IQOS Heat not Burn

Philip Morris doubles down on its IQOS commitment

PHILIP MORRIS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS DOUBLING ITS FIELD SALES FORCE FOR IQOS AND ADDING A NEW DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR RETAILERS

Philip Morris has demonstrated its commitment to its market leading IQOS heat-not-burn smoke free product by doubling its field sales force and unveiling a new Digital Trade Engagement platform for retailers.

The field sales expansion is geared to helping “thousands more retailers” stock IQOS and HEETS tobacco sticks.

The company will focus on 18 more cities and regions throughout the UK and will boost the support it gives to general trade retailers who stock the products. Dedicated and fully trained sales representatives will be allocated to retailers as growing demand in the heated tobacco category increases its market share nationally.

The UK is now one of the fastest growing markets for HEETS in Europe, says the company, with first-quarter share among all cigarettes and heated tobacco sticks reaching 2% in the UK. In London, HEETS’ share has surpassed 5%, which is more than double this time last year.

Kate O’Dowd, Head of Commercial Planning UK and Ireland, said: “Philip Morris is fully committed to the convenience channel and has remodelled its commercial business to support retailers selling IQOS and HEETS heated tobacco sticks. Only by putting retailers first can we achieve our smoke-free ambitions; doubling our field force and expanding into 18 new regions, will strengthen a retail community that’s driving large-scale switching, faster.”

To support the retail trade further, Philip Morris has also launched a new Digital Trade Engagement platform offering a range of tools, resources and new support services that will help retailers get the most out of stocking IQOS and HEETS.

The site will also offer the latest trade incentives for IQOS and HEETS stockists and features fast-track delivery on HEETS variants, guaranteeing retailers receive their stock within 48 hours. PML has also increased the number of educational resources and online training tools available, to improve knowledge of its expanding portfolio of smoke-free products.

There are now nine different HEETS variants ranging from classic tobacco to menthol blends. Each pack contains 20 tobacco sticks at £5 RSP per pack. Retailers already signed up to the Digital Trade Engagement programme can explore the site here while those interested in becoming IQOS stockists can contact the Philip Morris support team on 0333 320 0777 or email at heetwave@iqos.co.uk.