Mobile Apps Are Invaluable Tools for Retail, Says Pharmacy Chain Exec

The mobile app is an invaluable tool for Israeli drugstore chain Super-Pharm (Israel) Ltd., according to Ofer Lowy, a vice president of marketing and commerce at the chain. Lowy spoke Monday at Calcalist and Israel’s Bank Leumi’s Mind the Tech conference in Tel Aviv.

Three million people downloaded the app, which has over 550,000 active users, and 80% of all coupons it offers are redeemed, he said. The main challenge is creating a synergy between technology and brick and mortar shops, he added.

Super-Pharm uses several products to enhance the physical shopping experience, Lowy said. One example is a device that quickly scans a customer’s skin to recommend skin treatment products, currently available at 15 stores, he said. Another product mentioned by Lowy is a smart mirror by Palo Alto-based company MemoMi Labs Inc. that uses augmented reality to show customers what they would look like wearing different makeup products or glasses.

Ofer Lowy. Photo: Yariv Katz