Price and flavour preference remain important
THE start of a new year brings in plenty of ambition for consumers, but there is also a great deal of financial worry to contend with.
Soaring household costs and post-Christmas bank accounts will have shoppers looking to cut back across their shops and, for smokers, that means turning to some more budget-friendly options.
With this in mind, Imperial Brands has pushed retailers to stock up on some value tobacco ranges such as Regal Signature – RRP £13.80 per pack – and the new Paramount range, which has the lower RRP of £12.50.
Following an initial launch in Germany, the Paramount range of cigarettes has already seen a great deal of success in the country as Nielsen said it had become to be the fastest-growing cigarette product on the shelves.
Despite this, though, retailers shouldn’t count out consumers’ flavour preferences here, which could help to encourage a greater spend at the gantry.
Andrew Malm, UK market manager at Imperial Brands, said: “Taste is key. While taste preferences are generally more prevalent in roll-your-own (RYO), there is generally a growing demand for stronger tasting, more intense tobacco blends and greater variety.
“This is also driving sales in smoking accessory products such as flavour cards and menthol filter tips.”
This demand for flavour has been matched in Imperial’s other recent launches of L&B Blue New Crush Fusion and Embassy Signature New Crush Fusion.
Imperial says the two variants can provide shoppers with a “cooling sensation” in a factory-made cigarette option, providing for both a flavour and convenience demand, that won’t have to break consumers’ budgets.
Malm said: “The New Crush Fusion range also features a white tip for the ultimate contemporary look and feel, a resealable foil to prolong freshness, and special tipping paper to provide the innovative cooling sensation.
“L&B Blue New Crush Fusion and Embassy Signature New Crush Fusion, which are available with an RRP of £14.10 and £13.80 respectively, provide the same great tobacco blend as the New Crush range, making them ideal for adult smokers who are seeking a new smoking experience at great value.”
Begin the transition to refillable
WHILE disposable vape options won’t disappear from shops until June, retailers need to start introducing alternatives now to help customers make the transition over.
With this in mind, Imperial Brands believes more pod-based systems will be in high demand, offering shoppers a smooth transition over to refillable options in the category.
Imperial says its Blu Bar Pod Kits will be an ideal option here, with a cheaper pod alternative that also makes use of familiar flavours and feelings.
Andrew Malm, UK market manager at Imperial Brands, said: “Pod-systems that offer the same flavour range and experience of disposables will be ideal both pre and post the disposables ban, as they provide an easy transition for disposable users to make the switch to reusable devices.
“Customers who are familiar with the Blu Bar 1000, and therefore trust the Blu brand to cater to their vaping needs, may also be inclined to try our new Blu Bar Kit in the lead-up to the ban.
“The Blu Bar Kit has a similar look and feel to Blu Bar 1000, while also being rechargeable and easy to refill with our Blu Bar Kit Pods.”
