Competition strains battery sales

Alkaline batteries are showing tepid growth, and experts expect sales to plunge as much as 3% as fierce competition among manufacturers continues to pressure pricing. More devices are using built-in rechargeable battery systems — another trend hurting primary battery sales.


Experts said there is opportunity. Jason Gere, an analyst for RBC Capital Markets, sees long-term growth in rechargeables. “Coin cells are another growth segment, thanks to new opportunities in health/
fitness consumer electronics and active-shutter 3-D glasses,” said Tim Doyle, a Consumer Electronics Association spokesman.

The article above is part of the DSN Category Review Series. For the complete Batteries Sell-Through Report, including extensive charts, data and more analysis, click here.