Consumer-centric health engagement specialist Higi announced an agreement with drugstore chain Rite Aid to become the provider of health stations in stores nationwide.
The company will deploy approximately 4,100 stations across the United States beginning in the second quarter of 2014 and projects completion of the rollout by early 2015.
“We are very excited to be expanding Higi on a national level through this new relationship with Rite Aid,” said Jim Farrell, president of Higi. “Our primary goal is to help people take an active role in their personal health and well-being. Now Rite Aid customers and associates nationwide will be able to measure their personal body data through the Higi station and integrate that information into their lifestyle–allowing users to engage in their health in convenient and rewarding ways.”
Higi is an interactive way for users to take control of their health and wellness. Accessible in retail stores at the company’s branded stations, at home on the Website, at work and on the go with the mobile app, Higi gives users the ability to track health and wellness data.
At a Higi station, users receive stats on weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure and pulse. In addition, the High Shots application for the iPhone (now in beta mode) helps users learn more about their eating and activity habits.
“Rite Aid is pleased to be the first national drugstore chain to select a health station provider like Higi,” Dan Miller, Rite Aid senior vice president of pharmacy, said in a statement. “Higi was chosen because of the high quality, ease of use and effectiveness Higi stations offer, which ultimately supports Rite Aid’s long-term commitment to provide access to great health and wellness tools for our customers and associates.”
Based upon current rollout plans, by the end of 2014 Higi’s interactive health engagement kiosks will be available to users at more than 5,000 retail locations in 34 states.
In December, the company acquired the fitness gamification-based platform Earndit, which aggregates data from 11 activity trackers and mobile apps to allow users to earn rewards for their trackable physical activity as well as compete against each other in brand-sponsored challenges.
The Earndit team of experts in gamification, health engagement technology and brand integration will join Higi in developing new Higi-platform features to be released during the first quarter of 2014.The Earndit platform provides incentives, both virtual and physical, using a game-like experience that encourages users to engage in their health and wellness.
The free platform will be integrated into Higi’s suite of products, which includes the stations, Website and mobile app. The platform will also connect to other activity trackers and apps, collecting data and converting that information into points that can be redeemed for rewards.