National Franchise Marks 25th Anniversary with Identity Switch to Batteries Plus Bulbs^®, Representing Further Growth Within Light Bulb Category.

HARTLAND, WI.(June 20, 2013)—Batteries Plus^®, the nation's largest and fastest growing battery and light bulb franchise, is marking its 25th anniversary this year with the announcement of branding new and existing franchise and corporately-owned locations as Batteries Plus Bulbs^®. Signaling the company's commitment to the expanding $17 billion U.S. light bulb replacement industry*, the franchise began opening new retail locations as Batteries Plus Bulbs stores in the fourth quarter of 2012 and has the goal of rebranding a majority of existing Batteries Plus stores over the next few years.

The company's new identity strengthens its focus on the rapidly growing light bulb industry. The decision to add light bulbs to its existing battery and related accessory product line was an initiative that began in 2008, after the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) was enacted to phase out production of all incandescent light bulbs by 2014.Batteries Plus realized that as retail and business customers were being asked to look for new lighting alternatives, there existed a true opportunity within an assisted sale environment to educate consumers about the many energy-efficient and money-saving lighting options available to them. After testing the concept in corporate and franchise locations, Batteries Plus began converting stores to add light bulbs to their shelves in 2010.Now,with more than 86 percent of its stores nationwide prominently featuring light bulb products, it's proved to be the right time for Batteries Plus to rebrand with "Bulbs" in order to increase consumer awareness of the company's expanded product focus.

"The past 25 years have seen us evolve from a car battery and accessory retail store in Green Bay, WI, to the largest and fastest-growing battery and light bulb franchise in the U.S.," said Russ Reynolds, CEO, Batteries Plus Bulbs. "Since franchising the company in 1992 and introducing bulbs to stores in 2010lighting solutions and services have played an increasingly larger role in the growth of our business. The launch of Batteries Plus Bulbs is a clear indication of the future of our brand."

Batteries Plus Bulbs also took a significant step in establishing itself as a leader in the light bulb replacement market by becoming the first retail partner of SWITCH Lighting, with an agreement to carry the award winning SWITCH^® LED light bulbs—the first true LED replacements for the incandescent light bulb—at more than 350 stores nationwide. Batteries Plus Bulbs was chosen as SWITCH's partner mainly because of its highly-trained store owners and staff who can best educate customers on all aspects of their innovative light bulb.

"As the demand drivers in the battery and light bulb industries continue growing, Batteries Plus Bulbs will continue growing right along with them. As we further our development efforts and open stores, we'll innovate and evolve through new partnerships, new products and continued investments into the brand," Reynolds adds.

Batteries Plus Bulbs stores have access to more than 15,000 light bulb products ranging from the common recessed lighting, track lighting, incandescent and energy-efficient options to extraordinary, highly-specialized light bulbs for cars/trucks, healthcare equipment, aquariums, projectors, and more. Specialized account programs also fulfill large volume and energy-efficient lighting needs for businesses nationwide.

In addition to its impressive lighting offerings, Batteries Plus Bulbs stores offer thousands of batteries for thousands of devices, ranging from common items such as watches, cars/trucks, digital cameras, laptops and cell/smartphones to those hard-to-find batteries for old toys and novelty or obscure electronic devices. Batteries Plus Bulbs will test your car or truck battery for FREE and should you need a new one, can install it while you wait. The store also offers an on-site tech center to assemble, test, condition and design custom battery packs for rechargeable household and business-to-business products, as well as battery installation services for many applications including watches and keyless remotes. Batteries Plus Bulbs keeps the environment safe with an in-store recycling program using EPA-approved methods for safely recycling batteries, light bulbs, and select portable electronic devices.