Walgreens Taps Jensen to Spearhead Fresh Food Foray
On the heels of news that it will dramatically expand its fresh food offerings, Walgreens has named grocery and c-store veteran Jim Jensen divisional merchandise manager for the new category.
Jensen, who most recently held a similar position at Tesco, PLC’s Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market chain prior to his departure at the end of 2009, also previously worked as a category manager at 7-Eleven.
Walgreens said it would test its fresh food offerings, which are expected to include prepared meals, salads, fruit and ready-to-bake pizzas, in limited target markets. As part of its fresh food expansion, the Deerfield, Ill.-based drug store chain, which operates 7,149 locations in all 50 states, is said to be in talks with food manufacturers including Unilever NV, Nestle SA and Sara Lee Corp.
Jensen, who most recently held a similar position at Tesco, PLC’s Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market chain prior to his departure at the end of 2009, also previously worked as a category manager at 7-Eleven.
Walgreens said it would test its fresh food offerings, which are expected to include prepared meals, salads, fruit and ready-to-bake pizzas, in limited target markets. As part of its fresh food expansion, the Deerfield, Ill.-based drug store chain, which operates 7,149 locations in all 50 states, is said to be in talks with food manufacturers including Unilever NV, Nestle SA and Sara Lee Corp.