America Spends $2.3 Billion on Batteries

NEW YORK — Spurred by their growing infatuation with electronic toys and games, hobby equipment and gadgets, Americans spend some $2.3 billion each year for batteries, according to a report from a marketing communications concern.

Paradoxically, according to the New York-based Howard Marlboro Group, while electronic technological advances have accelerated battery sales, consumers do not buy their batteries in stores that sell electronic equipment.

The leading outlets for batteries are the nation’s discount stores, with nearly 35% of total sales.

Supermarkets account for 27% of all battery sales, drugstores account for 18%, small independently-owned neighborhood stores account for about 20%, and drugstores approximately 18%.