CINCINNATI – The Kroger Co. and the pharmacy chain Walgreens, a business unit of the Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., are testing two concepts in regional Walgreens outlets. The two initiatives are a part of a partnership the two companies entered into this past October.

“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,” said Robert Clark, Kroger's senior vice president of merchandising. “We are excited to enter the next phase of the pilot.”

In Northern Kentucky, the supermarket retailer is in the process of installing its Kroger Express format in 13 Walgreens stores. Kroger Express features approximately 2,300 products, including national brands, the retailer’s private brands and Home Chef meal kits. The first store is operational in Florence, Kentucky, and the remaining 12 stores are scheduled to be up and running early next year.

In the Chicago area, approximately 65 Walgreens stores will be offering Home Chef meal kits. During the pilot, Walgreens will offer three meal kit options with recipes rotating on a bi-weekly basis. Each meal serves two and has a suggested retail price of $8.50.

“The Kroger Express concept creates easy access to our most popular brands and products through a fill-in grocery shopping experience for Walgreens customers, and our Home Chef Express meal kits provide customers with an on-demand solution for tonight’s dinner,” Clark said.