Walgreens Confirms Chilled Foods Test this Fall

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July 6, 2010

This fall, Walgreen Co. will begin testing chilled foods –– including sandwiches, wraps, fresh fruit cups, soups and salads –– at approximately a dozen stores.

Walgreens spokesperson Tiffani Washington confirmed the test to the Wall Street Journal, noting the food initiative could help position the drug store chains to be viewed as a dinner destination.

People familiar with the initiative told the Wall Street Journal that the said the test is broad and deeper than what was confirmed Washington. Some say the test will be in 50 stores, mostly in the Chicago areas and could include meals such as chicken Marsala, macaroni and cheese and General Tso's chicken.

Walgreens, which recently acquired Duane Reade, admitted they are impressed with Duane Reade’s limited fresh foods program executed in New York City and will apply some of those learnings as well. Competitor CVS Caremark Corp. also is testing fresh food in select stores.

"Drugstores realize if they're going to survive in this marketplace, they can't be one-note songs. They need to have more things to offer consumers," said William Cross, vice president of restaurant and food brand licensing at Broad Street Licensing Group, adding that fresh food and other store brands food and beverage offerings are future growth categories for drug stores.

Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreen operates 7,500 stores across the country.

Read These Related Articles:

• CVS to Test Expanded Grocery and Store Brand Prepared Foods
• Walgreen Tests Store Brand Prepared Foods
• Walgreens Hires New Fresh Food Director
• Walgreens to Sell DR Delish Chainwide
• Waitrose Targets Desk Jockeys with New Lunchtime Store Brands Line

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