BUSINESS: Batteries Plus Bulbs

At Batteries Plus Bulbs in Edmond, the staff isn’t there to just sell. They’re there to find a solution to customers’ problems.

“The rally cry we have in our store is: Solve the customer’s problem, and that doesn’t always mean we sell them a product,” said Brandon Boozer, who’s not a only self-proclaimed problem solver, but a professional one (Boozer’s business card reads “Chief Problem Solver,” after all).

The store at 1601 S. Broadway, which opened in 2010, specializes in batteries, bulbs and smart-phone/tablet repair and has a team of three associates and a manager who undergo rigorous annual trainings to keep up with quickly evolving technology. “I would put Batteries Plus Bulbs’ staff up against anyone as experts,” Boozer said. “Between the depth and the breadth of what we have in the store, the expertise to back it up and the pricing to make it work—we’re pretty much a one-stop shop.”

What most don’t know is Batteries Plus Bulbs’ is also a wholesale supplier with almost 700 stores nationally, allowing it to offer items such as AA batteries  and LED bulbs for less than wholesale clubs. “We’re one of Duracell’s biggest distributors and we also have our own private labels made in the USA,” Boozer said. “Availability is one of the big problems commercial customers have. Recently a customer said, ‘I need 200 batteries,’ and I said ‘No problem, I have 36,000 in stock. I think I can help you.’”

Batteries Plus Bulbs is open every day, offering customers helpful advice and expert solutions whenever they need it, so the customer gets exactly what they want and not just what they can find. The staff also puts an emphasis on community involvement. They responded to the devastating 2013 Moore tornado by giving flashlights and batteries to affected families, as well as every major school district and fire department in the metro area. In 2015, Batteries Plus Bulbs of OKC Metro was honored with the Community Development Leadership Award from the International Franchise Association.

Boozer said customers are blown away by the large amount and variety of product offered in what looks like a tiny shop. “People will say ‘What kind of batteries?’ and I’ll say ‘Yes!’ Or they’ll say ‘What kind of bulbs?’ and I’ll say ‘Yes!’ We cover all types of batteries, whether it’s a AA or a 3,000 pound forklift battery. With lighting, it could be energy efficient LED light bulbs, the bulb behind the button of an elevator, or it could be stadium lighting, you know? It’s always ‘Yes, we can help!’”

Learn more about Batteries Plus Bulbs at batteriesplus.com.