Page 21 - TOB Magazine Jan/Feb 2013

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TOBACCO OUTLET BUSINESS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
Top-to-Top
Comparison
Compared to 2012’s list, here’s how the tobacco outlet industry’s
Top 50 Chains add up for 2013:
In 2013’s list there are 2,182 total stores, versus 2,144 total stores in 2012’s list,
a slight increase of nearly two percent
One chain went out of business from last year’s list
(Carolina Discount Tobacco)
One chain merged with its former competitor
(Tobacco Connection/Big Smoke)
One chain split into two separate chains
(Puff Super Value, Puff-n-Snuff Incorporated)
One chain is new to the list
(Blue Ridge Tobacco)
13 chains (26 percent) have increased their store count by at least
one store since the 2012 survey;
seven (14 percent) have increased by more than one store
Four chains (8 percent) saw store declines, but three of those reduced
their count by only one or two stores
31 chains (62 percent) have stayed the
same in store count
88 percent of TOB’s Top 50 chains have either kept a
consistent store count or increased it
when our customers know who we
are already. We’re reinvesting in our
existing locations and it turned out to
be a good investment.We’re very happy
we did it.
SILVERMAN: We remodeled some
of our stores. The landlord sold the
building where one of our stores was
located, and we were forced to leave
very abruptly. Fortunately, we found
a location close by and were able to
construct a new store and move in less
than 45 days.
Facing the Challenges
TOB: What was your biggest
challenge this past year? What do you
perceive to be your biggest challenge
for 2013?
COLLETT: Our biggest challenge
continues to be differentiating ourselves
as a retailer in the marketplace, and the
way we overcome that is with customer
service and suggestive selling. That is
what has made us successful so far and
we have to keep focused on that.
EWALD: One of the everyday
challenges of 2012 will continue into the
upcoming year.The economy is having an
effect on the purchasing habits of many