“The economy is brutal, but their business booms”

That was the headline – And, Interstate Batteries is listed as one of those businesses that’s booming. Below is an excerpt of the story on the USA Today site.

Getting a charge

Dallas-based Interstate Batteries, with 125 retail stores nationwide, seems to have little in common with Bathroom Magic. But Interstate is benefiting from the same do-it-yourself, cost-cutting fever sweeping consumers.

The 56-year-old, private company sells batteries not only for cars and trucks, but also for power tools, hearing aids, cellphones, cameras, laptop computers, toys and other devices. Interstate’s retail stores, called All Battery Centers, sell batteries that people can install on their own, or customers can pay to have them installed.

“October and December were the best months for revenues and profits in our company’s history,” says Mickey Elam, vice president at Interstate Batteries.

The company opened 43 new stores last year. It now has 125 stores in 41 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Elam says sales in October, November and December combined were up 12% year-over-year.

In December, Interstate began airing ads on cable TV featuring its top-selling auto battery, the green and white Mega-Tron.

“With the recession, people are not upgrading to new products, whether it’s cars or laptops,” Elam says. “Instead, they are trying to extend the life of their products.”

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