Tuesday September 18, 2012

Walgreen's Loyalty Program Supports Healthy Behavior

Deerfield, IL — Walgreen Co. has launched a loyalty program that rewards healthy purchases and behaviors.

The program, called Balance Rewards, debuted at each of the more than 7,900 Walgreens and Duane Reade stores nationwide on Sunday, September 16.

The company says customers accumulate points by purchasing specific items that are noted in the company’s weekly circular, filling prescriptions and receiving immunizations

Points can also be earned by joining the organization’s healthy-lifestyle programs, such as Walk with Walgreens, a program that tracks users’ walking habits. It is currently the only way to earn points without making a purchase.

Graham Atkinson, Walgreens senior vice-president and chief customer experience officer, says: “As part of our strategic vision to become America's first choice for health and daily living, Balance Rewards is the latest innovation in Walgreens’ long heritage of helping customers be happy and healthy.”

The Balance Rewards program offers customers both savings and reward points, according to the organization, which says shoppers will receive $5 in Redemption Dollars when they accumulate 5,000 points, $10 for 10,000 points, all the way up to $50 in Redemption Dollars for 40,000 points.

The company says points last for three years and remain active as long as the customer shops at a Walgreens once every six months.

The new program works in parallel with the company's existing Register Rewards loyalty initiative.

Online enrollment for Balance Rewards has been available since September 6, and more than one million customers have already signed up.

Walgreens has also been promoting a healthy lifestyle with its new Well Experience stores. They are located in major U.S. cities, including Chicago, New York and Las Vegas, are more focused on lifestyle, health and preventative care than a traditional pharmacy, the company says.