More K.C. Stores Add Nurse Clinics

WENDY TOTH

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — McKeever Enterprises, which operates eight Price Chopper stores here, will open seven in-store clinics by November.

The supermarket partnered with MedBasics, Irving, Texas, to operate the clinics.

“The grocery environment is a good tie-in with our health and wellness service offerings,” said Brian Jones, chief executive officer of MedBasics. “We do education and treatment for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and many other conditions, so the ability to work with supermarket departments to promote healthy alternatives is a great advantage.”

MedBasics is already contracted to operate in 15 Price Chopper and Hen House stores in the Kansas City area. These stores are operated by Ball's Food Stores, here.

As such, MedBasics has a promotional and marketing plan in place for the new locations. “We have a couple of avenues. Cross-advertising and branding with the stores is a key strategy, so we participate in circulars on a weekly basis and use cross-signage both in the clinics and on the exterior of the store,” said Jones.

The pharmacy can benefit as well, Jones said. “Although we don't recommend it to the customers, many of them do fill their prescriptions right in the store because of the convenience of it.”