Foursquare members looking for a good deal can seek it at Walgreens now whenever they check-in at one of the chain's stores using their Android, Blackberry or iPhone. By simply checking-in, foursquare members will receive a scanable coupon that can be redeemed in the store without the need for a reply or any other steps on their part.
Walgreens claims it is the first retailer in the country to offer the program. The first offer valid through March 10 is for half-off on AriZona Iced Tea cans.
"We're using mobile technology and social media to better engage Walgreens customers, to give them convenient channels to interact with us and to deliver products, services and savings they truly value," said Sona Chawla, Walgreens president of E-commerce, in a press release. "With this program, it's just check in and the coupon is displayed instantly."
Part of what makes the Walgreens/foursquare program unique is the drugstore chain's use of optical scanners. As an Internet Retailer article points out, bar codes on smartphones can not be read by conventional laser scanners and very few retailers have optical scanners in stores. Walgreens installed the scanners in all of its stores in 2011.