giant Kroger and pharmacy chain Walgreens have announced that they will collaborate on a pilot project that will enable customers to access products and services from both companies.
Customers will be able to order groceries online from Kroger’s, and avail pick-up services from Walgreens stores, as part of the move.
An Exciting Collaboration
Initially, the concept will be tested for several months in 13 selected Walgreens outlets near Kroger's Cincinnati headquarters in Northern Kentucky.
"This exciting collaboration aligns with Kroger's vision of serving America through food inspiration and uplift," said Kroger's chairman and CEO, Rodney McMullen.
"This concept brings together the best of two great brands to rethink convenience and redefine the way America shops for food."
Customer feedback will also be evaluated during this pilot programme.
An Opportunity To Learn
Executive vice-chairman and CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., Stefano Pessina, believes that the agreement presents an “opportunity to test and learn” about offering better customer services.
"We continue to evolve our offerings to meet the changing needs of our customers and provide a more differentiated shopping experience," he said. "We've been implementing new approaches to promotions, product selection, and other areas to deliver greater value in our stores."
Some of Kroger’s products such as the ‘Our Brands’ grocery range and the organic line Simple Truth, will be available in-store at Walgreens locations that are a part of the pilot.
The products offered will complement Walgreens items and services across categories like health and wellness, pharmacy and beauty.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
