Swedish Match Launches General Snus Campaign

[deebocools]

I agree about the existing smokeless market in the U.S. being an untapped resource. My guess is they're trying to avoid the association with dip, instead appearing in "upscale" environments with their crazy swedish lip drug. It could be a mistake, but We'll see.

I think refridgeration is a good idea, I mean, getting a tin and popping in a cold portion/pinch is a treat that dippers don't know about till they try it. But like mentioned earlier, that doesn't seem to be who they're going for.

[G_Jones]

I keep going into tobacco/cigar shops and asking for snus and only finding Camel/Marlboro. I have several times been told that those are the "only" kind, and I have to whip out whatever can I am carrying. I am lucky to be in a major city which seems to have the only few stores in the state to actually buy some General.

I would think several snusers could descend upon a local shop and talk them into stocking snus

[timholian]

I would think several snusers could descend upon a local shop and talk them into stocking snus

If any Houston folks want to do this exact thing, I am more than up to it!
Great idea G_Jones

[PipenSnus]

Lastly, of the 600 stores that sell General, the three around me that are listed as selling it on Generals website have never heard of it.

My local brick and mortar tobacconist is listed on the General site, and they do indeed carry it (but no other brands of snus). In fact, the clerk told me they're getting calls from all over the state, and surrounding states, from customers who can't find it locally and want to buy some from the tobacco shop by mail order. They're doing so much mail order that they're having trouble keeping it in stock. So the word is out, and the demand is there. So I would suggest to anyone who can't get it locally that they get a bunch of people to call their local tobacco dealer and ask for it. With enough demand, the stores will start carrying it.

[bforse]

If any Houston folks want to do this exact thing, I am more than up to it!
Great idea G_Jones

I'd be up to it!

I did see on the General retailer list that Specs in Houston carried it. I've walked into my local specs (in Kemah) asking for it and they just looked at me kinda funny. They had no clue what snus was.

[shikitohno]

I really don't see the refrigeration as a big problem. Your local gas station or grocers isn't paying for that fridge, Swedish Match is. At least, that's how I've always understood such things working. Obviously the need for a fridge hasn't kept Camel Snus from getting wide distribution, and SM can afford to make the initial investment. I've found one other market that goes nuts over snus: restaurant workers. Damn near everyone working in a restaurant is a nicotine fiend, it's a high stress environment, and they rarely get to step out for a smoke break. I can't say for sure if it would make back the money they'd invest in fridges and such, but if SM can tap that, not only do they get a huge market, but these guys become walking ads for snus. Unless they only snus while at work and smoke at other times, if you can get them to use snus exclusively, their family and friends are all going to notice that the cigarettes have disappeared and now there's this can that keeps coming out.

[PipenSnus]

I thought the white portions didn't need refrigeration anyway. So why not start out by selling only the whites in the gas stations, mom & pop groceries, & etc.?

Once the number of snusers grows, and they start asking for the original portions, retailers will be happy to install mini-fridges for the originals.

[shikitohno]

Whites need refrigeration as well. They're more dry, so perhaps they can go longer without refrigeration and not go off, but they still need it.