Stocks of price marked tobacco packs run dry

In the few weeks since new EU tobacco legislation and standardised packaging was enforced for manufacturers, convenience retailers are already finding out-of-stocks and fits and starts in supply.

Just three weeks after the new laws, which also banned pricemarked packs (PMPs), Devon Premier retailer Dan Cocks said stocks of popular 10s with PMPs were already diminishing. “I’ve had my first note from Booker to say that L&B 10s in PMPs and Richmond 10s in PMPs would soon be substituted for larger formats in non-PMP formats.

“I’m surprised at how early this has happened, particularly as we had been told by the manufacturers that it would be ‘business as usual’ for much longer. I suspect the manufacturers stopped producing PMPs long before the 20 May deadline. Instead, it seems they were focusing on limited-edition packs and new product development in 17s and 19s, which now feels like a waste of time.”

Bipin Haria of Seaford News in East Sussex is also experiencing supply glitches at his local wholesaler. “I’ve not come across standardised packs yet, but PMPs are becoming harder to find. Some days they are available in my wholesaler and others they aren’t. These fits and starts are frustrating for us, but particularly for adult smokers who still don’t fully understand why this is happening. Last week we spent lots of time explaining to shoppers that PMPs were no longer available and this week we’re having to explain that we’ve got them again. It’s confusing and appears unprofessional.”

Bestway group trading director Richard Booth said PMPs were being replaced by manufacturers: “Generally, stocks fluctuate depending on deliveries. We do not think there has been any significant stock-building by customers because many of the packs will be available for some months. However we are seeing some PMPs being replaced with non-PMPs by the manufacturers. As yet, all of the smaller pack sizes are still available.”