Tobacco tax increases aren’t going away any time soon, and their effect on convenience stores is substantial — but they’re nothing that resourceful convenience store retailers can’t handle. Tobacco is already among the most heavily regulated categories in the store, and tax rates have gotten out of control as lawmakers in every state use taxation…

The National Advisory Group (NAG) Spring Leadership Series concluded its five-week run on June 16, after informative virtual sessions that discussed topics ranging from consumer trends to technology to fuel disruption. Moderated by NAG Executive Director and CStore Decisions Editor-in-Chief John Lofstock, the series dissected some of the most pressing issues facing convenience store retailers…

This BIC Lighters series allows consumers to escape as they immerse themselves in the countryside aesthetic that has taken over the mainstream. The lighters in this series are made in the U.S., with a suggested retail price of $2.09 per lighter. BIC USA Inc. www.shopbic.com/newinquiry

Leading U.S. importer, marketer and distributor of specialty tobacco products Kretek International announced a series of senior management promotions to advance company growth across its subsidiaries. Jason Carignan, currently chief marketing officer of Kretek, will become president of Phillips & King International and TMG International. Carignan’s new role will involve the strategic expansion and digital…

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, customers are looking to treat themselves with something sweet, and the chocolate category at convenience stores is reaping the rewards. Chocolate sales at c-stores increased 8.5% to $2.76 billion for the 52 weeks ending May 1, 2021, vs. one year ago, according to NielsenIQ Retail Measurement Services, Total…

E-cigarette maker Juul Labs issued a statement responding to its settlement agreement with the state of North Carolina reached on June 28 in a lawsuit filed by the state Attorney General Josh Stein alleging Juul marketed its products to minors. The company agreed to pay $40 million to North Carolina and the e-cigarette maker will…

Calico Brands Inc. announced the launch of its newly redesigned corporate website at www.calicobrands.com. The new website features a streamlined, modern design, improved functionality and navigation, and easy access to essential product information. The site showcases all product lines available under the Scripto and King brand names and features updated product descriptions and details. It […]

The term ‘modified risk tobacco products’ came onto the scene after regulators became concerned that tobacco products marketed using words like “light” or “mild” might give consumers the impression that the products posed less of a health risk than other tobacco products. Consequently, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, enacted into law in…

Last month, in a National Advisory Group (NAG) webinar titled “The Future of Tobacco: Reshaping the back bar amidst legislative threats and PMTA,” Grier Bailey, executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, shared key advocacy goals and considerations for convenience store retailers. “We have to protect — to the degree that we can…

The late-April announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it plans to effectively ban all flavors of mass-produced cigars (as well as menthol cigarettes) within the next year sent a loud warning signal to c-store operators, for whom flavored cigars are a popular item. The proposed ban is intended to “help significantly reduce…