Kmart tests automated prescription dispensers.(Kmart Holding Corp., Distributed Delivery Networks )(Brief Article)

Technology and consumers' gotta-have-it-now mentality continue to create new revenue and service opportunities for retailers, with one of the newest trends involving automated prescription refill machines.

Kmart has joined Longs Drug Stores as the second major chain to begin testing this technology, with agreements for similar tests in the works at Walgreens, Duane Reade, Safeway and Ahold. A machine made by Distributed Delivery Networks was installed at Kmart's busy Penn Station store in Manhattan in August, and depending on the test, this service could eventually be rolled out to Kmart's more than 1,000 pharmacies.

Besides this store, a second Automated …