When sold responsibly, lighters are a dependable source of revenue, even as the number of smokers declines. Lighters are a much-needed tool for the home grill and candles. Another trend helping push lighter sales in c-stores is flavored cigars, which continues to grow at an impressive rate. “Tobacco accessories are alive and well, evolving with…
Adding a Spark to Tobacco Sales
Customized and novelty lighters offer customers an opportunity to express themselves. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. In simpler times, lighters were used chiefly as a means to an end—lighting up a cigarette, birthday candles or even restarting an oven. Today, however, with the growth of the tobacco accessories category, lighters have become an end in…
Lighting the Way to Profitability
Lighters can be an afterthought. There are relatively few manufacturers, everyone merchandises them near the front counter, liability issues have cut down on cheap products and differentiation is only skin deep. But even given the limited number of companies supplying products, lighters produce an excellent margin—between 40% and 60%—and sales have been steady for the…
Finding Profits with Tobacco Accessories
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates, scheduled to go into effect on June 22, prohibit retailers from selling cigarettes and smokeless products in self-service displays except in age-restricted stores that ban customers younger than 18 years of age. While retailers in some states, such as New York and Idaho, have already had to comply with…
Lighting the Way
Making money in tobacco accessories—lighters, cigar cutters, humidors, pipes, rolling machines, rolling papers and even hookahs—during the months ahead may not be easy, but it can be done. Three ways to do it: offer novel items, stay on the cutting edge of trends and let customers roll their own. The payoff in 2010 could be…
Thinking Outside the Box
In 2010, retailers are getting creative to reach customers with the general merchandise category. As with other categories, expect customers to be focused on finding more value for their dollar. 7-Eleven Inc. sees quirky, fun products attracting customer attention at its chain in 2010. The Dallas-based chain ended the fourth quarter of 2009 with an…
Zippo Acquires Ronson Corp. Assets
Bradford, Pa-based Zippo Manufacturing Company has completed the purchase of substantially all of the assets of Ronson Consumer Products Corporation of Woodbridge, N.J., and Ronson Corporation of Canada Ltd.; and certain related assets of Ronson Corporation. Zippo is one of the world’s most widely recognized brands, best known for its iconic refillable windproof lighter. The…
BIC sparks Gate’s sales
BIC sparks Gate’s sales Bob Westendick’s business is tobacco and cigarettes, and he likes anything that pushes that category. Which is why he is so enamored with BIC. As the merchandise assistant for Gate Petroleum (Jacksonville, FL), Westendick keeps tabs on the profitability of the chain’s product mix for its 150 stores. Since signing an…