Republic Technologies highlights must-stock tobacco accessories products
RETAILERS can capitalise on the growing tobacco accessories market in Scotland by ensuring they offer shoppers lots of choice, reckons Republic Technologies UK (RTUK).
So the firm has highlighted must-stock products that it makes to meet the needs of RYO smokers.
RTUK pointed to Circana data that shows its Swan Fresh Burst Crushball is the best-performing menthol capsule filter in the convenience market and claimed the product gives retailers great sales and margins.
The crush capsule is described as delivering a strong peppermint flavour and comes in a two-part sliding pack containing 54 filters, with an RRP of £1.43.
Sustainable products remain a key consideration for shoppers across all categories, including more natural ingredients and reduced single-use packaging.
And RTUK claims its Swan Eco Loose is the most environmentally friendly filter in the UK market, is 100% biodegradable and made from unbleached paper. With an RRP of £1.54, there are 200 per box.
Then there are the OCB Virgin Slim (RRP £1.10) and OCB Virgin Slim & Tips (RRP £1.73) products. The unbleached papers are manufactured using OCB natural gum that is sustainably sourced, vegan and GM-free.
Of course, NPD drives growth of the category and draws shoppers to stores to try products as they hit shelves.
Launched earlier this year, OCB Rice Papers come in Slim (RRP, £1.10) and Slim & Tips (RRP, £1.73), and contain 32 papers per pack.
OCB Rice Papers are made from a blend of rice and organic hemp. The unbleached, ultra-thin papers are said to deliver a premium rolling and slow-burning experience in a natural, brown paper.
Republic Tech sales and marketing director Gavin Anderson said: “We know that OCB Rice Papers will appeal to the growing number of roll-your-own consumers who are now looking more closely at products with natural ingredients.
“OCB always delivers on quality and value, which has led to strong levels of loyalty with shoppers.”
RTUK has also broadened the appeal of its best-selling Swan filters range with the launch of Just Paper – an environmentally friendly range of 100% plastic-free filter tips.
The Just Paper range features a ‘flip-a-tip’ design that dispenses loose extra slim filters, without the use of plastic rods. Each box contains 120 filters, with 10 boxes per outer and an RRP of £1.45 per consumer unit.
In a first for Scotland’s tobacco accessories category, the innovative Just Paper filters provide consumers with an experience that is very similar to traditional cellulose acetate filters, but in a way that is much more eco-friendly, the company claims.
Anderson said: “The Just Paper range represents a breakthrough in the development of filter tips, with a significantly reduced impact on the environment.
“We know that there’s more to do on this journey but innovation of this kind is a major step for the brand and category.
“We’re confident that it will attract new shoppers to Swan, strengthening its position as the brand of choice for retailers and roll-your-own shoppers.”
Research from IRI shows the Scottish tobacco accessories market is worth £38million a year, with growth of 15.4% year on year.
Anderson added: “Shoppers in this category have a range of different usage occasions and purchasing habits, so choice is absolutely key in maximising engagement and sales in tobacco accessories
“Those retailers who offer a varied selection of product formats, from king size papers to eco-friendly filters, are seeing the highest levels of repeat purchase, which is a key driver for incremental sales.”
