Active members of the military are often separated from their families and put in harm’s way. One small gesture of gratitude for their sacrifices is offered at the exchanges and commissaries owned and operated by the government. These on-base department and grocery stores, which are only open to holders of a military ID card, sell items “at cost” — and they don’t charge state or local sales tax.

Now the perk of tax-free shopping is being extended to honorably discharged veterans of all branches of service. Starting November 11, 2017 (Veterans Day), they’ll be able to purchase taxable goods tax-free from the online Army & Air Force Exchange. Most will still not be able to shop at physical stores on base (only certain veterans enjoy that privilege).

This is part of a larger strategic plan to boost Exchange sales, which have dropped from $10.3 billion in 2011 to $8.3 billion in 2016. One reason for the decline is the fact that there are now fewer active-duty Army and Air Force soldiers. Opening up the online Exchange to honorably discharged veterans could bring in up to $200 million annually by 2020.

Another part of the strategy (this is the military, after all) to boost Exchange sales is to match the convenience of Amazon. Like so many consumers, military shoppers are succumbing to the ease and affordability of Amazon and other etailers. The more they shop at Amazon, the less they buy from the Exchange.