Mastering Foodservice Training

fast facts:

Adam Long, senior category manager for Rutter’s c-stores. The Rutter’s Cos., headquartered in York, Pa., owns and operates 82 retail sites. • More Americans currently smoke cannabis (16%) than combustible cigarettes (11%), according to Gallup. “We pay particular attention to how the gaps • The FDA received approximately 1 between the price segments evolve and what million PMTAs for synthetic nicotine those gaps likely mean in terms of customer products. shifts in the category, then respond accordingly with our brand offerings.” • Oral nicotine is up in dollar sales and

“With the recessionary environment today, we volume for each of the last four months, are seeing a trend where customers are wanting according to NielsenIQ. to see better value and potentially cheaper cigarettes,” said Manuyag. “But like anything, there is give and take on both the decision and the impact to customers. We will continue to review this to see if a switch in program is needed in the future.” “We do not carry fourth-tier cigarettes at this point, but customers are asking for a cheaper option at our locations. Our cheaper cigarettes, such as Pall Mall and Lucky Strikes, are up more than our premium brands,” noted Sean Bumgarner, vice president for Scrivener Oil Co., which runs 12 Signal Food Stores in southwest Missouri. Regulations and the economy aren’t the only influential factors. Perhaps more impactful is the growing phenomenon of dual or triple use across tobacco/nicotine product families. “New emerging categories are teaching us a great deal. There is significant dual and multicategory usage, with evidence of customers using different products on different occasions. A cigarette smoker may, for example, use a premium product when out socially, a discount cigarette when smoking alone, and a vapor or nicotine pouch product when out and about in public spaces where it’s difficult for them to enjoy traditional combustibles,” Long explained. Whereas each segment of the tobacco category traditionally had its loyal and separate customer base, evolving demographic splits produce add-on sales opportunities. Such market shifts push tobacco/nicotine category managers to not only stay abreast of regulations and economic conditions, but also adopt more flexibility. Adjusting the backbar to reflect changing consumer interest will deliver a better return on investment for this key in-store category. CSD

CANDY, GUM & MINTS SEE SALES MOMENTUM

As candy sales continue to rebound, retailers are coping with out-ofstocks and finding creative ways to merchandise the category.

Carol Brzozowski • Contributing Editor

With fewer people wearing masks

in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, convenience stores are experiencing an uptick in candy, gum and mint sales and are strategizing to maximize sales in the back half of 2022.