DALLAS – On July 15, 1996, when “Independence Day” ruled the box office and “California Love” dominated the pop charts, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service debuted its website, then known as www.aafes.com.
The site has evolved into today’s ShopMyExchange.com, offering millions of name-brand products—tax-free with military-exclusive pricing—and emphasizing convenience for military shoppers, including honorably discharged Veterans.
“ShopMyExchange.com is one of the Exchange’s many ways of serving those who serve worldwide,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “The site will continue to grow, with increased ease of use and more choices for the best customers in the world.”
ShopMyExchange.com is part of the Department of Defense retailer’s thriving benefits for Veterans. On Veterans Day 2017, the online shopping base expanded to include 18 million of honorably discharged Veterans. Since then, more than 770,000 Veterans have verified their eligibility to shop at ShopMyExchange.com, placing more than 1.1 million orders and saving $14 million in sales tax. Honorably discharged Veterans can verify their eligibility to shop my visiting ShopMyExchange.com/Vets.
Other features added during the past few years include ship-from-store, introduced in 2016. In September 2018, a buy online, pick up in store option was added, followed by curbside pickup in spring 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Later this year, 575,000 Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilian employees, who can now shop in person at their local exchanges, will have access to ShopMyExchange.com.
The site will continue to grow. Enhanced search capability, additional pickup options and increased merchandise assortment are planned, Osby said.
“That’s part of that major evolution we’ve been working toward for a while,” Osby said. “Industry and customer sentiment drive our future enhancements. Customers provide us feedback using our online survey and we translate that information to enhancements to the website.”
Facebook-friendly version: The Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s website just turned 25. Here’s how it’s grown—and what’s ahead. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-1Nc.
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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 53rd-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.1 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 or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Robert Philpot at 214-312-3831 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange