Declining Tobacco Sales in Small Convenience Stores

Aug.02.2022
Declining Tobacco Sales in Small Convenience Stores
Sales of tobacco in UK convenience stores fall 47% in three years, indicating a reduced dependence on tobacco sales.

According to researchers, this decline indicates a decreasing reliance on tobacco sales by corner shops and other small businesses. A team led by researchers from Edinburgh analyzed sales data from nearly 1,400 convenience stores in England, Scotland, and Wales. They compared typical weekly transactions in March, June, September, and December of 2016 to those of the same period in 2019.


In addition to tobacco products, the team also evaluated the sales of other frequently purchased items from convenience stores, including milk, bread, newspapers, and alcohol. Their investigative findings revealed a 47% decline in tobacco product sales over a three-year period. In 2016, only 11% of transactions involved tobacco, but that number decreased to 6% in 2019. The percentage of sales including both tobacco products and other items also decreased from 14% to 9%.


Although convenience stores saw a 16% decrease in average weekly sales between 2016 and 2019, tobacco products experienced a more significant drop in sales than any other merchandise. The next largest decrease was seen in newspaper and magazine sales, which decreased by 25%. In contrast, some products such as e-cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, and spirits saw an increase in sales over the three-year period. Despite a significant increase in the prices of tobacco products within this timeframe, their share of the store's total weekly revenue from sales dropped by 8%, going from 47% to 39%.


According to the team, the reliance of retailers on tobacco sales is declining in all regions of the UK. Stores in urban areas and economically deprived areas contribute more to weekly sales and overall tobacco product revenue than rural or affluent stores. However, over time, the decline in sales is greatest in these particular stores, narrowing the gap between regions. While tobacco products have been deemed necessary for the survival of convenience stores nationwide in the past, our new research suggests that tobacco is increasingly important for the business model of small retailers, weakening the argument of the tobacco industry. The survey results highlight the need to reduce the supply of local tobacco products to achieve the government's goal of eliminating smoking in the next decade.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry exchange and learning purposes.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is solely intended for industry exchange and research purposes.


Due to limitations in translation ability, the translated article may not fully reflect the original text. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


2FIRSTS aligns completely with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign-related issues and stances.


Information compiled here belongs to the original media and authors, and if there is any copyright infringement, please contact us for removal.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Philippine Customs Seizes Illegal Vape Products Worth Up to PHP 1.4 Billion in Navotas Warehouse
Philippine Customs Seizes Illegal Vape Products Worth Up to PHP 1.4 Billion in Navotas Warehouse
The Philippine Bureau of Customs seized illegal vape products worth an estimated PHP 1 billion to PHP 1.4 billion at a warehouse in Navotas City. Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the operation was the agency’s largest crackdown on illegal vape products since 2024.
Mar.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK Opens Applications for Vaping Products Duty and Duty Stamps Scheme From April 1
UK Opens Applications for Vaping Products Duty and Duty Stamps Scheme From April 1
HM Revenue and Customs announced that from April 1, 2026, UK vaping product manufacturers, importers and warehousekeepers can apply for approval under Vaping Products Duty (VPD) and the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme (VDS). Under new GOV.UK guidance, Vaping Products Duty will take effect on October 1, 2026 and will apply to all vaping liquids, whether they contain nicotine or not.
Apr.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia maritime officers seize nearly 16,500 vapes in suspected cross-border smuggling bid
Malaysia maritime officers seize nearly 16,500 vapes in suspected cross-border smuggling bid
According to Malay Mail and Bernama, Malaysia’s maritime enforcement agency intercepted a suspicious lorry at a jetty in Kedah’s Kuala Sanglang and seized nearly 16,500 vape devices worth more than RM500,000 (about US$125,000). Three men were detained for investigation, and the case is being probed under Malaysia’s Customs Act 1967.
Mar.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Report says illegal vapes “threaten UK high streets” as 55% of councils seized thousands last year
Report says illegal vapes “threaten UK high streets” as 55% of councils seized thousands last year
The latest annual Illegal Vapes and Nicotine Product Report says nearly 5 million illegal vapes have been seized over the last three years—equivalent to three seized every minute—with a street value of £39m (USD equivalent not provided in the source; exchange-rate basis not stated). It says 1.3 million were seized last year and that 55% of UK council areas seized thousands of illegal products over the year.
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Qnovia’s Heat-Free Inhalable Nicotine Replacement Therapy Posts Positive First-in-Human Data, Advances FDA and MHRA Filings as Funding Expands
Qnovia’s Heat-Free Inhalable Nicotine Replacement Therapy Posts Positive First-in-Human Data, Advances FDA and MHRA Filings as Funding Expands
U.S.-based medical startup Qnovia Inc. reported positive results from its first-in-human clinical trial of RespiRx, an inhalable nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) device designed to support smoking cessation.
Innovation
Feb.24
Russian Vape Industry Proposes State Monopoly on E-Liquid Production as Alternative to Ban
Russian Vape Industry Proposes State Monopoly on E-Liquid Production as Alternative to Ban
Russian business groups are trying to persuade the authorities to abandon plans to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and related liquids at both the federal and regional levels.
Apr.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai