COMMISSARY FAST FACTS – ISSUE 200

BIANCHI REMAINS AT HELM OF COMMISSARY OPERATIONS

The Department of Defense announced July 2 that retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi will continue leading the Defense Commissary Agency as a special assistant for commissary operations. Virginia Penrod, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA), will concurrently serve as the DeCA director and CEO. Bianchi will report to her office. Both actions are effective July 1. Since Oct. 24, Bianchi has served as DeCA’s interim director and CEO as well as CEO of the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). Personnel policies did not permit an extension beyond the 240 days Bianchi had already served as interim director. In the position as special assistant for commissary operations, Bianchi continues leading the day-to-day management and control of DeCA’s business operations, while also continuing his NEXCOM responsibilities. Penrod said it’s important that the Department maintain the momentum achieved by Bianchi’s tenure as DeCA’s interim director at a time when the agency continues to evolve as it looks to improve the patron shopping experience by integrating business practices such as variable pricing and private label brands. Read the full article on the DeCA website, www.commissaries.com.

COMMISSARY BRANDS TOP LIST OF JULY’S SUMMER PROMOTIONS

Commissary brands will be among the hottest promotions in July for patrons looking to save even more money. Starting July 23, commissaries worldwide will begin a two-week sales event focusing on the commissary brands. The commissary brands promotions will feature some of the following products in the store front-end displays and the Wall of Value areas: trash bags of various sizes, disposable bowls, canned vegetables, pie crust, bottled waters, shredded cheeses, vegetable shortening and more. Stores will also promote several TopCare items on aisle endcaps including allergy tablets, vitamins, cold and flu products, heartburn relief and antacids. Read the full article for a complete list of July promotions.

‘YOUR EVERYDAY SAVINGS! (YES!) LOWERS PRICES ON POPULAR ITEMS

Commissary prices on hundreds of popular items are now even lower and easier to spot with the Defense Commissary Agency’s new “YES!” program. Short for “Your Everyday Savings!,” YES! items include popular brands of flavored iced teas, pasta, macaroni and cheese, Spam, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, baby food, nutritional shakes, potato chips and other selected snack foods, apple juice, vegetable juice, coffee creamer, coffee, energy drinks, soup, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, avocadoes, paper towels, toilet tissue, bottled water, dish soap, fabric softener and pet food. For more information on the program, go to the YES! web page under the “Shopping” link on www.commissaries.com.

Kevin L. Robinson

Public affairs specialist (media relations) Defense Commissary Agency Fort Lee VA 23801

Email: kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Phone: (804) 734-8000 ext. 4-8773

Website: www.commissaries.com

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