Cell phones and tablets have become incredibly powerful over the past few years, but their batteries, sadly, haven’t kept up.

A device with a dead battery is of no use, so the ability to recharge anywhere, anytime is a necessity in today’s fast-paced world. Not every consumer uses a case, styli, or other type of accessory with their device, but every consumer has to have power. Portable power is a terrific add-on accessory for your customers who can’t keep a charge all day or stop to plug-in.

Now we know what you’re thinking. Your customers can power their devices at home, so why would they need a separate portable power source?

What if they…

• …lose power in a storm? (In Oklahoma, we rely on weather apps to keep us safe andwithout device power, we can’t pinpoint where the most dangerous storms are developing.)
• …are camping outside with no electricity?
• … are a daily commuter or business traveler and have long commutes by bus or train or are stuck in an airport without access to an outlet?
• … simply do not have time to stop and charge their device?

The what ifs are endless, and with the right mix of portable power offerings, you can put these what ifs to rest for your customers and boost your bottom-line in the process.

How Do They Work?

Portable power packs are charged separately to give devices, like smartphones, tablets or e-readers, an on-the-go charge. How many devices or how much charge delivered to those devices depends on their mAh (milliampere-hour) capacity. For example, a power pack with 7,000mAh can fully charge a tablet or two smartphones, whereas a power pack with only 1,000mAh can only partially charge a single smartphone. The same rule applies for charging multiple devices. If the power pack has multiple cables or ports, it can still charge multiple devices simultaneously but will only charge the max mAh allowed by the power pack.

Power packs can also vary in size and range from small enough to fit in a wallet to as large as a small tablet.  The amount of time it takes to give a power pack its full charge can take anywhere from one to nine hours and will typically keep the bulk of its charge for up to 30 days. Another option in portable power is a case that doubles as a battery backup. These are usually specific to a particular type of device and offer a protective outer case that can add a few hours to a portable device’s battery life.

With so many devices incorporating more complex and power hungry functions, it’s no wonder consumers are anxious for a reliable power solution. And fortunately for retailers, this brings opportunity.  The bottom line: plugging a diverse selection of portable power devices into your product mix at competitive price points will help you profit from this growing category.