Radio Shack "Battery of the Month" Card (c. 1980)

Radio Shack Battery of the Month Club

The Radio Shack "Battery of the Month" Club, which ran from the 1960s until the early 1990s, was one of the most famous and successful retail "loss leaders" in American marketing history. Designed purely to drive foot traffic into stores, the club was entirely free to join; customers were issued a small, wallet-sized cardboard membership card printed with the twelve months of the year around the edges. Once a month, a cardholder could walk into any neighborhood Radio Shack, present their card to a salesperson, and walk out with one completely free, store-branded "Enercell" battery—typically choosing between a AA, C, D, or a 9-volt cell—while the employee used a hole-punch to mark off the current month. Because most electronics of the era required multiple batteries to function, the clever underlying strategy was that customers would naturally buy the remaining matching batteries they needed while browsing the aisles of walkmans, RC cars, and electronic gadgets. For decades, the program became a monthly ritual for millions of tech-loving kids and frugal parents alike, ensuring that Radio Shack remained a staple of the local strip mall by giving away thousands of cheap, zinc-carbon cells in exchange for unbeatable brand loyalty.

Obtained from: eBay.com