Pushing up pouches in the nicotine category
SAVVY retailers know to keep an eye out on emerging categories across the entirety of convenience retail.
This should be no different for the nicotine channel and with the future of the industry looking towards a smoke-free goal, it could pay off in the long run to consider the nicotine pouch category.
For those retailers looking to make the most of this opportunity from early doors, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) reckons its Nordic Spirit nicotine pouch range could be the way to go.
Bruce Terry, portfolio brand manager at JTI UK, said: “A key trend within the nicotine pouch category is the continued demand for higher nicotine strengths.
“A total of 75.1% of nicotine pouch sales in traditional retail in the UK are from the Extra-Strong or Strong strengths, so we advise retailers to provide a good choice of products in this segment.”
With this in mind, JTI has pushed retailers to stock up on its range of higher strength nicotine pouches in a variety of flavours to help meet consumer demands.
Terry said: “To help retailers tap into these trends, Nordic Spirit has recently expanded its portfolio with a new Spearmint Strong nicotine strength.
“Not only does this provide an answer to the growing demand for higher strengths in the category, but it also caters to demand for menthol products. This follows the launch of Spearmint and Bergamot Wildberry Extra-Strong last year, too.”
Help customers to save cash
IT comes as no surprise that more consumers are seeking better value options in the current climate and this has been felt across the nicotine channel as well.
With this in mind, stocking a range of roll-your-own (RYO) options behind the counter could result in more sales for some smokers out there.
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) reckons it stands ready to meet this better value for money demand with consumers and has urged retailers to stocking its Sterling Essential Rolling range, which introduced a more convenient pack in December last year, including papers, a blend and zip pouch to hold it all.
Gemma Bateson, sales director at JTI UK, said: “As existing adult smokers continue to look for more affordable options in the market, retailers should focus on stocking ultra-value tobacco brands now more than ever. In December last year, we reformatted Sterling Essential Rolling to feature rolling papers, including an enhanced blend and a convenient zip pouch.
“The new features offer an easy and accessible format for existing adult smokers, with everything they need in one pouch. The new Sterling Essential Rolling offering taps into the ever-increasing ultra-value segment, with 58.7% of all sales volumes currently in the value or ultra-value ready-made cigarettes and RYO sector.”
