When Walgreens announced the deal for Drugstore.com in March, CEO Gregg Wasson said the acquisition would help advance the chain's goal of "becoming the most convenient choice for health and daily living needs whether customers shop online or in our stores."
Now, it appears, the company is looking to become an even more convenient multi-channel shopping options for consumers with the announcement that it will offer online ordering with in-store pickup at 480 locations in the Chicagoland area. This comes on top of a test in the San Jose, CA market where the service is available in 27 stores.
"Our customers value choice, control and convenience and Web Pickup brings all of these together to cater to on-the-go shoppers," said Sona Chawla, president of e-commerce for Walgreens, in a press release. "We've developed many innovative ways to engage our growing numbers of online shoppers and to make Walgreens.com a great shopping experience. By adding the convenience of in-store pickup and soon curbside delivery, we're making shopping easier than ever before."
Shoppers may place online orders at www.walgreens.com/webpickup for most non-prescription items found in Walgreens. Orders can be ready for pickup in as little as an hour's time. Select stores will offer curbside pickup with a $20 minimum purchase.
"To shop online anywhere, any time and be able to pick up in as little as an hour is a great convenience, especially for busy moms, those who might have kids in the car, our mobility challenged customers and many others," said Ms. Chawla. "Traffic to Walgreens.com has grown 50 percent over the last two years, so we know that more and more customers enjoy the convenience and intuitiveness of our website as well as the wide product selection."