Kaufland Launches Telemedicine practices Within Grocery Stores
Mosbach, Germany – November 7, 2023 – Grocery retailer Kaufland is piloting in-store medical treatment through a partnership with Sana Clinics, beginning with a branch in Mosbach. The new “S | Medical Room” offers video consultations with family doctors,supported by on-site medical assistants.
Kaufland, owned by the Schwarz Group, aims to “supplement the health care of local people” and “bring medical services into people’s living environment,” according to a Kaufland spokesman. The practices, located near the butcher shop and bakery, will also offer “small check-ups,” such as body analyses conducted by Sana Kliniken specialists.
The service is available to patients with statutory and private insurance, as well as self-payers for additional services. Kaufland is not simply providing space; the “S | Medical Room” in Mosbach is a branch of the existing medical care center (MVZ) operated jointly by Kaufland and Sana Kliniken at the Schwarz Group headquarters in Neckarsulm. This MVZ already provides treatment for Schwarz employees.
Sana Kliniken operates 46 hospitals and 57 MVZ facilities nationwide. Kaufland operates over 780 stores in Germany. While the companies see “great potential” in the concept, expansion will depend on the results from the Mosbach pilot. A Sana spokesman stated the system is “easily scalable.”
The move follows a similar strategy by drugstore chain dm, which recently began offering health treatments like eye tests and skin scans in its stores. The Schwarz Group is also reportedly considering entering the mail order business for medicines,as reported by Handelsblatt.
