Rite Aid to expand its Wellness+ program to include ability to save and redeem online coupons; every week, members will be able to load an average of more than US$100 in savings onto their Wellness+ cards

Cindy Allen

CAMP HILL, Pennsylvania , December 14, 2011 (press release) – Rite Aid is making exciting changes to its wellness+ program to deliver even more value to its most loyal customers. Starting Jan. 1, 2012, all members will find it easier to shop and save at Rite Aid with exclusive access to the drugstore industry’s first coupon management tool. In addition, members who reach the silver level of Rite Aid’s free customer rewards program will enjoy new wellness rewards of their choosing.

“Wellness+ has been a game-changer for Rite Aid,” said Ken Martindale, Rite Aid Chief Operating Officer. “As we grow the program, it’s important that we continue to enhance its value to members. Through innovative tools and exciting, new wellness rewards, we’ll deliver more value than ever before to wellness+ members – our most loyal customers – in the new year.”

Rite Aid will introduce Load2Card, a new coupon management program that will allow all wellness+ members to save, manage and redeem Rite Aid and manufacturer coupons available throughout the internet via their wellness+ card. Rite Aid is the first in the drugstore industry to offer this tool. Every week, members will have the opportunity to load an average of more than $100 in savings directly to their wellness+ card. The coupon savings will automatically be deducted from applicable purchases when customers scan their wellness+ card at checkout. Paper coupons will continue to be accepted.

To enable the direct-to-card savings, on or after Jan. 1, 2012, members simply need to activate and log in to their online wellness+ account on www.riteaid.com. Customers who do not yet have a wellness+ account will also be able to create one at this time and to use Load2Card immediately.

Also new in 2012, when members reach 500 points, they’ll earn a wellness reward of their choice, such as a gym membership, health/fitness magazine subscription or health screening. All members will receive notification of reward eligibility and redemption details on their register receipt and by email.

Members of wellness+ will also be able to enjoy three tiers of savings and rewards in 2012. Adding to the gold and silver wellness+ membership tiers, Rite Aid has created a brand new bronze tier for members who reach 250 points in a single year. Bronze tier members will receive 10 percent off all Rite Aid brand products every day as well as a one-time 10 percent off shopping pass* for use in the store.

The silver and gold tier point levels will stay the same at 500 and 1,000 points respectively. Upon reaching 500 points, silver members receive 10 percent off all qualifying non-prescription purchases every day. After reaching 1,000 points, gold members receive 20 percent off all qualifying non-prescriptions every day. Anyone who reaches silver or gold status by the end of 2011 will retain their status throughout 2012.

All members of wellness+ will continue to enjoy everyday benefits, available immediately upon enrollment, including:

+UP Rewards, which print at the bottom of a register receipt and are redeemable like cash toward a future qualifying purchase
Members-only sale pricing throughout the store
24/7 exclusive access to a Rite Aid pharmacist by calling 1-800-RITE-AID

With more than 44 million enrolled members, Rite Aid’s wellness+ program was recognized as the top-ranked and most-recommended loyalty program in the country by Zocalo Group this past February and was awarded the Shopper Technology Institute's 2011 LEADER Award in October. Launched in April 2010, wellness+ has been the drugstore industry’s first and only customer loyalty program to provide health and wellness benefits in addition to the shopping discounts, store and manufacturer coupons, and special prices offered to members. Members earn points every time they shop at Rite Aid. One point is earned for every dollar spent on non-prescription purchases and 25 points are earned for every prescription filled.**

To learn more about all of the changes to Rite Aid’s wellness+ program effective January 1, 2012 or to enroll, visit www.riteaid.com or any Rite Aid pharmacy.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD - News) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with approximately 4,700 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2011 annual revenues of $25.2 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through Rite Aid’s website at www.riteaid.com.

*Ten percent off pass may not be used for the purchase of cigarettes, alcohol, gift cards, online purchases, lottery tickets, licenses, money orders and transfers, prepaid cards, stamps, other mail services and items prohibited by law.

** Prescriptions paid for in whole or in part by state or federal healthcare programs such as Medicare or Medicaid and prescriptions filled in NY or NJ are not eligible by law for accrual of points. Visit www.riteaid.com for complete details.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.