How Batteries Plus Bulbs Is Winning Locally in an Online World

Consumers these days can find just about any thing online, but chances are they won’t be able to get the fast, top-notch expertise and insight that a brand such as Batteries Plus Bulbs can provide. 

Batteries Plus Bulbs, the nation’s leading omnichannel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for both direct-to-consumer and commercial applications, demonstrates just how well a brick-and-mortar business can perform in the age of e-commerce. 

Here are just three ways in which Batteries Plus Bulbs stays relevant and dominates in an increasingly digital world. 

Local inventory for same-day convenience, without the arm-and-a-leg delivery fees

Consumers who just want to get their devices repaired often face major hurdles from their providers, such as long waits both on the phone and in lines. 

Batteries Plus Bulbs is eager to provide its customers with whatever support they need when they need it—and what’s more, Batteries Plus Bulbs is eager to do so face-to-face. When customers visit Batteries Plus Bulbs, they find a sales staff well-trained on the latest industry trends and newest devices, plus a wide-ranging selection of batteries, bulbs, smart devices and more. When it comes to selection, not only is the inventory at a Batteries Plus Bulbs’ brick-and-mortar store tailored to the needs of its surrounding community, but the brand also has an extensive online inventory. Customers can also order items online and pick them up quickly at their local store. By keeping a local presence characterized by engaged customer service, Batteries Plus Bulbs can ensure it helps customers get their lives up and going the same day, fuss-free.

“We live in a world where we rely so much on battery power, and when battery power runs out, it’s a truly huge inconvenience we want to rectify immediately,” Batteries Plus Bulbs Vice President of Category Management Shawn Budiac said. “Batteries Plus Bulbs has the local inventory at the time customers need it with in-store expertise to make sure they leave our doors with their problem fixed. What’s more is that customers do not need to pay expedited shipping fees. They get the convenience without the added cost.” 

The market research and system strength to stay on top of industry trends 

Batteries Plus Bulbs keeps abreast of emerging products and industry trends, which helps franchisees ensure they are stocking up their shelves with the best and most timely technology. 

“With the power of more than 730 stores, we are constantly able to analyze data and ensure we have the latest and greatest inventory we need in our stores for our customers,” Budiac said. “We identify, for example, when a new mobile hotspot battery is available that will have a high consumer demand. We communicate that information out to the field so our franchisees can stock up and have that immediate availability.” 

Batteries Plus Bulbs also offers proprietary products. 

“We provide our customers with exclusive access to our private brand products, like X2 and Duracell Ultra, that offer premium performance and unbeatable quality and fantastic warranties,” Batteries Plus Bulbs Vice President of Franchise Development & Project Management and Chief Strategy Officer Jon Sica said. “This really helps us in the age of e-commerce and insulates us from the competition out there in the market, because people can’t find our products anywhere else.” 

Batteries Plus Bulbs franchisee Mary Pelach has been with the brand for 25 years and owns and operates four stores: one in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and the other three in Omaha, Nebraska. Pelach noted that customers are grateful for the many products and resources the brand provides, not to mention the employee expertise. Batteries Plus Bulbs, for example, offers a proprietary online university called EmpowerYOU, through which employees can receive micro-degrees and certifications on batteries, device repair, recycling and more. 

“We consistently hear from customers that the people working in our stores actually know our product line,” Pelach said. “Our store employees answer questions for customers and provide the kind of personal service you just cannot find online. “You can go out and find products that are available for sale, but can you find someone who can actually change the battery in your cell phone or vehicle?” 

Pelach praised the Batteries Plus Bulbs leadership team for their progressive thinking and for the many resources they provide franchisees. 

“They look at customer trends and identify the latest and greatest products in the market,” she said. “They’re very good at studying the markets to see what’s new and what’s on the horizon and whether we can sell that to our customers. Batteries Plus Bulbs has always been cutting edge like that.” 

A plugged-in approach to daily and seasonal needs 

Batteries Plus Bulbs franchisees are very much in tune with the communities they serve and are directly involved in their day-to-day needs. For these reasons, the brand’s franchisees can often anticipate what their customers will need and when they will need it. The brand’s stores also keep extended hours and are open on weekends, which greatly helps with emergencies that require immediate attention. Furthermore, Batteries Plus Bulbs leverages seasonal pushes for specific inventory in different parts of the country, Budiac said. 

“We believe in stocking up in anticipation of events rather than having to react to events. This ensures we get the product ahead of need and in time,” Budiac said. “We make sure our locations have all of the tools they need in order to be ready to go. For example, in the northern part of the country throughout the months of December, January and February, the brand makes sure its stores always have car batteries on hand in preparation for cold spells. When Hurricane Dorian hit the east coast earlier this year, there were various programs in place to get our franchisees inventory as fast as possible.” 

By staying on top of industry trends and investing in the training and education of its employees, Batteries Plus Bulbs proves that, while e-commerce has its conveniences, the brand’s  immediate, friendly and expert in-person service just can’t be beat. 

The startup costs for a Batteries Plus Bulbs franchise range from $189,250 to $366,350. The franchise fee is $37,500. To learn more about franchising with Batteries Plus Bulbs, visit https://batteriesplusfranchise.com/.