What Happened
Pharmacy chain Walgreens is extending its developer efforts with two new APIs, making it easier for third-party apps to pull out information about their stores across the country and access their digital coupons. Walgreens launched its API program in 2012, allowing developers to send print requests to its in-store photo kiosks. Since then, the company has expanded this program to allow fitness app developers to access its Balance Rewards loyalty program and an API for apps that handle prescription refills and transfers.
What Brands Need To Do
Walgreens’ API program provides a great example for brands and retailers to make their information and services readily available for app developers. Previously, for instance, Walgreens would send an Excel or CSV file to developers who requested access to its store locations, which is an ineffective way to share such information. By releasing those APIs, not only is Walgreens building some goodwill among the developer community, it is also leveraging third-party apps to reach more customers. Therefore, more brands should take a cue from Walgreens and start releasing their own APIs.
For more information on how brands, especially retailers, can effectively reach consumers across platforms by taking an omnichannel, data-driven approach, check out the Boundless Retail section in our Outlook 2016.
Source: TechCrunch
