McDonnell military commission meeting on JFCOM
Newport Daily News Press
Gov. Bob McDonnell has filled out his new military commission, which will meet next week to discuss the proposed closing of Joint Forces Command in Norfolk.More

The Muppets' military mission
The Wall Street Journal
It's a Muppet family picnic in the park, but Elmo is sad and confused: His Uncle Jack won't be there, because he's dead, and Elmo can't quite grasp that he's never coming back. For Elmo's moptop cousin Jesse, it's hard to even talk about the loss: Jack was her dad.More

KTHXBAI: Pentagon's first social media guru moves on
Wired
Price Floyd, the Defense Department's first-ever chief of social media, is leaving the Pentagon next week. The meaning of the prolific tweeter's departure is hard to summarize in a mere 140 characters. More

Coupon clippers flocking to online deals
Media Post
The majority of U.S. coupon users — 54 percent — now get their fill of deals online, according to a new report by ICOM, a division of direct marketing agency Epsilon. More

Deli Express contributes over $250,000 to military program
Fare Magazine
Deli Express, a leading suppliers of hot and cold sandwiches, has announced that after making its 2010 second-quarter donation of $50,745, it has surpassed $250,000 in total donations to the National Military Family Association, an organization dedicated to serving family members of military service members.More

More organics ending up in the basket
Progressive Grocer
Organic foods are making a larger impact in consumers' shopping choices in 2010, according to the results of Whole Foods Market's annual Food Shopping Trends Tracker survey, conducted online in June by Harris Interactive.More

The price isn't right
The Wall Street Journal
Everyone knows that companies have rock-bottom prices they're willing to offer in emergencies. Think goods and services whose value is about to expire: hotel dates, plane tickets, last season's fashions, packaged food. But until recently, not many people knew what those prices were. Keeping them under wraps is a key part of how companies maintain pricing power.More

Outsourcing is in
Supermarket News
While food retailers and their suppliers have been resilient in the weak economy, one would be hard-pressed to say they have thrived.More

Private label: Value vintages
Supermarket News
Along with making a statement in the spirits category, private label is getting more attention in the wine department. One of the latest trends is growing retailer interest in "extreme-value," or bargain-priced premium wine. More

Target continues grocery revamp
Fare
Target is continuing its city-by-city remodeling of stores with a focus on expanded grocery sections — this time around home turf of Minneapolis, where it's already the No. 2 food seller.More

Electronic mirrors sell lipstick and a makeover
The Wall Street Journal
Cosmetics aisles in supermarkets and drugstores are adding electronic makeover specialists with the help of an Israeli start-up. Retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., France's Carrefour SA and Superdrug Stores PLC in Britain are testing EZface Inc.'s "virtual mirrors" in their stores to simulate what makeup and hair dye would look like on shoppers.More

ALA Commissary Council — August 2010
ALA
The ALA Board has established formal procedures for ALA Councils. At the National Convention each year the commissary council is reorganized. This year under the new procedures there will be six members departing and six new members added.

A new Council Chair will be appointed by the Board. If you are interested in being considered for membership on the main Commissary Council, click here to read the procedures and submit your nomination to the existing council chair, David McMurtry, dave.mcmurtry@kraft.com. Deadline for submission is Sept. 11.More

Report: Small uptick in August sales
Chain Store Age
A report released Wednesday by MasterCard Advisors found that, in August, sales in most categories recorded a slight year-over-year uptick compared to the year-over-year performance of July.More

Strategies for retailers to maximize 2010 holiday season sales
Chain Store Age
Retailers are wondering what the 2010 holiday season will bring. Will consumers be ready to shop after two years of economic turmoil? Will there be a repeat of 2009's last-minute uptick in traffic? Will online sales continue to rise?More

Consumers reduce number of shopping trips
NACS Online
SymphonyIRI Group has released a new Times & Trends report, "The New Path to Purchase: An Escalation of Channel & Consumption Migration," that reveals consumers are cutting back on the number of stores that they visit and spending less per trip.More

Restaurant traffic to slow over next decade
Fare Magazine
It appears the aging of the U.S. population will affect restaurant industry growth. Visits to U.S. restaurants are forecasted to grow less than 1 percent per year in the next 10 years — slower than the 1.1 percent per year growth of the country's population.More

Discounters gain in August
Retailing Today
Discount retailers posted solid gains for August, helped by aggressive discounting as consumers continue to seek out bargains. Tax-free holidays in nearly 20 states also helped attract customers. Analysts also said the warmest August in more than a quarter of a century helped spur sales of late lingering summer clothing inventory.More

Convenience stores call for suspension of 58 percent cigarette tax hike
NACS Online
The New York Association of Convenience Stores yesterday asked Governor Paterson to issue an executive order suspending the 58 percent tax hike on cigarettes that took effect July 1, in fairness to long-suffering retailers whom state and federal courts have now deprived of the "other side of the bargain" — the promised level playing field starting September 1.More

Stuck in stability
CSP
Around the country, wholesale-retail gasoline lag time currently implies retail margin down pressure in more than half the markets, up pressure in a few, and stability in the rest. Up pressure is not regional.More

New retail concept set to debut
Chain Store News
Max & Jill, a new off-price fashion and home department store concept, will open its first location in Whitehall, Pa. According to a company release: "In these unstable economic times, we offer consumers the most affordable prices for the latest fashion."More

Exchange update on track for Sept. 17 opening
AAFES
Just 83 days after the first construction crew entered what was then known to as the "BX," associates are readying for a "brand opening" celebration at what will soon be the new Tinker "Exchange." This event will coincide with the Air Force birthday and the Air Force Falcons meeting up with the Oklahoma University (OU) Sooners, nearby in Norman, Okla.More

Rear Admiral Select Glenn Robillard selected as second guest speaker

The Hampton Roads ALA is pleased to announce the new Commander & CEO of the Navy Exchange Command (NEXCOM), Rear Admiral Select Glenn Robillard will be the second Guest Speaker in Virginia Beach on Dec. 15.

Admiral Robillard will join the Commander & CEO of the Army & Air Force Exchanges (AAFES), Major General Casella at the 11th Annual HRALA Benefit Luncheon being held at the Virginia Beach Sheraton to raise money for the AREA, NEREA, and HRALA Scholarship Programs.

Several sponsorships are still available by contacting belkovc@wattspohn.com.More

Hampton Roads ALA Benefit Luncheon for AREA & NEREA

Date: December 15
Time: Noon to 3 p.m., ET
Location: Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel, 36th & Atlantic Avenue

Payment: Remit $40 to Hampton Roads ALA
c/o Paul Wehner
MDV Nash Finch
PO Box 29
Norfolk, VA 23501

*Be sure to include your full name, company name, and e-mail address
Note: Admission is $25 for Resale

Companies interested in sponsoring the luncheon are encouraged to contact Cory Belkov, HRALA at belkovc@wattspohn.com or call 757-831-8208.

All sponsor proceeds will be divided equally: 1/3 to NEREA; 1/3 to AREA; and 1/3 to HRALA Scholarship Funds.More

Camp allows kids of war victims to express loss
Army Times
The small children of fallen soldiers and Marines covered James Gobble, laughing as he pushed his way off the floor and gently tossed them off his back.More

Schwartz outlines possible future changes
Air Force Times
The Air Force's top uniformed official believes big changes are on the way for the service in coming decades. A review of Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz's comments to Military Times newspapers and before congressional hearings show a need to decrease budgetary purchasing power, expand personnel costs, shift to modern warfare and transition to new fighters, bombers, tankers and other aircraft.More