CINCINNATI, OH - As Kroger continues to up the ante on its range of coveted shopping experiences, the grocer has decided to unveil the long-awaited expansion of its 'click and collect' online shopping option at its Liberty Township store to the general public.

The expansion of this service will allow shoppers to buy groceries, including produce, digitally and then grab their bags via pickup window without ever entering the store, according to Cincinnati.com. Kroger has been testing the service on a limited basis since last year with plans to introduce it to the public on Thursday.

During its $2.5 billion takeover of North Carolina-based Harris Teeter in 2014, Kroger acquired the technology which has the e-commerce option available at 150 of its 200 stores in the Southeast, U.S.

Kroger is widely known for its tact in implementing new programs, carefully testing new concepts in limited markets before launching a full scale roll out. Up until this point and for the past decade, the company’s King Soopers division in Denver has been the only real testing grounds for a delivery service, the publication notes.

Kroger employees were able to use the service locally in September during initial testing, and in December, the program was then expanded to select loyal customers.

Kroger