Foodservice Solutions on this blog repeatedly has reported that this is what Walgreen's was about to do. We are convinced that if done correctly this test will prove successful and assist in propelling Walgreen to a new level in retail sales.
Veronica Dagher of Dow Jones Newswire said in an article today that “Walgreen's offering is expected to lead to a much bigger push into the fresh food sector for the company. In turn, the people say Walgreen will likely be selling meals such as chicken Marsala, macaroni and cheese and General Tso's chicken.”
Success leaves clues and Walgreens has picked up on the success clues particularly when it comes to retail foodservice.
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Steven,
ReplyDeleteDo you know who designed these prototypes? They look too c-store.
NO I do not know. I will check and get back to you via Email.
ReplyDeletehi, I would like to know where I can purchase Cafe'W frozen microwavable meals with the great vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, sweet potatoes, etc. I had one with spinach, brown rice pilaf, and pineapple chicken. It was terrific but I don't know which store it came from. Please let me know.
ReplyDeleteBay Area Walgreens' fresh food program rolls out
ReplyDeleteAndrew S. Ross
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sushi at Walgreens? Hai!
Also, fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, sandwiches and ready-to-heat meat loaf.
The array of vittles, spotted at a Walgreens in San Francisco's Outer Richmond, is part of a Bay Area pilot program focused on "consumers looking for more healthy food alternatives," said Robert Elfinger, a spokesman for the Deerfield, Ill., drug store chain.
"Our San Francisco area customers are already buying a lot of food in our stores, and there are requests for more product offerings," he said.
In addition to the items listed above - and Walgreens' more traditional offerings, including candy, potato chips and soda - there'll be meats, wraps, soups "and other on-the-go meal options, as well as convenient alternatives for tonight's meal," said Elfinger.
The Outer Richmond store, which began stocking its fresh food shelves last week, is one of approximately 30 in the Bay Area where the pilot program will roll out through the summer.
"As we learn from this initial test, we believe there's potential to expand this offering to more stores in the Bay Area," said Elfinger.
In September, Walgreens started a pilot program in Chicago focusing on "food deserts" - neighborhoods underserved by grocery stores. "We made a commitment to seek solutions for offering these communities more fresh and healthy food options," said Mark Wagner, a Walgreens executive vice president, in announcing the Chicago program.
After Walgreens took over the Duane Reade drug store chain in New York, it expanded Duane Reade's "delish" line of fresh food. There are plans to start similar programs in several hundred Walgreens stores nationwide.
Apart from the health aspect - which has made some wonder why it continues to sell booze and cigarettes (except in San Francisco, where pharmacies are banned from selling the latter) - Walgreens is following in the footsteps of other major chain retailers, like Wal-Mart and Target, which are getting into the fresh food business in a major way.
"With our three fresh food pilot markets, we hope to give consumers more options and more reasons to visit our stores," said Elfinger.
Location, location: Walgreens sent us a list of 13 stores in San Francisco that have either started the program or will do so by the end of June:
-- North Beach: 1344 Stockton St.
-- Financial District: 100 Sansome St., 116 New Montgomery, 275 Sacramento St.
-- Union Square: 450 Powell St.
-- Embarcadero/Downtown: 30 Market St., 456 Mission St.
-- Civic Center: 1301 Market St.
-- The Mission: 2690 Mission St., 3400 Cesar Chavez St.
-- Bayview: 5300 Third St.
-- Richmond: 25 Point Lobos Ave.
-- Sunset: 3001 Taraval St.
The two other Bay Area locations listed so far are at the Westlake Center in Daly City and in San Rafael, at 830 Third St.
Ok i just tried a cafe W with sweet potatoes. OMG was it good, the vegtables actually had flavor, like they were fresh. I stopped and got one for tonight and I can't wait to try it. Is it really possible to have good frozen food?
ReplyDeleteLee is me