Walgreens’ latest update to its iPhone application enables users to clip paperless coupons and add the savings to their Balance Rewards loyalty card as a way to bring added value for users while also driving in-store traffic.

The new coupon clipping feature is available in the Weekly Ad section of the app as well as from the This Week’s Bonus Buys and This Month’s Saving Book areas. Another new feature introduced in the update includes the ability to schedule an appointment at a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic.

“We are always looking for ways to provide a top-notch customer experience, whether that’s through a mobile device, online or in-store,” said Mai Lee Ua, senior manager of public relations at Walgreens, Deerfield, IL.

“With more than 85 million Balance Rewards members, providing our customers with an easy and convenient way to save while on the go is another example of how we’re helping people get, stay and live well,” she said.

Everyday tool
The Walgreens app previously offered a digital version of its Balance Rewards card as well as mobile coupons. Walgreens is smart to integrate the two features as this is something other retailers have seen success with as a way to drive additional convenience and value for app users while also increasing in-store traffic.

The Balance Rewards Card can also be added to Apple’s Passbook app to make savings more convenient for consumers.

The coupon, loyalty integration is one way Walgreens is encouraging customers to come back to the app on a regular basis by making it a useful everyday tool.

Health and wellness

The drugstore chain is also boosting the health and wellness-related features in its app as another way to drive repeat usage.

For example, users can find available appointments at a nearby Healthcare Clinic location and schedule an appointment from their phone.

Customers can also scan over-the-counter items to create a reminder for when to take their vitamins, supplements and non-prescription medications.

This last feature is an extension of a similar service previously offered in the Walgreens app, reminding users when to take their prescription medications.

Much of Walgreens’ initial success in mobile was around prescription-related services such as prescription refills, refill reminders and prescription transfers.

The app also has robust photo capabilities, enabling customers to print photos from their phones, edit photos and create photo cards.

Going forward, Walgreens is focused on continuing to build out its health and wellness related mobile services while also building relevancy for non-pharmacy purchases through services such as mobile coupons.

“We aim to be the first choice in health and daily living, and the Walgreens app delivers on this vision by welcoming customers to engage with us through the convenience of their device,” Ms. Ua said. “App functionality such as the Healthcare Clinic locater and appointment scheduler, Refill by Scan, Pill Reminders, Pharmacy Chat and text alerts provides greater flexibility.

“As we enhance our offerings to better meet our customers’ needs, we hope to provide increased functionality that enables people to better manage their health and wellness,” she said.

Final Take
Chantal Tode is associate editor on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York