The military resale community has signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint buying alliance expected to provide even greater savings for authorized exchange and commissary shoppers.
“The establishment of a Joint Buying Alliance is an outgrowth of numerous cooperative efforts among the exchanges and commissaries,” said Capt. Bruce C. Brown, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Community Services Command.
On Jan. 31, the chief executive officers for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), Marine Corps Community Services (MCX), Coast Guard Exchange (CGX) and Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) signed the agreement that provides guidelines for a purchasing alliance involving retail merchandise and any other items sold by two or more of the organizations.
“Efforts including the MILITARY STAR card, private-label products through the Exchange Select brand and now our joint buying alliance are key to lowering overhead costs and maximizing savings,” said Tom Shull, AAFES Director/CEO.
The joint buying alliance will share common data and the cost of goods by maximizing combined buying power. Key retail areas that will kick off the purchasing alliance include electronics and health and beauty.
“The military resale organizations have had a long history of collaborative efforts on various businesses and customer initiatives, retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, dual-hatted as the CEO of NEXCOM and the DOD Special Assistant for Commissary Operations. “The joint buying alliance represents the next phase of increased collaboration among NEX, DeCA, CGX, MCX and AAFES.”
Common ownership by the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security combined with separate organizational structures allows each entity to compare terms prior to signing a contract. This structure ensures Coast Guard members, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers always receive the best possible price when shopping on a military installation or online at ShopMyExchange.com, MyNavyExchange.com or ShopCGX.com.
“Collaboration is key to improvement,” said Marine Corps Business and Support Services Division Director/CEO Cindy Whitman Lacy. “If a cooperative effort makes sense from a business perspective, the exchanges and commissaries are quick to partner to strengthen the benefit for those we are honored to serve.”
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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Media Notes:
For more information please contact:
AAFES Public Affairs: Julie Mitchell – [email protected]
NEXCOM Public Affairs: Courtney Williams – [email protected]
MCX Public Affairs: Bryan Driver – [email protected]
CGX Public Affairs: Scott Poteet – [email protected]
DECA Public Affairs: Kevin L. Robinson – [email protected]
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