With new flavors, brand extensions and increased promotional activity, MST sales continue to post strong gains at convenience stores. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. The smokeless tobacco category remains strong, and not just because legislators have chased consumers away from cigarettes. New products and flavors combined with competitive pricing, increased promotional activity and effective merchandising [...]
Reynolds’ is launching an NRT gum made by its Niconovum pharmaceutical subsidiary, among other products. Reynolds American Inc. is preparing, within the next six months, to delve into several categories, including vapor (likely electronic cigarettes), nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) and nicotine extract products, such as lozenges, Winston-Salem Journal reported. Reynolds also plans to launch new styles [...]
Swisher Sweets introduces its e-cig products to c-store retailers. Swisher Sweets entered the electronic cigarette and cigar business this summer season. The company plans to begin selling its line of e-cigs on Aug. 1 this year, giving consumers an alternative way to smoke Swisher’s products. Murphy Oil, Hess and several other major c-store retailers plan [...]
MSA and Paradigm Sample, in partnership with Convenience Store Decisions, examine the purchasing habits of adult tobacco consumers at U.S. convenience stores. By Trish Temmerman, Management Science Associates, and John Lofstock, Editor. The tobacco industry continues to face challenges on multiple fronts, namely ongoing legislative initiatives and the ever-present high rate of taxation. These persistent [...]
Bluegrass Blends USA has introduced Rockfield Natural Cigarette Alternatives with no tobacco, no nicotine and no nitrosamines. Rockfield Natural Cigarette Alternatives sell for up to 70% less than traditional cigarettes and provide a low-cost alternative for consumers seeking relief from the high cost of traditional cigarettes. Benefits include no costly MSA tobacco taxes and higher [...]
Separating nicotine from cigarettes and smoking could open new doors for tobacco. By Lou Maiellano. Imagine a natural ingredient so promising and intriguing that it is being clinically evaluated to address a variety of illnesses and conditions, including depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, Tourette syndrome, ADHD, anger management and anxiety. Think about it, an ingredient that would [...]
R.J. Reynolds has announced the expansion of its Camel SNUS line, now available in select retail outlets in a Mint style. Camel SNUS Mint is the latest innovation from the brand known for transforming tobacco, giving adult tobacco consumers the freedom to “Break Free” and enjoy tobacco pleasure on their own terms. Offering innovative smoke-free [...]
FDA intends to focus reporting enforcement on 20 HPHCs during 2012, and provides details for those seeking to market a tobacco product as modified or lower risk. Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released two separate draft guidance documents to “help fight the tobacco epidemic and stop children from using tobacco.” The draft [...]
CSD‘s 2012 Category Management Outlook offers trends and analysis from more than 25 key in-store categories. By John Lofstock and Erin Rigik. Tough economic times and stiff competition across the supply chain are making it critical for convenience store operators to have a solid understanding of their customers, particularly their high-frequency, high-value shoppers. Armed with [...]
Size Matters! Smoker Friendly International is proud to announce the birth of their new disposable e-cigarette: Spirit 2. Made in the USA and using the same e-liquid used in the rechargeable version, the Spirit 2 is the most authentic e-cig ever produced. The e-cigarette is sized as a traditional cigarette and only .3 ounces (66% [...]
As e-cig sales globally hit $200 million, with over $100 million of business in the U.S., e-cig consumer organizations encourage vapers to celebrate the product around the world. Thousands of smokers and ex-smokers across the world will be celebrating World Vaping Day March 22 to celebrate the success of the electronic cigarette, and to encourage [...]
Report by anti-smoking groups condemns c-stores for point-of-sale tobacco marketing. A new report, titled “Deadly Alliance: How Tobacco Companies and Convenience Stores Partner to Market Tobacco Products and Fight Life-Saving Policies” has been released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Counter Tobacco (a project that works to counter tobacco product sales and marketing at the [...]
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 [...]
State lawmaker looks to reduce cigarette tax to keep smokers shopping inside Rhode Island. Rhode Island Representative Robert Philips is calling on the state to slash its cigarette tax by $1 to encourage smokers to shop local instead of crossing state borders to buy smokes in neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut, thus keeping tax dollars in [...]