SAN ANTONIO – Businesses large and small are growing their brands while making life better for Soldiers Airmen, Guardians and their families with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, the Department of Defense’s largest retailer.
“Businesses can grow with the Exchange, and together, we strengthen military communities,” Exchange Chief Operating Officer Jason Rosenberg told attendees at the Association of Defense Communities Installation Innovation Forum in San Antonio on Nov. 1.
Rosenberg and the Exchange’s Senior Vice President for Real Estate retired Air Force Col. Mike Smietana spoke at the Innovation Forum’s Reinvigorating Installation MWR breakout session, encouraging businesses—from name brands to start-ups— to join the Exchange’s ranks.
The Exchange is a launch pad for businesses of all sizes, including mall kiosks, micromarkets, storefronts like Grunt Style at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and food trucks—even a surf shop in Hawaii. Trending name-brand restaurants, like Slim Chickens, Qdoba and Hunt Brother Pizza, have grown because of their partnerships with the Exchange.
For example, Rosenberg said, the Exchange opened its first Hunt Brothers at Fort Hood’s III Corps Express in 2013. Since then, the brand has grown to more than 60 Exchange locations, with sales tracking to exceed $20 million in sales in 2021.
“This success demonstrates the power of what’s on the installation in terms of revenue and the opportunity the Exchange provides,” he said.
The Exchange is a partner in installation readiness and resiliency and fully nested with installation commands. In the last 10 years, the Exchange benefit has provided $3.4 billion in earnings for critical military Quality-of-Life programs such as outfitting 700,000 Warfighters at cost annually, providing school meal support for Department of Defense Education Activity facilities overseas and delivering needed services to locations impacted by natural disasters.
The Exchange, with a customer base of 33.5 million shoppers, operates in all 50 states and more than 30 countries, with more 3,600 mall stores, kiosks, wellness and personal services worldwide.
The Exchange supports multiple business models and offers businesses of all sizes unique opportunities to serve those who serve including:
• Opportunities for Veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses.
• Proven environment for testing new products.
• Flexible leases and fees.
• Welcoming culture for entrepreneurs.
“We are always looking for partners and diversity,” Rosenberg said.
Retail wholesale businesses, long- and short-term concessions, personal services, vending and restaurant providers can find out more by visiting ShopMyExchange.com and clicking the “Doing Business with the Exchange” link under “About the Exchange” at the bottom of the page.
Facebook-friendly version: Own a business? Consider partnering with the @shopmyexchange to strength the military communities. Here’s how—and why—you should. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-1TD.
-- 30 --
Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians 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 54th-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $3.4 billion in earnings for critical military Quality-of-Life programs. 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.
###
Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or mitchelljul@aafes.com.
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange
Date Taken: | 11.10.2021 |
Date Posted: | 11.10.2021 12:33 |
Story ID: | 409115 |
Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
Web Views: | 115 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Own a Business? The Army & Air Force Exchange Service Wants You!, by Julie Mitchell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.