AAFES sales tabloids bring Travis shoppers great value Published Aug. 12, 2008 TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- According to a recent study, two-thirds of all Army and Air Force Exchange Service shoppers consult a sales tabloid prior to visiting the Base Exchange. As a result, a great deal of planning and strategizing is put into each weekly issue. The process of creating a weekly publication highlighting the value the exchange is known for, actually begins some nine months in advance. Dates, themes and recommended items are determined through a review of three years of promotional history. Upon completion of a "promotion calendar," AAFES buying staff sets out to determine the content of the tabloid. "We rely on the expertise of the buying staff to determine the hot, new items for each category and what the trends are for the upcoming seasons," said Pat Riordan, BX exchange manager. "More than 100 AAFES buyers attend markets and product shows year round to ensure they are in tune with the trends of their category." The items considered for the tabloid are those that have a mass appeal to military shoppers and will have demand at a particular point in time. The merchandise that ultimately makes the cut are those that are expected to have the greatest velocity and appeal to the most shoppers. Pricing of the items featured in the weekly tabloids also comes from the buying staff as they work with vendors to negotiate the most favorable terms possible. Buyers survey the competition not only to validate AAFES prices but to ensure that the BX has the best price possible for military families. The value and savings offered in the tabloids is not found only in hard copies that come in the mail or are picked up in stores. Exchange shoppers can also check out the latest tabloid or get an early jump on their shopping with a sneak peek at the upcoming week's edition online at http://odin.aafes.com/thisweek/default.asp.