For the first time in its history, private label items will be found in your military commissary.
Commissary shoppers know (and often complain) that generic products aren’t available at the commissary.
If you want ketchup, you buy Heinz.
If you want oatmeal, you buy Quaker Oats.
If you want cola, you buy Coca-Cola or Pepsi.
The same quality for a lower price product often referred to as a generic brand, like the Best Value brand found at Walmart stores or the Market Pantry brand in Target stores, isn’t an option at your commissary. There isn’t a store brand for DeCA.
Soon that will change.
The Defense Commissary Agency selected MDV SpartanNash LLC to be its first private label supplier.
“We are excited that DeCA has selected us to support this important initiative, and to provide commissaries with private label products for the first time in their history,” said Dennis Eidson, SpartanNash CEO and Chairman of the Board in a press release.
“This partnership will provide military families with quality options and the opportunity to stretch their food budget. Many of our active duty and veterans are on a limited income, and their military benefit provides savings which are key to meeting their families’ food and household needs. Patriotism is one of our core values, and we are extremely proud to serve our nation’s service members, their families, and military partners around the world,” Eidson said in the press release.
Starting in May, commissary shoppers will see private label items on the shelves in their stores. DeCA officials said the plan is to introduce an initial assortment of 400 items in commissaries worldwide in May 2017. The amount of private label products will be gradually increased with the goal of 1,000 available at commissaries by the end of 2017.
DeCA’s director and CEO Joseph H. Jeu said he is excited to bring private label products to military families.
“They are smart, savvy shoppers who know that private label products are cost-effective alternatives to national brands. We’re excited to help them save more at our commissaries,” he said in a press release.
DeCA reported that 60% of commissary patrons said they would be interested in a DeCA private label.
“Our customers have been asking for private label for a long time,” Jeu said.
Customers aren’t the only ones asking for private label products. Congress had a hand in this decision too.
The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) nudged DeCA to explore the option of private label products. DeCA has been researching ways to keep the commissaries open with less federal funding. The private label brand is only option out of many that DeCA is exploring in the next year.
As a retired service member, I plan on shopping more at the commissary and am glad that generic products will be offered. This will save me more on groceries.
In stores like Kroger that have store brands they have store coupons for additional savings on their own products. With name brands coupons are very common and can really save money. If DECA has their own store brands they will be more expensive than other store brands unless they have promotional coupons or offers. With the rules DECA operates under that is not allowed so I don’t foresee a really great savings.
Don’t like
We are excited about this feature for private labels. Since 1968, I have been a Navy wife and always shop at the commissary. There are truly so many offers in others places that it is sometimes very hard to not partake. I believe in strongly supporting our commissaries, because that is one privilege that my husband and I hope to keep.
Wonderful, there are many times I have found better deals on the outside, usually purchasing generics/store brands. Consumer Reports and other individual testing organization have found little difference in quality/ taste .between generics and brand name.
A boost to the lower ranks.
That will be nice but I don’t want to see some of the other items disappear because of a lack of shelf space. I was disappointed to see that my commissary stopped carrying the miracle whip with olive oil.
The “Private Brand” strategy has been used in the past. I recently finished a container of garlic powder. That container had no brand label – it was just garlic powder. I don’t remember buying this item but it had to have been 25 years ago.
I used to think such items were military purchases and thought nothing of the lack of a label; heck, it was still garlic powder or coffee or whatever was put on the shelves.
Go for it! Give the young military families of today a break.
I go to the commissary to get name brands at the same price as store brands locally in my area. If they start using store brands in the commissary will we lose our price savings on the name brands?
I will gladly purchase private label products at commissary.
I will purchase private label products at commissary.
Instead of having their own private brand, how about expanding the selection for the food allergies? The only “diary” options for those with milk allergies is soy milk, coconut milk, and nut milks, and butter. We would like cheese, yogurt and sour cream that meets our needs of being milk free.
Also, there is very little wheat and soy free options for frozen foods. I rather do all my food shopping at the commissary rather than go to 3-4 different stores to do so.
I would try private label brands with the hope they would be as good as the well known brands. Food Lion and Farm Fresh have there own brands that are in some cases as good as the known brands. I would hope that this company provides items that are as good or better than the major brands and that the major brands aren’t forced off the shelves to make space.
Yes, I would definitely be interested in private label items. Brand name products at the commissary are even less costly with coupons, but coupons have gotten harder to find in the last few years. Private label items would be very competitive, price-wise.
Yes I would buy Private Label Brands. It would be nice to have a choice. Most of the time I purchase Private Label Brands, but at times Name Brand products. Great ideal.
Like the idea of other than brand name choices. Often find can find better deals at local stores that offer non brand name quality products
Some private labels brands are okay, but I appreciate the fact that we can buy name brands at a discounted price…..I see no need for generic ones.
I think it’s great that the commissary will be offering private labels for all patrons to consider.. I am an 85 yr old senior citizen and know that it will really help me financially.!!!
That sounds so nice but will the military exchanges like NEX, The Coast Guard Exchange, The Exchange and The Marine Corp Exchange start complaining because it will infringe apon their business and create competition. At The Exchange store and The Exchange Mini-Mart I already buy their generic products like Patriot’s Choice snack items and Exchange Select for cleaning and paper products. People will continue to buy those things because The Exchange also, does not have the surcharge that the commissary always has. I will have to see the savings with these new generic commissary products before I consider them for future purchase.
Yes. about time. maybe we all could save some money !!
As long as they do not result in an overall increase in commissary prices. I do not shop at Walmart for Grwat Value products now because the commissary is cheaper overall. If this will just end up making the commissary Walmart I am not in favor.