Oklahoma's niche businesses concentrating on value
Shops specialty vendors of light bulbs, batteries say commerce is up
April 02 , 2009
By Jennifer Palmer

Common household items such as batteries and light bulbs can be purchased at nearly any big-box store, but specialty shops are growing by focusing on value.

At shops such as Batteries Plus, which stocks more than 1,000 types of batteries at three Oklahoma locations, and Light Bulb Supply, at 629 N Hefner Road, where one can find more than 2,500 kinds of light bulbs, operators say business is up.
"In a down economy, people aren't necessarily looking for the cheapest thing. They're looking for the best value," said Brandon Boozer, vice president of Oklahoma's Batteries Plus stores.

Providing durability
Though the shop does have low prices (such as $2.99 for a 4-pack of Rayovac C batteries) it also carries products that are more durable, such as the X2 motorcycle batteries, which carry a two-year warranty.

Keith Kennedy, owner of Light Bulb Supply, said the 130-watt light bulbs he carries last longer than what you can buy at a big-box store.

They also have variety, from compact fluorescent to LED to miniature or any other type of light bulb imaginable. "We carved out a niche," Kennedy said. "We have taken care of those people with customer service and a quality product."

Light Bulb Supply has been in business since 1979; 2008 was a good year and 2009 is exceeding last year's sales, Kennedy said.

It helps that light bulbs are essentially recession-proof.

"Everybody has to have light bulbs. Nobody's burning oil or candles (anymore)," Kennedy said.

Batteries, too, may be even more popular in a down economy as people hang onto their cars and electronics longer, said Marietta Dennis, owner of Oklahoma's Batteries Plus stores. The company predicts a 20 percent increase in sales this year.

Driving economy
Matt Robison, The State Chamber's vice president for small business and work force development, said small businesses such as these drive Oklahoma's economy.
"Seventy-five percent of all businesses in Oklahoma have 10 or fewer employees. That says something about the impact these niche businesses have," Robison said.