“Big Tobacco is winning big. And no, that’s not just because the giants are selling more cigarettes and rolling tobacco. They’re also making serious gains in the vaping market. A quick look at the winning brands says it all. Vype (BAT), Logic (JTI) and Altria-backed Juul have all enjoyed substantial growth. Juul was a particular winner, adding an extra £16.9m in sales [Nielsen 52 w/e 9 January 2021]. Meanwhile, Vype is up 59% or £16.5m and remains the market leader, while Logic has grown 34% or £9.2m. During lockdowns, there has been a major channel shift away from specialist stores, which have been forced to close. These outlets now account for just 20% to in-store spend, says Kantar, down from 41% the previous year. “As they fell into the category of ‘non-essential’ shops, adult vapers have had to look elsewhere to stock up on e-liquids and devices, turning to trusted local [convenience] shops and supermarkets,” says Lyle Mitchley, reduced risk products and brand portfolio manager of JTI UK.”
ARTICLE LINK: Big wins for Big Tobacco: vaping category report 2021
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