Cigarette Labels Going Gory

Graphic Cigarette Labels that will appear on Cigarette Packs in September 2012

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has chosen the final nine health warnings which will appear on every cigarette pack and advertisement by September 2012. Allen Brothers encourages you to view the full story published in last week's New York Times.

As you can imagine, reactions have been mixed. There are some significant questions regarding the constitutionality of the Tobacco Control Act, especially in regard to the tobacco companies’ constitutional rights to free speech . So far, however, cigarette manufacturers are reserving comment. Allen Brothers will keep you updated of any updates on this story.

Follow-Up on the 2011 DOT Food Show: Foodservice Fuels C-Store Success

Hot Dog Roller Grills Remain Core C-Store Item

Following a three-day trip in St. Louis for the 2011 DOT Food Show, there's just one thing on my mind: Foodservice! Did you know Foodservice ranks third in convenience store sales behind just fuel and tobacco? With the ever-increasing restrictions on tobacco and the fluctuating state of oil throughout the world, the best way to protect margins in today's market is to look outside the box and inside the bun! Hot dog roller grill programs, pizza on-the-go, coffee and cappuccino, and slushie units are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the wide array of products and programs that are becoming increasingly available to convenience store operators on a daily basis.

The DOT Food Show was an eye-opening experience. Through seminars and interaction with industry leaders like Allen Brothers, the marketing and buying team observed the capabilities of the manufacturers, distributors, and retail owners to combine ingenuity and opportunity to create successful and lucrative sales. At Allen Brothers, we are committed to staying ahead of the curve. We are currently putting together a comprehensive Foodservice program that will empower our customers to take full advantage of this major profit driving division. The Allen Brothers Marketing Team has been posting pictures from the show of potential products on their Allen Brothers Facebook Page. We encourage all of our customers to visit our Facebook page and let us know what products you like best!

If you have any questions regarding foodservice or ways that Allen Brothers can help you grow your business, contact AB Today!

Today’s installment of “Norton’s Notes, A Merchandiser’s Perspective,” sets its sights on point of purchase sales and owner/manager involvement in the store setup. Our merchandising and marketing department are happy to answer any and all of your questions. For feedback or to have your question answered, email the Allen Brothers Inbox today at mailto:jwinning@abdelivers.com.

Question 1) How many items should a store owner carry at the counter-top?

Answer 1) The maximum that your space allows. There’s always apprehension about overloading a counter, and it’s a legitimate concern. But your customers can’t buy what they can’t see. The type of products at checkout have to be hot impulse items, this is no place for a slow-seller. Novelty candy, gum, mints, toys, this should be the focus. If an item has been on the counter for more than two weeks with minimal turnover, it’s time to shuffle product. But it’s never recommended to stack different types of products on top of one another. Give each item the opportunity to stand out to maximize your point of purchase sales, as shown below.

Question 2) Do you find that most store owners want to be involved in the process of merchandising and setting their store, or prefer to leave it up to you? And which scenario do you recommend?

Answer 2) Some owners are more hands on than others. They sometimes have specific plans for their store. Others will give me the freedom to setup their store as I see fit. Setting an appointment to plan the procedure is always a good idea so you’re not going in blind. Both scenarios have their ups and downs. But the more engaged a store owner is in the setup of a store, the more committed they likely will be to maintaining the allure of the store’s appearance.