The article I found was titled “Retailer uses strategic PR to stay on top” from examiner.com on Jan 27th, 2009. This article is about how Batteries Plus is still successful as a retailer and other retailers like Circuit City, Office Depot, Macy’s, and Starbucks are having bankruptcies or store closings. Batteries Plus believes this is due to their Public Relations.
Batteries Plus is committed to recycling which is great Public Relations because many people are “Going Green” now because of our environment. They have recycled more than 191 tons of batteries at more than 348 locations. Batteries contain almost 90 percent of the mercury that we dispose in our landfills, so recycling batteries is obviously a good thing to help save our environment.
Along with the great PR that Batteries Plus offers they also have great customer service. If you bring your car to Batteries Plus they will check to make sure your battery is ready for the cold winter and also test the charging and starting systems of your car. This is a great example of going beyond what is needed of them because they could easily just test the battery real quick and send you on your way, but instead they test other key components that are vital to starting your car.
I really feel that Batteries Plus is doing a great job in their PR department. They have been able to keep their profits up during this recession. Some of the other retailers are probably cutting funding to their PR department to save money, but in reality it is probably costing them more money to cut the funding because of the increased sales they could have from good PR. On the flipside, I feel that Batteries Plus is unique because we use batteries in so many things throughout our daily lives that it would be hard to stop using them. We use batteries in hearing aids to all kinds of toys, fire detector, cars, etc. Starbucks for example is easier to quit going to during a recession because we can easily quit drinking a little coffee, but with batteries so vital to our everyday use it is way harder to quit using them, which is keeping Batteries Plus on top.
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It sounds like Batteries Plus knows how to relate to its customers. Besides them having a commodity we really need, they go above and beyond.
ReplyDeleteThe stores that are filing bankruptcy should re-think their marketing plans and pricing of their goods. Maybe lowering prices would help them stay in business. Look at Walmart, their prices are helping to keep them in business, even though they have had some bad pr in the past.
It's like going to an event where they sell a bottle of water for $2.00. We go to the water fountain! I wonder how much more water they would sell if they lowered their prices?
More than 191 tons of batteries recycled at more than 348 locations? That is a completely amazing and totally cool project that Batteries Plus undertook. In a time when the phrase “going green” was unheard of, Batteries Plus was taking steps to reduce what they deposit into our landfills.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your entire blog 110% percent. The PR department in any firm should be the last one that loses funding from the company. As you said, reducing the PR budget is directly related to a possible downturn in sales.
I believe that people go to places or purchase brands based on name recognition. If you see the name Batteries Plus all over the news for doing their recycling gig and see their commercials often, you’re more apt to go there than to Mike’s Discount Batteries.
Putting money into the PR budget is helping put money into a company’s bottom line. We should all remember that helpful little hint when convincing an employer to hire us and fund our department!
I to think that is wonderful that over 191 tons of batteries are recycled in 348 locations. That is truly a wonderful things for our world today.
ReplyDeleteI also feel that Batteries Plus and done a wonderful thing for their name. One they have build a great customer relationship showing that they care about their customers and that they are not only willing to help them but they are willing to help our environment as well.
I also think that in order for a company to be successful they have to be willing to spend money on PR. If you want to get your name our there and for people to see it a number of places you have to be willing to place the price as well. Also what you have you name out their for your customers to see you are than starting to build relationships not only with the business but others who might relate with the customers you have.
Also Mike I like what you stated about people purchasing brands they are familiar with. Once you have you name out there and your are making your cusomters happy it will be harder for them to go somewhere else where they are not sure what they would be getting themselves into.
I guess I have only heard about Batteries Plus on the radio and what not, never been there. But that was a lot of good information about how they're battling this recession.
ReplyDeleteAnd by doing things that are over and beyond their actual call of duty (ex. checking car batteries and all that goes with them) they more than likely have kept all those ties with those customers. And having that great PR department obviously has helped them out quite a bit as well.
Thanks for the information Mike. =)
lots of great points in your blog mike. i think it is great to know that this company is doing something to protect our environment and it's customers. this is a perfect example of a great use for public relations professionals. without the PR department, Batteries Plus may not be as successful as it is during this recession. very good point at the end of your blog. companies like starbucks and some website companies are easy to stop patronizing because of the fact that they are not a neccessary expendature. businesses like Batteries Plus are vital in keeping us running, especially in a time where we are trying to cutting our umbillical cord to oil. i have a feeling that companies like Batteries Plus are going to see a huge jump in revenue when people start switching to battery power.
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