Walgreens Makes Huge Online Push for Its New Loyalty Program

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. has begun online open enrollment for its Balance Rewards loyalty program prior to its official launch on Sept. 16 at Walgreens and Duane Reade locations.

Walgreens is offering customers an incentive to join online or via a mobile application (app). The company announced that customers who join the loyalty program through Sept. 15 will have a chance to enter the Walgreens 10 Million Point Giveaway sweepstakes.

"We are initially opening enrollment in one of the most important programs in Walgreens history through online and mobile technology as a testament to the company's legacy of innovation," said Graham Atkinson, Walgreens senior vice president and chief experience officer. "The Balance Rewards Program and its features build upon our efforts to give customers easy, multi-channel access to health and daily living needs."

As for the sweepstakes, customers who refer friends and family to the loyalty program will be eligible for additional entries. Walgreens will randomly select 10 grand-prize winners who will earn 1 million loyalty points each.

"Online enrollment for Balance Rewards is another step in our commitment to help our customers get, stay and live well," said Atkinson. "We hope the 10 Million Point Giveaway will not only encourage our customers to join Balance Rewards but also share the unique combination of features of this loyalty program with their friends and family."

In addition to its new loyalty program, Walgreens also announced several additions to its mobile app including the ability to print photos from Facebook and pick them up in store; an in-store map feature that allows customers to map and locate items within any Walgreens store nationwide; and QuickPrints, which enables users to print photos directly from their mobile devices to any Walgreens nationwide location in about one hour.