LOGIC Technology, developers of premium electronic cigarettes, announced the addition of Miguel Martin to its executive team. In his role as president, Martin will lead LOGIC Technology’s rapid growth, developing and implementing a strategic plan to accelerate LOGIC’s status as a leader in the electronic cigarette industry. “This is an exciting time for LOGIC Technology,…
Tobacco-Less Buzz From Nicotine
Altria releases a new smoking product that contains no tobacco. U.S. tobacco giant Altria Group Inc. moved into uncharted territory this week as it released the Verve: a tobacco-less nicotine product. The maker of Marlboro plans to launch a non-dissolving, lozenge-shaped nicotine disc called Verve in the next several days. It’s the latest advance by…
Designing a Winning OTP Strategy
Convenience stores have evolved from being a destination for cigarettes to a destination for tobacco products as a whole. By Joe Bush, Contributing Editor. It was inevitable that the conversation on convenience store cigar sales would shift eventually from rapid growth to supplier relations, category management and marketing. As cigarette regulations and prices and taxes…
Altria Chairman and CEO To Retire
“Now is the time to transition leadership to people of an age to guide the company through its next phase of growth,” says Altria CEO. Altria has announced that Chairman and CEO Michael Szymanczyk, 63, has decided to retire after 23 years of distinguished service to the company, including four years as chairman and CEO…
Altria’s Tobacco Companies Launch Citizens for Tobacco Rights
Website brings together adult tobacco consumers on tobacco public policy issues. Altria’s tobacco operating companies launched Citizens for Tobacco Rights, a Website for adult tobacco consumers who are interested in information and advocacy on tobacco-related public policy issues. Citizens for Tobacco Rights is a group of adult smokers and dippers joining together to get active…
Updating the State of the Industry
NACS Chairman Jeff Miller discusses card fees, fuel and the future of convenience stores. By John Lofstock, Editor. Jeff Miller, president of Miller Oil Co. in Virginia, wears many hats. He is an oilman, an industry advocate and a leader. For the past year, he has also been the chairman of NACS, which could…
Smokeless Sales Show Promise
While managing new products and planograms is vital, retailers will need to keep an eye out for federal tax increases and FDA intervention over the next 12 months. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Smokeless tobacco has outperformed expectations for three straight years—which, while good, leaves many in the industry fearing it’s only a matter of…
Untipped Cigarillos
John Middleton’s Black & Mild is launching two premium untipped cigarillo products nationally: Classic and Sweets. Classic is for adult cigar smokers interested in a classic Black & Mild pipe tobacco taste, while Sweets is a more traditional cigarillo taste made from primarily air-cured tobaccos. Both products are available in five-packs and singles. During initial…
Dipping Into New Profits
In a market plagued by high taxes, declining gross margin profits on cigarettes and the likely possibility of FDA restrictions on tobacco, retailers more than ever need to manage the tobacco category more closely. It’s no secret that the smokeless category has been growing, with big year-on-year gains in new product sales, flavors and line…