ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Walgreens and Duane Reade drug stores nationwide are providing international and domestic money transfer services through a new stage-and-pay kiosk model from Western Union.

The payment services company said Wednesday that the transfers, offered via the Walgreens Balance Financial platform launched last fall, enable customers to send or receive money at more than 7,650 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Transactions can be initiated at a kiosk using a photo touchscreen and finalized immediately or at another time on the same day. The service is available at Walgreens stores between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

"In keeping with our goal to be first choice for health and daily living for everyone in America and beyond, Walgreens will offer Western Union Money Transfer transactions as part of our expanding suite of financial services. Components like money transfer transactions empower customers by giving them easy access to powerful financial tools,"  Jason Dubinsky, vice president and treasurer at Walgreens, said in a statement. "By giving customers the ability to send and receive money at our stores, we are delivering on our promise to offer financial services that provide convenience and value."

In announcing the Walgreens Balance Financial payment and banking services last October, the drug chain had said it planned to introduce Western Union Money Transfers. Western Union said Wednesday that it had signed a multiyear agreement signed with Walgreens last year.

Western Union said the transfer service allows consumers to experience accelerated transactions by using the self-serve kiosk to independently fill out their transactions. For the retailer, it provides additional convenience to customers, facilitates digital compliance checking and efficient checkouts.

"Western Union’s advanced point-of-sale model enhances access and experience by simplifying process, granting control and facilitating speedy service end-to-end for customers, as well as retail agents," stated Odilon Almeida, president of Western Union, Americas and European Union. "We are bridging retail experience with digital innovation delivering upon our omnichannel strategy, while making it simple and fast for our customers. We are pleased to be rolling out this breakthrough service model in collaboration with Walgreens."