DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. is adding a little "mystery" to Black Friday for mobile shoppers.
Walgreens said Tuesday that, for the first time, its mobile application will include a "mystery Black Friday" mobile coupon that customers can access for instant in-store savings.
When smartphone users open the Walgreens mobile app home screen starting on Black Friday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Nov. 25, they can "swipe to reveal" exclusive offers and discounts on Starbucks Doubleshot Energy Coffee products at their local Walgreens store. The drug chain said app is easily integrated into the iPhone’s Passbook, where the offers will also appear.
"This promotion is an excellent example of how technology and innovation work together to provide customers with a great offer that increases engagement and enhances their shopping experience," Walgreens e-commerce president Sona Chawla stated. "At a time when shoppers are out looking for the best deals, we’re making it easy by sending real-time, relevant offers directly to them."
Also from Nov. 23 to 25, Walgreens is offering through its mobile app a chance to enter a Black Friday sweepstakes to win 1 million Balance Rewards points, redeemable for merchandise at Walgreens stores or at Walgreens.com. The retailer launched the customer loyalty program in September.
Walgreens said Tuesday that it also has updated its mobile app with several feature enhancements.
The app’s QuickPrints tool, which enables users to print photos right from their devices to any Walgreens store, now provides photo editing functionality powered by Aviary. Also new is the ability to order canvas or poster prints from iPhone and iPad mobile devices in as little as an hour.
Users shopping with the Walgreens app also can now set a preferred store and search for products at that location. In addition, the app’s in-store mapping function, powered by technology provider aisle411, now enables customers to devise a digital shopping list to search for products and mark their location in a Walgreens store aisles by posting a pin on the map.
Other new features in the app include ready access to Walgreens’ new magazine, "Happy and Healthy: Your Guide To Living Well With Walgreens," and an enlarged selection of holiday greeting cards. The retailer said it’s offering 16 new holiday card templates that can be accessed and customized via the iPad app. The cards come in packs of 20 with envelopes and are available for pickup at a local Walgreens in about an hour.
