DALLAS -- Online shopping is more convenient than ever for warfighters and their families with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s buy online, pickup in-store service, said AAFES officials.
Military shoppers can buy items at ShopMyExchange.com and pick them up at their local Exchange. The program expanded to 135 locations in July, including Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edwards Air Force Base and Fort Irwin.
Shoppers are notified by email when their order is ready, and in-store signs indicate where customers can pick up their items. Those based in the continental United States also have the option to receive notifications via text message.
The Exchange has expanded the selection of eligible merchandise since the Department of Defense’s largest retailer rolled out the service in October -- 95% of the online assortment can now be picked up in stores, up from about 10% at launch.
“I love hearing that the Exchange is meeting the needs of the best customers in the world,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, Exchange senior enlisted adviser. “With this program, the Exchange conveniently does the shopping for our customers so warfighters can focus on the mission at hand.”
Shoppers living outside the United States are especially interested in the service, as bulk items they couldn’t purchase because of shipping size restrictions are now available. Said Shafik, systems librarian for Installation Management Command at Sembach Kaserne, Germany, recently wanted to purchase a shower curtain set and rod, grill, kitchen cookware sets and more that could not ship to his APO address. Instead, he had them shipped to the Kaiserslautern Military Community Exchange at Ramstein AB and picked them up.
“This is a great customer service,” Shafik said.
ShopMyExchange.com offers more than 2 million items and military-exclusive pricing -- tax free. All Exchange earnings, including those from online purchases, support warfighters and their families through military quality-of-life programs including Army Child Development Centers and fitness centers, Air Force Outdoor Recreation and more. All remaining earnings are reinvested in enhancing the customer shopping experience.