STAMFORD, Conn. -- U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (USSTC), a subsidiary of UST Inc., said that the company will launch Skoal Straight Pouches on Aug. 4, 2008. The new product launch will capitalize on two of the strongest growth trends in the moist smokeless tobacco (MST) category: the straight taste profile and the portion pack form.
The straight taste profile is the fastest-growing and third-largest flavor-blend segment in MST, the company said. Likewise, portion packs (commonly called pouches) are the fastest-growing MST form, it added.
"Skoal Straight Pouches represent the first [image-nocss] combination of these two growing segments, and we anticipate strong adult consumer demand for this unique item," said Thano Chaltas, USSTC vice president of marketing.
For the last several years, the MST category has been a standout performer among consumer packaged goods, with annual growth rates of 6% to 7%, said the company. A key driver of that growth has been adult smokers making the move to smokeless tobacco. Research shows that of the growing number of new adult MST consumers, the majority were smokers first.
More than doubling in size over the last four years, the growth of the pouch segment has been a key contributor to overall MST category growth, with particular appeal among adult smokers who switch to smokeless tobacco. "We find that adult smokers prefer the neat, easier to use, more discreet smokeless tobacco experience offered by pouches," said Chaltas.
The Skoal Straight Pouches launch will be supported by Skoal's "Welcome to the Brotherhood" national integrated marketing campaign and will include advertising in adult-oriented magazines, adult sampling programs, direct mail, point-of-sale materials, pre-packed promotional displays and the age-verified website, www.SkoalBrotherhood.com.
Stamford, Conn.-based USSTC is a leading producer and marketer of moist smokeless tobacco products. The company's primary brands are Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal and Husky.Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.