Tobacco Business: What are your company’s plans for 2019?
Jacopo D’Alessandris: Our product portfolio now covers all major consumer needs when it comes to vapor product alternatives: sub-ohm closed systems via Cue Vapor, and nicotine salts rechargeable and disposable products with Leap and Leap Go. In 2019, EAS is focusing on aggressive distribution expansion for these two franchises. Our marketing will focus on supporting our retail partners, driving shoppers through their doors and helping them better manage their e-vapor category. EAS’s motto is “retailers first,” supporting and working in close partnership with traditional tobacco retailers. While some companies have decided to take an alternative route in light of the regulatory uncertainty, EAS is doubling its investment in our trade partners.
What category trends have you observed that will impact the market over the course of the year?
Responsible vaping should be and is driving the market. This encompasses both preventing youth access to these products—an absolute priority for all manufacturers and retailers—and allowing adult consumers to decide how much, if any, nicotine they want to vape. These will be the two drivers of differentiation, in my opinion. For example, EAS is the only company that offers different levels of nicotine, including a zero [nicotine option], for all its closed-system flavors for both Cue and Leap.
What products will you be featuring at the 2019 Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE)? What differentiates them in the market?
Both Cue and Leap will be featured at the TPE. Some unique aspects for each brand:
Cue Vapor:
- The only patented sub-ohm closed system in the U.S. market. It’s vaping made simple.
- A large selection of tobacco and nontobacco flavors.
- Each flavor is offered in three nicotine levels, including zero nicotine.
Leap Vapor—with nicotine salts:
- Double the liquid in each pod than the leading competitor.
- Double the battery size of the leading competitor.
- Large selection of tobacco and nontobacco flavors.
- Each flavor is offered in three nicotine levels, including zero nicotine.
- The only nicotine salt brand that offers both a rechargeable and a disposable option.
All EAS products come with our 100 percent product guarantee. As a sister company to Swisher, EAS has always prioritized product quality as well as consumer and customer satisfaction. If, for any reason, a customer is not satisfied or if a new regulatory mandate requires a different product assortment, EAS will take the products in question back. No questions asked.
How do you work with retailers to merchandise the category and your brands specifically? What advice would you give to retailers to make the most of the category’s profit potential?
We focus not only on selling in but also on helping our partners sell out. EAS deploys a full set of category management, shelf management, merchandising, compliance and promotional tools, and experts. We work with our retail partners to put together the right education materials and in-store advertising, and to make sure that products comply with the latest state and federal regulations. Unlike some of our competitors that consider retailers as simple distributors of products and blame them when it comes to youth access, we support retailers in their efforts to educate consumers and ensure youth aren’t purchasing vapor products. Their role is critical to ensure that only adults can access vapor products and that adult smokers receive the correct education and customer service regarding vapor alternatives.
, which is owned by Swisher International and manufactures the Leap and Cue vapor brands.){kind=link}