How to profit from Pokemon Go: Become a local re-charging centre for dead batteries

So, it’s been 3 days since Pokemon Go has launched in Hong Kong. While no dead bodies have been found just yet, hundreds of thousands of people have encountered a modern day problem: their battery capacities just cannot handle a full day of Pokemon hunting. Within 2 hours of playing, most players are reporting a loss of between 35- 50% of the power in their battery. This figure is even worse on older mobile phones, or if players have been in the sunlight, Poke-hunting on high brightness.

Pokemon Go display at Wan Chai Computer Centre (Photo credit: Brian Cheng)

We visited the Wan Chai Computer Centre today, and found that specialised Pokemon shop displays had been set up to compile all the biggest and baddest battery packs around, luring people in with special offers and deals for their purchases. Within the computer centre, shops were reporting up to a x10 increase in sales of battery packs since the launch of Pokemon Go. “It’s crazy”, said Ko, salesperson at one of the stores within the Wan Chai Computer Centre, “people have been coming in and buying battery packs – some people barely even look at me they’re so busy still playing as they purchase!”

Hong Kong’s largest electronics retailer, Fortress, also reported up to a x5 increase in sales since the launch of Pokemon Go, while Tai Koo’s Broadway branch reported up to x2 of the usual sales. Notably Fortress had a customised Pokemon Go promotion with all their prices displayed in Pokeballs instead of dollars, while Broadway did not have any such promotion.

Pokemon Go display at Fortress, Tai Koo Shing

With such a huge demand in portable power banks, it’s worthwhile to note the impact and value of allowing people to charge. For example, restaurants near PokeStops could offer a charging combo for their lunch / dinner services, and hotels could provide power packs to their guests alongside Poke-maps of nearby areas.

While Pokemon Go’s success is likely to die down over time, what we’re seeing now is that the demand for battery far outweighs the technology which phone manufacturers can provide. Whether the game continues to rage on successfully or not, it’s clear that the future ahead contains more games of the sort, and more power consumption.

Most interestingly perhaps, is that users are willing to spend their money in ‘real world’ stores and locations in order to continue to play. We went inside a local 711 which was conveniently located amongst 3 PokeStops, all with lures on them. Speaking to the staff, we found out that their drink sales have increased dramatically as Hong Konger’s are stocking up on beverages in order to stay hydrated as they continue to Poke-hunt in 35 degree weather, ploughing through 88% humidity. Restaurants nearby have also reported an increase of people who played as they ate their meals, coming in over peak times – with or without friends.

All over the internet we’ve heard stories about business owners capitalising on the success that Niantic has brought to the world.

So how can your business profit from Pokemon Go? 

1.     Offer your business up as a local charging station, where people can re-charge, catch Pokemon indoors and away from the outside elements

2.     Tie that in with an offer, such as ‘Share your Pokemon catch on social media for 25% off your bill’

3.     Set up constant Lures on your closest PokeStop(s) to increase human traffic

4.     Advertise outdoors with a huge sign – ‘Recharge your phone and yourself – 25% off your bill for Pokemon Trainers’

5.     Advertise the offer on your social media platforms – Facebook has options in larger countries such as the US to geographically target users within a mile of your business

6.     (Optional) Have a staff member play all day and take screenshots of any rare Pokemon caught within the vicinity, also to be shared on social media

7.  Look to partner with local Youtuber’s who talk about the game – they could promote your business for free on their social media channels in exchange for some air conditioning and hydration!

Feel free to email us to find out more about our portable charging stations for businesses and how we can help you monetise that Pokemon Go craze!

Easter Egg: Hong Kong’s Pokemon Trainers going crazy hunting in Kennedy Town (Photo Credit: Nicolle Bloomfield)