DeCA Vision Spring 2008 Vol. 17, No. 3 - Commissaries.com

items. Another concept involves
taking the pre-sold, on-site sale to
a new level and providing online
ordering for the sale, for delivery
to the military unit, similar to
what Charleston Commissary,
S.C., provides for downrange
embassies and service members
in remote locations.
• Customize the benefit to
better serve customers and
optimize use of surcharge
dollars.
A revitalized store format and
modular interiors with easily
movable reefers and shelving
would allow for changes in market
forces and customer expectations.
DeCA is exploring a concept
of operations for new deli and
bakery services, as well as a
modular interior concept. Major
construction project designs are
incorporating many features
to allow for greater flexibilities
“within the box.”
That doesn’t mean stores
have to wait for this concept to
take off to customize services
now. For example, New River
Commissary, N.C., opened in
2002 without a deli; it presented a
new, full-service deli in March to
the delight of its customers.
• Optimize store and
support operations with
process improvements and
technological advances.
One strategic objective is
to solve the vendor stocking
issue, which needs a concept
of operations with funding
32 decavision!Spring 2008
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implications and impacts, and an
implementation plan.
Another objective involves
transition to the Defense Enterprise
Business System, scheduled to be
fully operational by fiscal 2013.
A long-range objective
involves development of an
integrated store as a wireless,
digital facility, including a Webbased
facility and refrigeration
management system.
• Use Environmental
Management System to
increase effectiveness,
efficiency through
better management of
environmental issues.
Serving as a responsible
steward of natural resources,
DeCA continues researching,
developing and implementing
activities to meet not only
Defense Department mandates,
but also customer expectations.
Proactive projects launched
include reusable shopping bags,
with current sales of more than
a million bags; a “cash for trash”
program; and initiatives to reduce
energy use and solid waste.
Serving as the agency’s “poster
child” for energy efficiency,
Los Angeles Commissary,
Calif., became DeCA’s first “solar
commissary” in April, with
about 30 percent of the energy
used by the store’s refrigeration
systems powered by the sun. The
$840,000 project was funded
through the Department of
Defense Energy Conservation
Investment Program. DeCA plans
to seek more opportunities to
Strategic
Plan 101
use alternate sources of energy
at commissaries worldwide,
especially in areas with the
highest utility costs.
• Optimize the use of
surcharge dollars.
With surcharge buying power
declining, and construction and
fuel costs skyrocketing, strategies
for shifting to sustainment
projects rather than new
construction appear paramount.
Questions under study include:
What alternatives exist for
traditional brick-and-mortar
facilities, particularly for smaller
stores? Is a “50-year building”
strategy one we should continue?
Are there lessons we can learn
from Harrison Village
Commissary, Ind. — a facility
built by the community to keep
the commissary benefit in place
long after base closure — that
will help us reduce the cost of
building facilities?
This sweeping overview of
Goal 1 should provide you with
a summary of major initiatives
important to ensuring we
deliver a premier benefit to our
customers.�
Below, Los Angeles Commissary,
Calif. DeCA photo: Al Alferez