Cigarettes
Smokeless tobacco remained strong in c-stores in 2023, according to Circana, as the segment was up 11% in dollar sales. Electronic smoking devices were also up in dollar sales, at 2.1%, according to Circana, despite ongoing regulation affecting the segment.
NielsenIQ data showed total tobacco down 2.5% in dollar sales and nearly 6% in unit sales for the grocery, drug, mass merchandise and convenience channels. Cigarettes were also down in dollar sales, at 4.4%, and unit sales dipped 7.5% from last year. Smokeless tobacco, meanwhile, saw a 10% jump in sales as well as a 5.9% increase in unit sales. The chart below shows c-store sales data from the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2023.
E-Cigarettes
McLane distribution data shows a decline in shipments to c-stores of most e-cigarette products in 2023, except for kits and accessories. As a whole, vapor was down 4.9% compared to the year prior. The chart below shows c-store sales data from calendar year 2023.
