THE UK’s largest tobacco companies are stepping up efforts to prepare c-stores for the dark market.
With six months left till the introduction of the tobacco display restrictions on 6 April 2015, Imperial Tobacco says it’s increasing its level of in-store furniture investment.
The installation of its ‘compliancy solution’ across independent outlets is set to begin in January 2015.
“The additional investment for our best-in-class solution means all Imperial Tobacco units will now be installed in two stages,” said Martin Goodall, head of sales at Imperial Tobacco.
“Our professional team of installers will visit retailers from September to begin the installation of the door frames. The doors themselves will then be installed during a second visit as close to the 6 April 2015 implementation date as possible.
“In the last six months leading up to the implementation of full display restrictions, we will continue to support retailers to ensure they are fully compliant with the new regulations and understand the penalties for failure to comply.”
JTI, which has just over 1,000 gantries in Scotland, also has plans to assist its customers in the convenience sector.
“What we’ve learned from larger stores is that if you prepare early and you have a fixed planogram the transition is pretty smooth,” said Jeremy Blackburn, JTI’s head of communications.
“The flip-side is that independents are going to be going head-to-head with a competitor who has been operating in a display ban environment for two years already, so they’ve got the staff discipline in place, the knowledge, they’re managing the category and all the intricacies. Preparation really is key.”
In the period leading up to the display ban, the firm’s sales force will offer assistance to make sure small stores are ready to meet the challenge.
The firm has also launched a new website (www.jtiadvance.co.uk) designed to help retailers develop their business in the dark market.
“Retailers have concerns about what they should be doing to prepare, how they should train their staff. It’s in there, available to them, just a few clicks away,” said Blackburn.
