Commissary ready to serve with reset floor plan Published Aug. 22, 2012 By Karen Petitt 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In late July, the commissary went through a headquarters-directed floor reset that caused some confusion and several questions, but Sheila Bramlett, store director for the past two years, said the store is now better equipped to serve Scott AFB's needs. Bramlett, who's been with the Defense Commissary Agency for 13 years, said she was brought to the Midwest after having served in Guam specifically so changes could be made at this location and to address other internal concerns. "Tackling the store reset was just one of the challenges for all of us," she said. "It was necessary because Scott AFB was one of the few stores not aligned with how DeCA wants their commissaries to be presented. The biggest change was widening the isles and making room for an entire row of bulk items." She said that based on sales and customer feedback, items that can be bought in bulk are some of the biggest selling items in commissaries, and the reset allowed her to display and more of those bulk items. Soon after the store reopened though, several complaints were lodged about how low the inventory was for customers. She explained that during the reset, the store had to reduce its stock, and that it was fully stocked when it reopened, which happened to be on a pay day for not only active duty members, but for retirees, and the Reserve and Guard. "We had no control over what day we were to reopen, and we did more than $270,000 in sales that day ... but it did reduce our inventory obviously," said Bramlett. She explained that they receive between 3,500 and 5,000 cases of dry foods a day and they are stocking from 7pm-7am each day. While it did take a few days to return full inventory, that she said that was just one exception to how she ensures products and produce are available for everyone. "There are only two days where we don't receive inventory ... and that's Christmas Day and New Year's Day. We're in here every day making sure people have what they need," she said. She said another complaint she heard from customers was that they didn't know about the store reset. "What can I say to that?" she said. "I advertised, had slips of paper in everyone's grocery sacks, it was posted online and in the paper and on the marquees. I feel like we did everything we could to let people know what was going on. I've even tried hosting open houses, but no one showed up. My goal now is to just make sure everyone knows what we offer here, and how we can help meet their needs as we move forward. I want people to know that I will come to you to talk about the commissary and what we offer, as well. I work with the Airmen in the dorms and the spouse groups ... so I am here to help." Bramlett grew up in the grocery business--her parents owned a store and she often would help run it. She never thought she'd stay in this field but joined DeCA as a cashier and quickly earned promotions and rose through the ranks. As a widow of a 23-year veteran, she's adamant about spreading the word not only about the great employment opportunities that the commissary offers for military spouses, but the great benefit it is for all veterans. "When I see people in other commercial grocery stores, I always ask ... why are you shopping here and not your commissary? The feedback I get is usually about buying in bulk and convenience. Buying in bulk is something we're adding ... and as for convenience ... I just don't understand why anyone would want to pay 40 percent more off base. If you want something we don't have, please call or email me, and I will work with you!" She explained how all commissaries stock through various vendors who are on contract through DeCA. Each store has a certain capacity to hold a portion of those items. Scott's commissary is considered a large store and items are stocked based on how well it sells, because that's just one way they receive feedback on what customers want. "However, I will have some customers who want one particular item, and they're the only ones who buy it, so I work with them to have it available at our store, but it's not necessarily stocked on our shelves. So I just encourage people to let me know how we can meet your needs." Something else Bramlett has done for the Scott community is that she works with the vendors to provide food for families in need, for Airmen in the dorms and for other events as she's able. "I want to help give back to our Scott community, and last year we gave away $13,000 worth of food. This year we plan to surpass goal! We're able to do this based on everyone using their commissary. We don't make any money off the food and though there is a surcharge at the check out, that goes to pay for commissary facilities and energy use. We are able to work with our vendors to help take care of our own." If anyone has any questions or wants to provide additional feedback, she can be reached at Sheila.bramlett2@deca.mil or by calling 256-5711. 256-5711.