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…
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…