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Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens closed hundreds of in-store health clinics this year, but when it comes to supermarkets, the clinics may boost not just shoppers’ health, but the health of the stores themselves.
A new report from Placer.ai suggests that for some supermarket chains, the clinics appear to be a draw, attracting more foot traffic to the stores and, assuming some of those clinic patients grab a gallon of milk along with their flu shots, helping the stores’ bottom lines.
At one Kroger-owned chain, Dillons, visits to stores with healthcare clinics were 93% higher than the overall average for that chain for the first half of 2024; at another, Jay C, visits to stores with the clinics were 92.9% higher than the average for that chain.
At Kroger-branded stores, visits to stores with clinics were up 43% compared to the chain average during the same period.
Hot pockets: Along with getting more visitors, supermarkets with health clinics draw shoppers with deeper pockets, too.
At another Kroger chain, King Soopers, Placer.ai calculated the average household income of potential shoppers at stores with clinics to be $92,300, compared to $88,100 for stores without clinics.
Incomes also were higher among shoppers at other stores with clinics compared to their chains averages, too, including H-E-B ($81,900 vs. $72,500), and Jay C ($70,700 vs. $62,600).
“As grocery stores lean into healthcare, they are transforming into multifaceted hubs that offer both essential health services and everyday shopping needs,” the Placer.ai report concludes. “Retailers like Kroger and H-E-B are reaping the benefits of boosted foot traffic, higher-income visitors, and strengthened community ties.”