OTP Blooms at Smoker Friendly Festival
By Angel Abcede on Sep. 11, 2019BROOMFIELD, Colo. — With products ranging from new pouch flavors to "Star Wars"-themed hookah masks, exhibitors at the recent Smoker Friendly tobacco conference and festival unveiled potential new profit makers for the estimated 300 retailer attendees.
The other tobacco product (OTP) category is showing promise recently for many retailers, including major chains such as El Dorado, Ark.-based Murphy USA and Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard, the parent of the Circle K chain.
At the trade show, new flavors for Zyn, a pouch product from Swedish Match, as well as combustible hemp options from host company Smoker Friendly were popular.
Here’s a rundown of some standout products …
Vape: Juul
San Francisco-based Juul Labs showed its 3% menthol pods, which come in a pack of four.
Vape: ITG Brands
ITG Brands, Greensboro, N.C., with its blu e-cigarettes from Fontem Ventures, Charlotte, N.C., displayed its Mint-Sation, Mellon Time and Neon Dream pod options.
Vape: The Blinc Group
The Blinc Group, New York, displayed its Puffmod brand of vaping devices, which come in six exclusive colors.
Vape: Phix
Brea, Calif.-based Phix offered starter kits and pods in Strawberry, Spearmint, Butterscotch and Ice blends.
OTP: Kretek International
Tobacco-free, spit-free Dryft nicotine pouches are available through Moorpark, Calif.-based Kretek International.
OTP: Swedish Match
Zyn, a nicotine pouch from Richmond, Va.-based Swedish Match, debuted two new flavors: Smooth and Citrus.
Hemp, CBD: Just CBD
London-based Just CBD displayed an array of gummies and edibles, including some options for pets.
Hemp, CBD: Natural Organix
Las Vegas-based Natural Organix offered a range of medicinal remedies, many using kratom as a main ingredient.
Hemp, CBD: Smoker Friendly
With its machine-made, hemp-based combustible product, Boulder, Colo.-based Smoker Friendly offered retailers a nontobacco cigarette option.
Hemp, CBD: Solari Hemp
Solari Hemp, Longmont, Colo., offered an array of “farm-to-shelf” products, including edibles, capsules and oils.
Cigars: Al Capone
Miramar, Fla.-based Al Capone, a maker of hand-rolled cigars and cigarillos, ranks in the top seven in c-store brands for the subcategory, according to officials.
Cigars: Altadis USA
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Altadis USA is partnering with A.J. Fernandez Cigar Co., Doral, Fla., for its latest line of cigars, Trinidad Espiritu. The release coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Trinidad brand and also celebrates vintage Caribbean culture, the company said.
Cigars: General Cigar Co.
CAO Session cigars from General Cigar Co., Richmond, Va., use a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper around a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos.
Cigars: Drew Estates
Miami-based Drew Estates offered its signature Acid-branded cigars, along with other options.
Cigars: Indianhead Cigars
Indianhead Cigars, owned by Tabacalera Palma, Tamboril, Dominican Republic, offered Rough Rider and Cuban Aristocrat branded cigars.
Cigars: Kretek International
Kretek International also displayed cigarillos under the brand name Cuban Rounds, in Bolero, Mambo, Rumba and Sweets varieties.
Cigars: Mehari’s
Mehari’s, Duizel, The Netherlands, featured its Brazil, Ecuador, Java and Red Orient cigars.
Accessories: Apache Distribution
With an array of glass pipes and other tobacco accessories, Apache Distribution, Denver, showcased a number of novel designs.
Accessories: BIC Corp.
The latest themes from lighter maker BIC Corp., Shelton, Conn., include Animal Lover and Blown Glass.
Accessories: Lotus Group
Taking a cue from Landmark-branded beer, lighters from Lotus Group, Tamarac, Fla., mimic the form of a beer bottle.
Accessories: OCB USA
Glenview, Ill.-based OCB USA LLC, maker of OCB rolling papers and other accessories, displayed art-inspired trays.