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TOBACCO BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
R
eflecting back can often facilitate moving
ahead. As 2014 came to a close, top
tobacco outlet retailers did both, providing
insight regarding last year’s positive and negative
business issues, which, in turn, led to forging
forward with ideas and expectations for this new
year.
Generally speaking, the vapor category
and government intervention were the most
commonly mentioned topics (positive and
negative, respectively) of the year, with each
retailer putting their own individual business
spin on those and a variety of other top-of-mind
issues.
Here are some “rewind” and “fast-forward”
viewpoints from top-level tobacco retailers that
range in size from seven stores to more than 120.
2014’s Positive Mojo
What was the best news/business issue top
players had all year?
As expected, many mentioned the growth of
the vapor category, including Brad Mahoney,
partner (along with his dad, Paul) of Puff Super
Value based in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, now
with 16 stores. “We remodeled most stores to
fit a larger variety of vapor products,” he reports.
“Although, we didn’t change our focus totally
away from the core tobacco products in case of
vapor regulation.”
Wild Bill’sTobacco with 56 stores inClawson,
Michigan also made room for vapor growth,
which was part of its overall chain growth. “We
improved our business in 2014 by expanding
eight stores—some doubled and even tripled in
Tobacco Business International
announces its indus-
try’s Top 50 retailers, some of which press the replay
button on their 2014 business issues, as well as jump
ahead to their 2015 perspectives.
JANUA Y/F BRUARY 5