Wasp’s Ship Store Opens Doors Once Again WASP

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Sean Galbreath | 170823-N-SA412-035 NORFOLK (Aug. 23, 2017) Ship's Serviceman 3rd Class Jennifer White (right) hands Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Alexander Riehl his Navy cash card aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during the ship store's grand reopening. NEXCOM assisted Wasp in rebranding the ship's store to give the store an identity and connect it more with the Navy Exchange. Wasp is currently in preparation for their upcoming homeport shift to Sasebo, Japan where they are slated to relieve the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in the 7th fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Galbreath/Released)  

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

08.23.2017

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sean Galbreath 

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

NORFOLK – A recently-hung sign stating “Your Ship, Your Store,” sat in wait as Sailors gathered around the ship store aboard the USS Wasp (LHD 1) for a grand reopening on Aug. 23. New items added to the store’s inventory include a greater variety of caffeinated beverages, healthy snacks and even some top-notch electronics.

“The touches they added to the store are incredible,” said Airman Karl Frank, one of the customers at the reopening. “The store is much more welcoming with a larger variety of products; they even added wireless headphones.”

Navy Exchange Service Command employees visited the ship to assist Sailors in a reset of all merchandise. New signs were also hung for better branding to give the store an identity and connect it more with the Navy Exchange.

“They showed us different merchandising methods,” said ship store operator Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class Derrick Hilliard. “They explained how the placement of products can make items easier to find and more appealing to our customers.”

Furthermore, a heritage wall now hangs behind the cashiers paying homage to past and present ships that bear the name Wasp.

“The wall is a part Naval heritage, just like you see at the Navy Exchange,” said Gene Hoffman, a Branding and Merchandising employee from NEXCOM. “It highlights the Wasp motto of “Honor, Tradition, Excellence,” and showcases the history of the Wasp.”

Wasp is currently in preparation for their upcoming homeport shift to Sasebo, Japan where they are slated to relieve the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in the 7th fleet area of operations.

• Date Taken: 08.23.2017
• Date Posted: 08.23.2017 16:17
• Story ID: 245753
• Location: NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US