The Walgreens app is available for free download in Microsoft’s Windows Phone store. The app is the latest example of how mobile is playing a key role for Walgreens to help with consumer convenience.

“We are offering the Walgreens app for Windows Phone 8 to make it easier for our customers to shop with us through a variety of mobile devices and platforms,” said Mai Lee Ua, senior manager of media relations at Walgreens, Deerfield, IL.

“We aim to create a unique customer experience that allows our shoppers to engage with us whenever and however they choose,” she said.

“Mobile continues to be a focus for us, and we look forward to delivering innovative utility for our app users.”

Mobile refill
The Walgreens Windows Phone 8 app is similar to Walgreens’ other mobile apps.

For instance, consumers can refill their prescriptions by scanning a pill bottle. There are also options to transfer prescriptions and sign up to receive SMS alerts via the app.

The app also plays up Walgreens’ photo services. Consumers can pick photos from their device’s camera roll or from Facebook to print and pick up in-store one hour later. One-hundred photos can be uploaded at a time and users do not need to create an account to place an order.

Consumers can also find a store and slim down results through a store filter feature.

The app also includes a few features that are native to the Windows Phone 8.

For example, consumers can create app shortcuts to their home screen via their device so that they can access the app quickly.

Additionally, consumers can open the app and specific features through voice recognition via the home button on their mobile device.

The app also integrates Walgreens’ Balance Rewards program so that cardmembers can link their cards to the Windows Phone Wallet to use in-store.

In addition to the new Windows Phone 8 app, Walgreens also has plans to roll out a Windows 8 version of the app for tablets and desktops.

Walgreens will also debut its QuickPrints API designed for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 devices in the near future.

Mobile loyalty
Walgreens has consistently been ahead of the curve with mobile over the years.

An executive at Forrester’s Forum For Customer Experience Professionals East said that in addition to using mobile to build up its loyalty program to 72 million users in the past nine months, the company is also seeing half of its mobile traffic coming from consumers who are in-store (see story).

The company also added new features such as print-to-store and health resources to its mobile app earlier this year (see story).

“With the reported 100 million users of the Windows Phone 8 in the market, it’s a safe bet to ensure that Walgreens is reaching all of their clients with the availability of an app with abilities such as photo share, filling prescriptions quicker, and utilizing the balance rewards card to name a few of the advantages,” said Marci Troutman, CEO of SiteMinis, Atlanta.

Ms. Troutman is not associated with Walgreens. She commented based on her expertise on the subject.

“This is a natural extension for reach and frequency for all consumers to have access to their mobile capabilities,” she said.

Final Take
Lauren Johnson is associate reporter on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York