Lighters Lead The Pack On Retail Sales
Retailers seeing if cannabis lights a fire for tobacco accessories sales
When it comes to tobacco accessories, what’s the first thing that clicks in your head? If you said lighters, you’re not alone. Colorful lighters at a value price point are notorious for enticing customers to make last-second impulse purchases at the front counter. Lighters still compose the bulk of accessories sales at most c-stores, but expanding accessories opportunities may be on the way.
While dollar sales for the tobacco accessories category rang in at $273 million for the 52 weeks ending March 24, 2019, according to Chicago-based research firm, IRI, the average unit price was under $2. But as accessories expand, average unit prices may be rising.
With changes in the tobacco industry and a budding patchwork cannabis market, there’s little doubt that the number and types of accessories will present avenues for sales growth. The question is: Which accessories?
“Torch lighters are big,” said Ray Johnson, operations manager of the Speedee Mart chain with 23 locations throughout Las Vegas.
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