Walgreens expands e-commerce, adding mobile coupon service

Walgreens recently added a mobile coupon service available through social media service foursquare, following the launch of new prescription mobile apps.

The company said it is the first retailer to offer the foursquare program, in which customers who check in at any Walgreens store instantly receive a scannable coupon on their smart phone. The coupons are redeemable in the store with no texting, reply, or other steps required.

“We’re using mobile technology and social media to better engage Walgreens customers, to give them convenient channels to interact with us, and to deliver products, services and savings they truly value,” said Sona Chawla, president of e-commerce for Walgreens, which first introduced mobile coupons in November.

In early March, Walgreens also added new mobile pharmacy services, including Pill Reminder and Transfer by Scan.

The Pill Reminder app allows iPhone users to track medication schedules and receive alerts through 9 different reminder options, such as daily, hourly, and weekly. The Transfer by Scan app allows patients to transfer a prescription from another pharmacy to Walgreens by taking a picture of their prescription bottle and providing their name, date of birth, and phone number.

Walgreens’ mobile pharmacy features are the most popular of its apps, according to the company.

“We’ve extended the convenience of Walgreens pharmacy through a number of intuitive, easy-to-use tools that can be very effective in helping patients better manage and improve their overall health,” Chawla said.