VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- An independent survey conducted for the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) in July showed customers save even more money than before when shopping at their Navy Exchange (NEX).

According to the survey conducted by QRS Corporation, customers save a record 21.2 percent when shopping at NEX. When sales tax savings are factored in, customers save an overall average of 25.8 percent. This figure tops the before-tax savings of 20.6 percent QRS Corporation determined customers saved on the study conducted in February 2004.

"On two recent surveys, customers have rated their satisfaction with Navy Exchanges extremely high," said Rear Adm. Robert E. Cowley III, commander, NEXCOM. "First, this independent survey shows our customers save 21.2 percent on purchases made in the Navy Exchange. In addition, the most recent Defense Manpower Data Center Status of Forces survey indicates active-duty Sailors are significantly more satisfied with the Navy Exchange than their active-duty counterparts are with their respective service exchanges. Both these surveys indicate that we continue to enhance the quality of life for our Navy Family."

The savings didn't surprise Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Robert Rubano, a customer at NEX Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va.

"You just can't beat the prices here," said the 26-year-old Rubano, who just completed his first year in the Navy. "I'm a savvy shopper who doesn't make a lot of money, so we look for the best prices we can find."

To determine the savings amount, QRS Corporation compared the prices on a variety of products in eight regions throughout the United States. The savings found in each region were Bethesda, Md., at 21.8 percent; Everett, Wash., at 20.4 percent; Great Lakes, Ill., at 18.6 percent; Jacksonville, Fla., at 21.2 percent; Norfolk, Va., at 20.8 percent; Pearl Harbor at 24 percent; Pensacola, Fla., at 18.9 percent; and San Diego at 23 percent.

The same items were surveyed from region to region and included items such as major appliances, consumer electronics, furniture, clothing, housewares, sporting goods, jewelry, and lawn and garden. Navy Exchange prices on more than 350 items were compared to those of major retailers, like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Circuit City, Target, Home Depot, Dillards, Sears, Eckerd, Barnes and Noble, and Office Max.

In each of the 34 different departments shopped throughout the store, Navy Exchange saved customers money. In boys clothing, the savings are 33.4 percent; in girls clothing, the savings are 30.7 percent; in hardware, the savings are 28.3 percent; in ladies, the savings are 29 percent; in men's clothing, the savings are 33 percent, in sporting goods, the savings are 24 percent; and in electrical appliances, the savings are 16 percent.

Rubano, who is in the final days of aircraft avionics school before joining the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower (CVN 69), said he really liked the NEX price matching policy.

"We buy everything here,” Rubano said. “My wife is three months pregnant with our first child, and we've already bought almost everything we need, including the crib, all at the Navy Exchange. I even eat lunch here in the food court every day."

According to Cowley, the mission of the Navy Exchange is to provide customers with quality goods and services at a savings, and to support quality of life programs.

"We're doing a great job at fulfilling that mission," said Cowley. "However, we will continue to work even harder to increase the savings our customers receive. Any money we can save them is putting more money in their pockets to spend on other things. That's important to us."

For related news, visit the Navy Exchange Service Command Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/nexcom.