According to data from IRI, a Chicago-based market research company, the total sales of vape in U.S. convenience store channels during the 52-week period ending January 1, 2023 (the whole year of 2022) was US$6.93 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.3%; the number of products sold It was 438 million sticks, a year-on-year decrease of 4.2%; the average customer unit price was US$15.82, a year-on-year increase of 14%.
In response to the US convenience store channel market, Rick Staley, the marketing manager of distributor Tri Star Energy, said that it is expanding its investment in disposables, nicotine pouches and other non-tobacco products, because this type of product is currently very hot, and it is preparing to sell JUUL Move to a higher shelf (meaning less investment in it).
Founded in 2000, Tri Star Energy operates Twice Daily and Sudden Service convenience stores. By 2021, it has provided wholesale distribution services to more than 14 states in the United States. It acquired Alabama-based Herndon Oil Corp. and its convenience store brand Southern Traders in 2021, including 13 Southern Traders convenience stores, as well as Shell’s fuel distribution business, and has a good understanding of e-cigarette convenience store channels.
Convenience store operator RaceTrac operates 558 convenience stores in the South, and its category manager Eric Pewte RBA ugh said that he hopes to strengthen the conversion of tobacco/nicotine consumers across categories by increasing the popularity of e-cigarettes. He believes that JUUL promotions will return, coinciding with VUSE’s increased brand awareness. This will bring double opportunities for sales growth and also provide consumers with more valuable purchase references.
Eric Pewterbaugh further pointed out that inflation will prompt smokers to consider choosing vape more. He said that in 2023, the rise in cigarette prices will accelerate the conversion of smokers to vape. Data show that more and more double-category or even multi-category smokers are switching from combustible tobacco to other tobacco products. Although the current regulatory tightening in the United States will have a certain impact on the market, there is no doubt that atomized electronic cigarettes will continue to maintain sales growth nationwide, and electronic cigarettes will continue to exist as a tobacco product category.
Eric Pewterbaugh’s view is supported by data on declining sales of tobacco accessories. According to market research firm IRI, in the past 52 weeks ending January 1, 2023 (full year 2022), smokeless tobacco products (such as nicotine pouches) have the strongest growth in tobacco/nicotine products in the U.S. convenience store channel category. As evidence; during the same period, the total sales of matches in the United States were 150,000 boxes, a year-on-year decrease of 28.7%, with sales of 279,000 US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 13%; lighter sales were 300 million, a year-on-year decrease of 7.6%, and sales of 613 million US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 3.2% .
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