DESPITE all the many changes to the operation of the tobacco market, Scotland’s £24m RYO accessories category has maintained a loyal following, and filter tips are proving especially successful, says specialist accessories supplier Republic Technologies UK, quoting data from research firm IRI.
General manager Gavin Anderson said: “The EU Tobacco Products Directive II means retailers must think long and hard about how to maintain tobacco sales against the backdrop of an increasingly regulated environment.
“Many shopkeepers are offering a strong range of accessories to drive profit and differentiate from their competitors. This is evidenced
by the repeat consumer traffic into these innovative retailers.
“Market data shows that filters are the best-performing sector of the UK’s £251m accessories market, now valued at £70 million and growing at 1.7%.”
The importance of Swan, Britain’s best-selling RYO filter, to the sector is highlighted by the fact that it is growing at almost double
the total market, with year-on-year sales up 3%, he
said.
Republic Technologies has recently introduced the Swan Eco filter, which it says is the most environmentally friendly Swan product to date.
Extra slim Eco Swan filters are biodegradable and feature naturally coloured filters and unbleached paper wrap.
Each pack (RRP 99p) contains 120 filter tips and there are 20 packs per outer.
The launch of Swan Eco filters follows the introduction of Swan Ultra Slim filters, the thinnest Swan filters produced to date.
“Size of filter has risen up the RYO smokers’ agenda and many people are opting for roll-your-own filters because they enable them to make thinner cigarettes,” said Anderson.
Other product development work has included the Zig-Zag Unbleached paper range. It features transparent and unrefined rolling papers, which the firm says provides RYO enthusiasts with a smoother taste and richer tobacco flavour.
Demand for matches and lighters also remains high, it says. The segment’s annual sales value is now £87m.
