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JBSA News
NEWS | Aug. 8, 2008

Commissary remodeled for better customer service

By Reggie Thompson 37th Training Wing Public Affairs

The Lackland commissary is currently making several changes to improve its service and convenience for customers. The alterations include expansions to its existing building and reorganization of the display areas, shelving and stocking procedures.

According to store director Mike Mena, these changes will significantly alter the appearance of the store. The main modification used to change the installation's design is the commissary reset, a reorganization of floor space that will allow for more efficiency and prominent display of goods. The reset also includes some physical alterations to the building.

"Right now, they're redoing the front of our display area," said Mr. Mena.

He added that a principal aspect of these modifications is the addition of a distinctive form of displaying merchandise.

"There's going to be a center aisle for a pallet drop," he said. "This is similar to what local stores presently use in their floor plan, which is a new way of displaying merchandise more effectively."

According to Mr. Mena, the upgraded floor plan is based on a new design that the Defense Commissary Agency, the commissary's parent company, employs nationwide throughout its branches. These changes will allow the commissary to better serve its target customers, as approximately 65 percent of its shoppers are retirees. He said that the store displays and prominently displayed products presently target a younger demographic.

For Mr. Mena, the reset will help accomplish this goal, as it will allow for more efficient restocking practices.

"This will help us keep the shelves full throughout the busy days of the month," he said. "We'll be able to allocate more items on the shelves that are fast-moving."

This process will reduce the amount of restocking during the day that could inconvenience customers.
Other changes to the store include a $2.4 million renovation project that will strengthen the flooring, add new tiling, refurbish the bathrooms and improve handicap access. Modern shopping carts are a new addition that has received positive feedback from customers.

"It's been a big hit for our customers," said Mr. Mena. "It's reduced dramatically the incidences of damage to customers' cars."

The commissary reset will begin on Sept. 14 when the store will close two hours early for employees to start reorganizing the floor plan.

"It's a long process and it's going to be a 24-hour operation starting [Sept. 14] at closing time," said store administrator Joe Cheney.

The reset will continue over the next two days and the commissary will reopen for normally scheduled hours on Sept. 17, a date that store administrators have designated as Patron Appreciation Day.

"We've got many prizes and giveaways for our customers for their patience and understanding for the store being closed," said Mr. Mena.

Items being given away or sold at discounted prices include washing machines, dryers, bicycles, basketball hoops and commissary certificate checks.

The commissary will also hold a case lot sale from Sept. 26 to 28 in front of the store.