2017 NACS Show Tobacco Preview
By Angel Abcede on Oct. 03, 2017CHICAGO -- While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may have cramped the innovation style of tobacco manufacturers in recent years, more recent messages from the regulatory body may mean surprises and innovation for category managers and retailers attending the upcoming NACS Show and into the new year.
The channel’s biggest players and up-and-comers alike will spotlight products designed to keep the category a vital part of the convenience business.
Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the products that exhibitors will feature at McCormick Place along Chicago’s picturesque lakefront.
Spotlighting a tobacco-category product at this year’s NACS Show? Send a description and image to aabcede@winsightmedia.com. And watch CSP Daily News for more product previews and post-show roundups from the tobacco category.
New: Smokey Mountain Chew Inc.
Noted for being small and discreet, the Airio Micro Tar Reducing Cigarette Filter reduces tar and other harmful chemicals, according to the company. It comes equipped with a counter-friendly display. The supplier is also offering retailers an introductory display deal: Buy 10 packs and receive two packs free. A 20-count pack is available for an SRP of $1.99.
New: Scandinavian Tobacco Group
Locked-in Humidity Packs are a type of packaging that keep premium, hand-rolled cigars fresh. It allows retailers the opportunity to sell lines from Scandinavian Tobacco Group such as Macanudo, Punch, Partagas and Hoyo de Monterrey. Consumers can grab and go with what they want in those premium-cigar occasions, including golfing, hunting and fishing. The opportunity can lead to incremental, high margins, the company said. The solution reduces the need for a humidor because the pouches will keep the cigars fresh.
New: Logic Technology Development LLC
The Logic Power rechargeable from Logic Technology Development LLC is ready to vape from first use. It’s made with premium e-liquid and is available in three flavors. It contains a 300mAh battery for a smooth draw with a thick vapor exhale. Each Logic Power cartridge delivers up to 300 vapor puffs. They come in three different flavors, and refills are available in packs of two.
New: Convenience Valet
Nicorette is launching in new 10-count boxes with their two most popular flavors: White Ice Mint and Fruit Chill. Made available through Convenience Valet, the product can go both in-line (peggable) or sit at the counter in a branded, two-shelf rack. Smoking cessation is a nearly $1 billion category and growing each year, the company said.
Cheyenne International
Cheyenne International is showcasing its cigarette, cigar, pipe and smokeless brands, including Cheyenne Strawberry Cigars.
ITG Brands
Winston is expanding its offering in the non-menthol gold segment with the Select style. The smooth blend joins the full-bodied Red style and the lighter Gold and White cigarette types, the company said. Selects are packaged in a kings box and feature a white filter tip. The company is offering promotional support, including point-of-sale posters, kits and counter mats.
JT International USA Inc.
A fast-growing U.S. brand, LD cigarettes will be featured prominently at the JT International USA Inc. booth. With a high-end design and visual point-of-sale material, the LD cigarettes have a 100% product guarantee, “exceptional” blends and high margins, the company said.
Reynolds American Inc.
Reynolds American's Newport has rolled out its new style of menthol cigarette nationwide. Platinums have a smooth menthol flavor that is distinct from other Newport varieties, according to the company. The cigarettes come in Platinum and Platinum Blue, both available in kings and 100s boxes.
Scandinavian Tobacco Group
Half Pipe Gold Rush from Scandinavian Tobacco Group is a corona-sized cigar that combines the spice of rum with a sweet caramel top flavor. The hand-rolled, precut cigars contain a blend of premium Dominican cigar tobacco with Burley pipe tobacco, plus a bit of Virginia pipe tobacco for balance. The cigars come in display cases of 10 cigars packaged individually in foil pouches.
Also from Scandinavian Tobacco, Talon Cigars are marketed as everyday, low-price products but with a high-quality, filtered taste and a smooth and aromatic flavor. The cigars come in seven flavors.
Space Jam Juice
Space Jam E-Liquid from Space Jam Juice is available in six-count packs. With these products, Space Jam Juice brings brand recognition, high-quality e-liquid and reputable manufacturing from the vape shop experience to the convenience-store market, company officials said. The lineup uses green bottles for visibility and brand-recognition purposes. Space Jam carries a large and loyal fan base and provides marketing support, including consumer coupons and promotions, company officials said.
Swedish Match
Look for two featured cigar lines from Swedish Match. The first, White Owl Emerald and Platinum, includes unflavored, unsweetened cigars made with an all-natural premium blend of tobaccos from around the world. White Owl Emerald has a green wrapper and White Owl Platinum has a traditional brown wrapper. The second line is Game Diamond. It’s an unsweetened, unflavored cigarillo with a premium wrapper and filler, the company said.
U.S. Tobacco Cooperative
In October 2016, Premier Manufacturing, the consumer-products division of U.S. Tobacco Cooperative, purchased King Maker Marketing. With it, U.S. Tobacco Cooperative acquired four brands of value-priced cigarettes: Ace, Gold Crest, Checkers and Hi-Val. While the company opted to pull Checkers and Hi-Val off the market for now, it completed repackaging for its Ace and Gold Crest brands. Both are now made in the United States and use flue-cured tobacco from the cooperative’s growers as the main ingredient. Ace packaging uses primary colors, while Gold Crest has a high-end redesign, the company said.
Pax Labs
Growing in the electronic-cigarette category, Juul from Pax Labs is a vapor experience designed for adult smokers. Juul has a unique profile, simple interface and variety of flavors, the company said.
Logic Technology Development LLC
Logic Pro from Logic Technology Development LLC is a two-piece, closed-tank vaping device that gives power and vapor without the hassle of manual refilling, the company said. Logic Pro’s prefilled e-liquid capsules mean no mess or spilling when it’s time for a refill. Customers don’t have to wait until one capsule’s finished to switch flavors.
Also from Logic, VapeLeaf makes it easy to enjoy real tobacco without the burning, smoke smell or ash, the company said. VapeLeaf works by passing heated vapor through ground tobacco to capture the true tobacco flavor in every puff, it said. Its unique process doesn’t heat tobacco directly, so there's no smoke smell or ash that come with burning.
Swisher International Inc.
Cigar-maker Swisher International Inc. is adding Banana Smash cigarillos to its Swisher Sweets limited-edition lineup. The new cigarillos provide a bold yet sweet blend of banana and strawberry flavors and are available in a resealable two-count pouch with the company’s “sealed fresh” guarantee. The product comes in "2 for 99 cents," "Save on 2" and "2 for $1.49" price options.
Spark Vapor
Spark Vapor is showing lines of closed-tank, electronic-vaping systems from Cig2o and Vapage. Spark Vapor’s products and pricing are designed for convenience stores, with a “risk-free” display placement program featured for NACS Show attendees, the company said.
Kretek International Inc.
Kretek International Inc. is offering its Djarum Black Ultra Smooth cigar, which the company says has an easy draw and distinct experience. Made with fine tobacco, the balance of aroma and taste strike a balance that is appealing to both men and women, giving retailers a high-margin, high-sales product, the company said. Djarum Black Ultra Smooth cigars are available in a four-pack or 12-pack.