WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is spreading the word of its mobile application’s benefits via a new online promotion that offers up to 1 million free smartphones to consumers.
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The drug chain said Friday that consumers seeking a new smartphone or who are eligible for a device upgrade with their current carrier can visit CVS.com/smartphone, where they can choose from a selection of Android smartphones. Once consumers pick a phone and enroll for a new or upgrade to a two-year contract, the phone will be shipped directly to them.
Upon receipt of the phone, consumers then receive a text message prompting them to download the CVS Mobile app.
"Over the past year, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of our CVS/pharmacy customers using mobile devices to refill prescriptions, shop and manage their ExtraCare savings and rewards," Brian Tilzer, senior vice president and chief digital officer at CVS/pharmacy, said in a statement. "This complimentary offer makes the CVS Mobile app even more accessible to our customers who have yet to experience its capabilities."
CVS noted that its mobile app was top-rated for Android-supported mobile devices in a recent consumer poll of retail apps by Xtreme Labs.
Serving up shopping and pharmacy services to consumers on the go, the CVS Mobile app provides such tools as the My Mobile Card feature, which enables customers to scan and save their ExtraCare card data within the app. Shoppers also can leverage the app to place photo print orders from their smartphone camera roll for same-day pickup, using the built-in GPS locator to find a nearby CVS store.
Customers, too, can access a new Pill Identifier tool to check for drug interactions and identify pills by shape, color and imprint, as well as use the Scan Your Refill tool to scan their prescription barcodes for easy ordering of prescription refills.
CVS has ramped up its focus on mobile devices over the past year. Late last month, for example, the drug chain gave customers access to a 3-D "virtual" store with the launch of a free application for the Apple iPad. The retailer said the CVS iPad app "brings to life" a digital drug store that customers can visit on the go or from home and quickly access pharmacy, ExtraCare, photo and MinuteClinic services, as well as browse their favorite departments to shop.
