Battery Retailer Moves
A hipper, more tech-savvy version of Interstate Batteries’ retail battery stores is now open in Tulsa.
A first-of-its-kind Interstate All Battery Power Center opened last week at 8007 E. 61st St. in Copper Mountain Shopping Center. The store replaces the former Interstate All Battery Center operating at 7102 S. Memorial Drive since 2001.
“Over the past couple of years, we’ve gotten more into the high-tech gadget business,” said Ken Chapin, senior marketing manager for Interstate All Battery Center, a division of Dallas-based Interstate Batteries.
To reflect the new philosophy, company-owned stores have been renovated to project a more user-friendly atmosphere directed at a younger demographic and more female shoppers.
“The new design is more upscale and contemporary,” Chapin said, citing the change from store interiors that resembled auto parts retailers.
In Tulsa, though, “We had the opportunity to move into a new location,” he said.
The 3,500-square-foot store also is a test market for several new or enhanced services, including a separate entry and offering of services for commercial customers, a kids’ zone and a rapid-service bay for installing car batteries in a guaranteed 15 minutes.
Store manager Chad Knight says the updated retail location has wood flooring, leather couches, a 42-inch flat-screen TV, and a coffee and latte machine. Customers can search for items by using a big-screen TV kiosk, and shop for personal electronic gadgets such as iPod accessories, MP3 players, GPS devices and radios that no other Interstate Battery location
has.
“We’re selling almost anything and everything,” Knight said.
A grand opening begins Friday, and through Sunday visitors will find refreshments and chances to win prizes including a 26-inch LCD-HDTV, free batteries for a year and free personal gadgets.
“With more than 13,000 types of batteries and powered devices available, we’ll serve Tulsa better than ever before,” Chapin said. “From a fully interactive smaller Power Center for kids to building a battery-install car bay as part of the storefront, this new concept will have something everyone can enjoy.”
With the demand for batteries soaring, the company announced last month that it is recruiting franchisees to open more stores, he said.
Retail stores sell more than 15 million batteries a year for battery- dependent consumers who need them for cell phones and laptops, power tools and camcorders, flashlights, hearing aids, handheld games and calculators.
Interstate Batteries, founded in 1952, is a privately held group of corporations that includes a company with 305 distributors. More than 200,000 retail locations operate throughout the United States and Canada, and in select international locations.
According to its Web site, the $650 million company was voted the 2007 U.S. Automotive Technicians’ Choice Award for best batteries.
Interstate All Battery Center
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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