AAFES

El Paso, Texas -- Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss, the first-ever, open-air shopping center to be part of a United States military installation, announced that A'Gaci, O'shoes, and Texas Roadhouse will soon open at the retail destination. Comprised of more than 461,000 sq. ft. of gross leasable area, Freedom Crossing is one of the only shopping centers to be built in the United States in recent years, and the first opportunity for businesses to privately operate within an open-air center on a U.S. military installation

DALLAS — On orders of the U.S. Department of Defense, The Army and Air Force Exchange Service, will for the first time in its 116-year history, name a civilian to the role of CEO/director.

Until such a person is named, COO Mike Howard will take over as acting CEO/director as the organization’s board of directors seeks a permanent replacement. 

DALLAS — The Army & Air Force Exchange Service announced that it is offering several Black Friday deals for military members and their families.

Among the deals being offered are Sony 55" LCD TVs for just $899, HP Pavilion G6 Notebooks for $279, 50% off regularly priced ladies apparel from Izod, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and others as well as an Xbox 360 4GB gaming systems with built-in Wi-Fi console for just $99. Additionally, all Coach handbags (both in-store and online at shopmyexchange.com) will be 25%off from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sears Home Services has entered into agreements with three branches of the military to provide delivery and installation services for merchandise sold through their stores in the continental U.S.  After success with initial pilots, Sears began the nationwide launch on June 8,  at various Navy, Army, and Air Force Exchanges that sell home improvement services such as siding, windows, cabinet refacing, kitchen remodeling, roofing, carpet, and upholstery cleaning, air duct cleaning and garage door installation and repair.

DALLAS --  AT&T announced that it has partnered with LG for the launch of its first prepaid smartphone. The LG Thrive and LG Phoenix will join AT&T's GoPhone lineup on April 17. 

Both smartphones will be available for purchase nationwide at AT&T company-owned retail stores and in select national retail locations.

Both feature a 3.2 inch color full-touch display, Android 2.2 platform, Exchange email support, unlimited Wi-Fi usage on the entire national AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spot network and a 3.2-megapixel camera.

Vancouver, British Columbia -- Scala and 10net Managed Solutions announced Tuesday the installation of their digital-signage solution at the first HP Store in Canada. 

Located in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, The HP Store Vancouver features experience pods and an HP digital-signage display at the checkout consisting of three side-by-side 47-inch LCD HP LD4700 screens mounted on a curved wall and powered by an HP Z400 Workstation.

The largest retailer most people have never heard of — The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, or AAFES — has updated its store brand identity and design. The brand is now simply called the Exchange and has a new tagline, “You Save, We Give Back,” that conveys the organization’s competitive prices and mission to provide annual dividends to the Army’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Air Force Services programs.