世論 What Japan Thinks

MyVoice recently published a survey looking at the topic of disposable dry-cell batteries. By disposable, I mean the single use type, not rechargeable batteries. The survey covers not just standard cylindrical batteries, but also button-type batteries.

Demographics

Over the first five days of May 2007 MyVoice surveyed 15,010 members of their internet community. 54% were female, 2% in their teens, 18% in their twenties, 39% in their thirties, 27% in their forties, and 14% in their fifties.

I buy standard batteries less than once a year in packs of 20 from a home centre on the whole, although I have occasionally used an electrical superstore too. My brand is almost always Panasonic. Just about the only non-rechargeale battery-powered implements at home that use more than one battery per year are a couple of bug killers and a pair of electric candles.

Survey results

Q1: About how often do you buy disposable dry cell batteries? (Sample size=15,010)

Once a month or more	10.9%
Once every two or three months	33.1%
Once every four to six months	29.2%
Once a year	15.8%
Once every two or three years	3.6%
Less than that	4.5%
Don’t buy disposable dry-cell batteries	2.8%

Q2: Where do you buy disposable dry cell batteries? (Sample size=battery buyers, multiple answer)

Electrical superstore	61.3%
100 yen shop	46.3%
Home centre	35.8%
Discount store	31.1%
Supermarket	29.8%
Convenience store	17.0%
Drug store	12.6%
Camera shop	5.0%
Small electrical store	2.6%
Station kiosk	1.6%
Mail order	1.2%
DVD, CD, video purchase or rental store	1.1%
Other	1.1%
No answer	0.1%

Q3: Where do you most often buy disposable dry cell batteries? (Sample size=battery buyers)

Electrical superstore	35.0%
100 yen shop	24.5%
Home centre	11.8%
Supermarket	10.2%
Discount store	8.9%
Convenience store	3.8%
Drug store	3.0%
Camera shop	0.8%
Mail order	0.5%
Small electrical store	0.4%
Station kiosk	0.2%
DVD, CD, video purchase or rental store	0.1%
Other	0.5%
No answer	0.3%

Q4: What are the important points when buying disposable dry cell batteries? (Sample size=battery buyers, multiple answer)

Price	83.4%
Type of battery technology	56.1%
Battery life	33.1%
Number of batteries in package	32.0%
Trust in maker	18.4%
Brand	18.3%
Suitable for the planned usage	14.1%
Kind I always use	6.8%
Package design	1.9%
Other	0.4%
Nothing in particular	2.8%
No answer	0.1%

Q5: What is the most important point when buying disposable dry cell batteries? (Sample size=battery buyers)

Price	49.9%
Type of battery technology	20.5%
Battery life	10.4%
Suitable for the planned usage	3.3%
Trust in maker	2.9%
Brand	2.7%
Number of batteries in package	2.6%
Kind I always use	1.2%
Package design	0.1%
Other	0.2%
Nothing in particular	3.3%
No answer	2.9%

Q6: Which maker’s disposable dry cell batteries do you buy the most? (Sample size=battery buyers)

Panasonic	37.9%
Maxell	3.6%
Sony	3.5%
Sanyo	3.4%
Toshiba	3.3%
Fuji Film	0.8%
Fujitsu	0.8%
Other	0.7%
None in particular	45.4%
No answer	0.6%