The Tobacco gantry change, introduced nationally in April 2015 added restrictions on how retailers should merchandise, promote and display Tobacco products. The primary objective of this change was to reduce uptake of smoking in younger people, as well to change the buying habits of established smokers. Retailer opinion on whether these changes have had an effect is divided. In anticipation of further changes to Tobacco retailing are due in May 2016 so we’ve carried out research into how Tobacco sales have changed in the nine months since going dark.

With regards to Tobacco gantries? We don’t think retailers should be worried about sales. As well as the data so far painting a positive picture, markets where these changes have been in place for some time like Australia have only seen availability negatively affected. Considering the lack of alternatives to smoking, poor brand choice is unlikely to reduce sales in the category as a whole but may instead drive shoppers to secondary choices or even completely new brands.

We’re currently carrying out research into the Australian market and how plain packaging, introduced in 2012 has changed habits and affected retailers. Click here to subscribe to TRDP Insights and be the first to receive this story.