When sold responsibly, lighters are a dependable source of revenue, even as the number of smokers declines. Lighters are a much-needed tool for the home grill and candles. Another trend helping push lighter sales in c-stores is flavored cigars, which continues to grow at an impressive rate. “Tobacco accessories are alive and well, evolving with [...]
“We are interested in products that are on the cutting edge,” says Jean-Marie Bourque, Couche-Tard category manager. On the heels of an impressive 2011 retail expansion, blu Cigs has started 2012 by boosting the number of U.S. retail locations carrying blu to nearly 20,000. Now, the e-cigarette company is celebrating another milestone—expansion into the Canadian [...]
Free sign up date for the April 2012 NATO Show extended. The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) launched a new initiative in response to the wave of local ordinances being proposed in cities in Massachusetts, California, Rhode Island, Illinois, Pennsylvania and other states. “These local ordinance are the latest in the attempt by the anti-tobacco [...]
R.J. Reynolds delivers on its pledge to its retail partners with a powerful new online tool: Get Engaged. R.J. Reynolds has launched Get Engaged, a new feature on EngageRJRT.com, the online resource for R.J. Reynolds’ retail partners. Get Engaged was created as a research and learning platform intended to provide retailers with shopper insights and [...]
Convenience stores have evolved from being a destination for cigarettes to a destination for tobacco products as a whole. By Joe Bush, Contributing Editor. It was inevitable that the conversation on convenience store cigar sales would shift eventually from rapid growth to supplier relations, category management and marketing. As cigarette regulations and prices and taxes [...]
Alternative products are helping to shape the future of convenience store tobacco sets. By Lou Maiellano. Imagine, if you will, that European explorers land in Africa, North America or South America in the 14th, 15th or 16th centuries. Upon landing, these explorers find the inhabitants of these exotic new lands drinking a strange, energizing brew [...]
“Now is the time to transition leadership to people of an age to guide the company through its next phase of growth,” says Altria CEO. Altria has announced that Chairman and CEO Michael Szymanczyk, 63, has decided to retire after 23 years of distinguished service to the company, including four years as chairman and CEO [...]
A Webcast of the workshop will be available, although preregistration is required. FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products has announced a Research Program Public Workshop: Expanding the Research Base for Tobacco Product Regulation. The purpose of the public workshop is to discuss FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products’ (CTP) research priorities across a broad array of disciplines; [...]
“Our product line is a natural fit in Circle K and will cater to the increased demand for high quality, reliable electronic cigarettes from the Circle K customer base,” says Finiti Branding Group president. Circle K Stores Inc. is now offering the new FIN Electronic Cigarette in each of the convenience store chain’s eight regions. [...]
Retailers and government officials butt heads over handmade cigarettes. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor Celeste Lucas likes to smoke, but she doesn’t like paying $5 a pack for cigarettes, so she took matters into her own hands and purchased a roll-your-own cigarette machine. Using loose tobacco and paper tubes, she can now create an entire [...]
Website brings together adult tobacco consumers on tobacco public policy issues. Altria’s tobacco operating companies launched Citizens for Tobacco Rights, a Website for adult tobacco consumers who are interested in information and advocacy on tobacco-related public policy issues. Citizens for Tobacco Rights is a group of adult smokers and dippers joining together to get active [...]
Smokers have more options today when it comes to tobacco use, and Camel wants customers to know it’s transforming with the times. Camel SNUS is running a number of print ads that are appearing in dozens of alt-weeklies nationwide this month. “At a time when adult tobacco consumers may be considering their options, we want [...]
Enhancing variety will continue to be a key for this high growth category. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Sales of smokeless tobacco products keep increasing and convenience store operators are enjoying the ride. But keeping that graph line headed north means keeping a wary eye on proposed federal regulations, keeping sets fresh, properly allocating shelf [...]
A Federal Judge strikes down FDA’s graphic image requirement on packs of cigarettes until the lawsuit is resolved. A judge has blocked a federal mandate that would require tobacco companies to add graphic images to cigarette packages in 2012, the Associated Press reported. On Monday, Nov. 7, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled cigarette manufacturers [...]
While cigar sales do not approach those of cigarettes, they offer convenience stores better margins. Plus, new flavors and competitive pricing are keeping customers interested in the category. By Joe Bush, Contributing Editor. Other tobacco products (OTP) in general and cigars in particular continue to earn more shelf space in convenience stores, and the higher [...]