Juul Expands Distribution To Nisa and Costcutter Stores

Source from:  Talking Retail 07/04/2019

aping brand Juul has extended its distribution to include Nisa and Costcutter stores.

Retailers now have access to Juul Starter Kits and Juulpods following an agreement with Nisa, while Bestway Wholesale has extended listings to another 17 depots (six Batleys depots and 11 Bestway depots), after a “successful” trial in an initial 10 “test” depots to “ensure adoption and compliance of Juul Labs’ Challenge 25 policy”.

John Patterson, sales director for Juul Labs UK, said “Independent and symbol retailers are responsible for almost half of all tobacco sales in the UK but only around 10% of vape sales so the commercial opportunity for them is huge – if they can get their fair share of the category.

“From a Juul perspective, they can also play a key role in helping us reach our goal of improving the lives of adult smokers and eliminating cigarettes.

“Their location, community standing, personal service and long opening hours means that their stores are key destinations for adult smokers and ideal locations for Juul to be stocked in so we can reach as many adult smokers as possible and encourage them to ‘Make the Switch’”.

The brand estimates that the agreements could potentially give around 10,000 retailers access to the Juul portfolio of products.

Retailers will be required to sign up to Juul Labs’ Challenge 25 policy, which requires all retailers to ask for authorised identification from shoppers if they appear to be under 25, to prove that they are over 18.

Patterson added: “The vape market is changing and while there is still a place for open systems and liquids to satisfy current vapers, adult smokers are looking for simpler, cleaner vaping devices, like Juul, which gives them the nicotine delivery of cigarettes without the complexity associated with open systems.

“Pod systems are the fastest growing sector in the vaping category and independent retailers’ fixtures should be reflecting this. Pods are not a fad or trend but are where the category is heading as smokers look for products that are simple and easy to use.”  Enditem