Kroger and Walgreens expand one-stop shop pilot program

Kroger Co. and Walgreens are building on a pilot program that allows customers to purchase Kroger products at Walgreens stores, the companies said December 4.

The firms will offer Cincinnati-based Kroger's Kroger Express service at 13 Walgreens test stores in Northern Kentucky, the companies said. Kroger Express is a convenience service that offers a select range of products, including meal kits, national brand items, and Kroger's Our Brand products. The first program is up and running in Florence, Kentucky; the remaining 12 stores will be operational next year, the companies said.

The deal marks yet another move in the evolving e-grocery market. It adds to the companies' one-stop shopping pilot program announced in October, which allows customers easy access to Kroger products at Walgreens stores, including the ability to purchase Kroger products online for pickup at Walgreens, the companies said.

The pilot is part of the data-driven Restock Kroger program, launched last year to improve the customer experience and address the changing grocery marketplace, according to Kroger.

Kroger and Chicago-based Walgreens also expanded their partnership in Chicago, announcing the availability of meal-delivery service Home Chef Express meal kits at 65 Walgreens locations in the Chicago area. During the pilot, Walgreens will offer three unique Home Chef Express meal kit options, with recipes rotating bi-weekly, the company said.