Fall Signals Beginning Of Holiday Savings Events

FORT LEE, Va, September 24, 2012 – October represents the unofficial start of the holiday season for commissary customers who’ll be seeing store promotions, giveaways and more opportunities for discounts beyond their usual savings of 30 percent or more, said Chris Burns, the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of sales.

"Whether it’s celebrating Oktoberfest with friends or saluting friends and families from afar with a big, plump, roasted turkey, your commissary wants you to know we are here for you with extra savings and grand opportunities to enhance your commissary benefit," said Burns.

"In October, we also recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month," he added. "Several of our industry partners are offering special in-store events that will be easily recognizable: They’ll be pink!"

Throughout October, DeCA’s industry partners – vendors, suppliers and brokers – are collaborating with commissaries to offer discounts beyond everyday savings. Overseas stores may have substitute events for certain promotional programs. Customers should check with their local commissary for details on dates and times for the following promotions:

• Commissary Rewards Card. As of Sept. 24, more than 220 commissaries have deployed the Commissary Rewards Card, and it’s on track to be in all stores by early fall. The card lets authorized shoppers download digital coupons redeemable in commissaries. Customers should check with their local commissary to see if the card is available at their store.
• "Home for the Holidays." Dr. Pepper-Snapple is offering 20 families of four a fully funded trip home. Sixteen families in the United States will win a round-trip flight to anywhere within the United States, lodging for six days and five nights, and $1,000 cash for expenses. Four families overseas will win a round-trip flight to anywhere in the United States, lodging for six days and five nights, and $1,000 cash for expenses. Winners will have the opportunity to travel through March 2013. Check your local commissary beginning Oct. 11 for Dr. Pepper/Snapple and Mott’s displays for entry boxes. Customers who register their Commissary Rewards cards by Oct. 24 can also enter the "Home for the Holidays Sweepstakes." The sweepstakes entry form appears at the end of the registration process online.
• National Breast Cancer Foundation. On Oct. 14, P & G will be distributing high-value coupons on their name-brand products found in their Brandsaver coupon booklet. For every coupon redeemed, P&G will make a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to assist with early detection.
• "Pink for the Cure." From Sept. 27 to Oct. 24, General Mills will show its support for breast cancer awareness with high-value coupons on pink packaging on select General Mills brands.
• Oktoberfest! Continuing through mid-October, commissary customers will find sales and coupons for imported items from Germany and other European countries. A full line of German products will be available: chocolates, cookies, sauerkraut, mustard, red cabbage, pickles, noodles, coffee and more.
• "From the Bases, To the Races." Oct. 11-24, Scott, Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, Clorox and Bush’s products will offer commissary customers a chance to enter to win a grand prize package for two that includes airfare, hotel, race tickets and pit passes to the February 2013 Daytona 500 Nationwide and Nextel Cup races as well as a $300 Visa cash card for meals and incidentals. In addition, 100 autographed mini hoods will be awarded as first prizes. See NASCAR displays in stores for more details. Commissaries in European and Pacific markets will have an alternate non-racing themed program available.
• Thanksgiving holiday meal. Beginning Oct. 25, commissary customers will be able to purchase their complete Thanksgiving meal. A number of DeCA’s industry partners – Kraft Foods, ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Quaker Oats, Heinz, Fresh Express, Peppridge Farm, P&G, Nestle Water and Hefty/Reynolds Wrap – will provide shoppers in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) with a coupon booklet valued at more than $40. Shoppers in Europe, Puerto Rico, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba) and the Pacific will receive special eight-page coupon fliers valued at more than $32. The booklets will also include preparation tips and holiday recipes. These booklets and fliers will be handed out by industry partners as well as be available in customized holders. Supplies of both the booklets and fliers are limited.

"The Commissary Rewards Card adds another of many opportunities our customers will have beginning this fall to extend their benefit," Burns said. "The holidays are a busy period for us, so look for plenty of promotions and savings events in your commissary."