Redbox now available at Columbus, Phoenix Walgreens

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. Redbox is infiltrating the nation’s largest drugstore chain.

The fully automated DVD rental system, featuring new-release DVDs for $1 per night, is now available in select Walgreens locations throughout the Columbus, Ohio, and Phoenix metro areas, Walgreens said Tuesday.

Consumers can rent redbox DVDs in 33 area Walgreens locations throughout Columbus and 160 Walgreens stores throughout the Phoenix area, and can return the DVDs to any redbox kiosk nationwide.

Redbox’s expansion into Columbus- and Phoenix-area Walgreens stores follows a successful installation of the service in select Walgreens locations throughout Chicago and Houston.

The nation’s largest drugstore chain began testing redbox in a small number of Chicago and Houston-area locations in September 2006.

“Walgreens has a proud history of offering some of the most innovative products and services in the drugstore industry, and our Chicago- and Houston-area customers have embraced redbox’s $1 per night price point and quick, self-service transaction,” said Walgreens divisional merchandise manager for electronics, Robin Randolph. “We’re excited to provide our Columbus and Phoenix customers with this added convenience, and look forward to their feedback on the service.”

Redbox makes renting DVDs easier than ever by utilizing a touch screen for consumers to select a film from an inventory of 500 DVDs, and can swipe a valid credit or debit card for payment. Customers can keep the DVD for as long as they’d like for $1 per night plus tax, without late fees, and return their DVD to any redbox nationwide. Each fully automated kiosk features 100 to 150 new movie releases, with new titles available every Tuesday.

To ensure a popular title is available, consumers can rent online on the company’s Web site to choose their title and pick it up immediately at the redbox location of their choice.