New Loblaw healthcare app ties loyalty program to wellness goals
Loblaw is continuing its investment in healthcare with the launch of a mobile app that gives Canadians free access to registered nurses and dieticians, and the chance to earn PC Optimum loyalty rewards for reaching their health goals.
The PC Health app, which is rolling out in Atlantic Canada to start, provides users with personalized tools and recommendations based on their individual health needs and goals.
Through the app, health professionals will develop tailored programs to help users adopt healthy eating and exercise plans, for instance, rewarding them with PC Optimum points once they reach certain milestones.
"We exist to help Canadians live their lives as well as they can. We know that access to care and understanding how to best navigate the healthcare system are two of the biggest challenges facing many of our customers," said Jeff Leger, president, Shoppers Drug Mart, in a press release.
"The PC Health app combines the power of our robust healthcare network, extensive professional care services and our world-class loyalty program into a healthcare solution for Canadians, right at their fingertips," he added.
Loblaw said it eventually planned to expand the PC Health launch nationally, updating the experience as it goes to include access to virtual physician care and a digital pharmacy.
The new app is part of Loblaw's larger strategy to provide health-related services to its customers.
In September, Loblaw spent $75 million through its Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. subsidiary for a minority stake in telemedicine company Maple Corp., which helps connect people with doctors and medical specialists using a smartphone or computer.
The company, which in addition to the Shoppers Drug Mart chain operates pharmacies in its grocery stores, owns electronic medical records company QHR and virtual care service Medeo.
It also runs the Health Clinic by Shoppers, a primary-care and family practice clinic, and Wellwise, a new retail chain offered by Shoppers Drug Mart.