Walgreens taps Microsoft HoloLens 2 for staff training pilot

Walgreens is piloting a training programme using Microsoft HoloLens 2 and tablet devices at its Kroger Express stores.

Part of a broader partnership with Microsoft, this will use a three-dimensional model of the stores and various scenarios to teach employees how to restock products, determine if an onion or banana is past its prime, help customers redeem grocery coupons and deal with unfamiliar service situations.

“We feel that this very immersive, interactive technology helps team members grasp new ways of learning beyond what I’ll call the paper exercise,” says Steven Lamontagne, Vice President of Physical Design and Formats at Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreens’ parent company.

The HoloLens training, developed by Microsoft partner Altoura, is first being tested at a Walgreens store in Knoxville, Tennessee. From there, it could be expanded to another 34 in Knoxville and 17 in Northern Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati area that are part of a pilot with Kroger. About 20 Kroger Express stores have opened since the initiative launched in late 2018.

“By using a 3D model for the store, a team member gets to see what the future is going to be like after their store’s remodelled, and they’re immediately within that new physical environment,” Lamontagne says.