Free CSNews Webcast Will Explore OTP Evolution

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Other tobacco products (OTP) — which includes cigars, smokeless, electronic cigarettes, papers, and pipe and loose tobacco — accounted for almost 5 percent of in-store sales and gross margin dollars in the convenience store industry last year, according to the 2015 Convenience Store News Industry Report. Convenience store operators know the OTP category continues to change at a rapid pace, presenting them with numerous tough decisions.

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, CSNews will conduct a free webcast featuring David Bishop, managing director of sales and consulting firm Balvor LLC, and Joe Teller, director of category management at OTP supplier Swedish Match.

Teller will provide the latest trends and insights in the OTP category, focusing on the ever-changing and highly competitive cigars segment. Innovation, packaging, manufacturer programs and new growth segments are driving this important segment to new heights.

Bishop will share insights and perspectives derived from the Balvor Retail Composite benchmarks, focusing on key trends including a look at the state of moist smokeless by price segment, the rise of small cigar pouches, giving snus some added context, and the changing look of electronic nicotine devices. He will provide his thoughts on how these trends will likely influence retailer strategies going forward and, in turn, impact OTP profitability.

This one-hour free webcast, entitled “Winning the Backbar Battle: Other Tobacco Products Are Key to Overall Tobacco Category Growth,” starts at 2 p.m. eastern time.

When registering, attendees will have the opportunity to suggest topics and questions in advance that will be incorporated into this interactive webinar.

To register, click here.