BOULDER, Colo. -- Smoker Friendly International introduced its new retail concept, the Smoker Friendly Authorized Dealer Program that is tailored for cigarette and tobacco store (CTS) operators, during the 2006 NATO (National Association of Tobacco Outlets) trade show.
Smoker Friendly has been involved in the CTS trade class for more than 15 years with nearly 300 stores licensed to fly the trade name and sell the Smoker Friendly private-label brand of cigarettes, little cigars, RYO/MYO tobaccos, pipe tobacco, premium bundled cigars and assorted [image-nocss] tobacco related accessories.
In the rapidly changing retail tobacco environment, Smoker Friendly has crafted a program that seeks to enlist existing CTS retailers who desire the exclusivity of a private-label product that acts as their house brand and the clout that comes with belonging to a larger group while retaining their own stores local identity.
The Smoker Friendly Authorized Dealer Program creates synergy with operators from across the United States who can collaborate with peers in a unified program that will enhance their retail operation by belonging to the only national retail tobacco brand, Smoker Friendly.
The program provides retailers the exclusive Smoker Friendly brand, exclusive territory, competitive prices, healthy profit margins, annual rebates, advantages of a buying group, clout with manufacturers, an annual trade show and conference, an in-store sign package, and no franchise or license fees.
The cost to an approved dealer is the required store opening inventory of the Smoker Friendly branded products and required sign package (a Smoker Friendly window neon sign, Smoker Friendly Tobacco Family menu board and an Authorized Dealer decal for the front door).
The programs tagline The SF Advantage: Rich Rewards for Retailers' is more than just marketing, said Mickey Falconburg, vice president of sales and marketing for Smoker Friendly International. The growing Smoker Friendly retail footprint allows a smaller operator to be a part of a larger organization that will bring them deals, promotions, in-store contests, purchasing power, rebates and the like of which a single-store retailer or small chain operator might not have the ability to access. Rewards come in many forms.
More information about the Smoker Friendly Authorized Dealer Program is available by calling Falconburg at (888) 751-2785, Ext. 238 or visiting the Web at www.smokerfriendly.com.
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