Northerner and Snus US Retail Distribution Questions

[Mr. Snuffleupagus]

+3 on Grov Loose!

[danielan]

The more well known it is, the more likely snus is to be targeted by anti-tobacco zealots.

Marlboro and Camel have made it well known. It is being targeted now. IMO, the best we can do now is to try and get the truth out about it.

[UTVol10]

We will begin shipping around the first of July in PA, NJ, PA and KY. We are currently working on several other states, including TN Redsfan.

This is great news! I know here in Knoxville, TN, I've been purchasing some of the General products offered by some of the tobacco shops here in town. Of course I try to show some of the guys some of the other products that I've been using to show them some of the other popular brands out there and they seem pretty receptive to Swedish snus. From what I understand, they've been selling out of all of their General products, especially the original and white portions, and they started selling the large mint portion a few months ago and a lot of people have started to switch from Camel to General mint (the los still hasn't taken off much here though). I have a feeling something like Thunder Frosted ES would fly off the shelves here!

[redsfan1005]

It may seem stupid to you, but there's a good reason some of us would prefer it remain less known. The more well known it is, the more likely snus is to be targeted by anti-tobacco zealots. If snus can remain reasonably priced in retail stores, I'd rather be able to buy it down the road than have to wait for it to arrive from Sweden. But if it's going to cost $7/can it doesn't make any sense to go through retail when I can buy online at a much better rate. I have friends spread out across enough states, I can dodge the insane taxes of NY by having it sent elsewhere and forwarded on to me. I don't mind paying fair and reasonable taxes, but I refuse to pay taxes that are designed solely to punish me for choosing to use tobacco just because there's a chance kids might buy it more often at a lower tax rate.

It understood that you would feel this way, being in New York after all. I live in a state that barely taxes smokeless tobacco, and I would be fine paying 5 dollars a can for snus. The truth in all of this is snus is not a need for anybody, you can function without nicotine. It is something for pleasure. I honestly am more concerned about the possibility that is could have a positive effect on the number of smokers in the United States. I don't have a problem with any smokeless tobacco user, because what they do doesn't hurt others. I have a huge problem with smokers (and yes I was one) who have no consideration for those around them. My daughter shouldn't have to inhale you second hand smoke because you can't be kind enough not to smoke around non smokers. It may seem hypocritical for me to say that when I did this for 10 years, but I learned from my mistakes. I personally plan to give up all tobacco at some point. I see snus as a pleasurable way to quit smoking, something the patch just couldn't give me. But bottom line is, if it is that important to you, you should be willing to pay whatever the cost is. Don't think that the anti tobacco folks won't get the mail order business (oh wait a minute, they already did). But I suppose anti tobacco legislation is another topic altogether.

[UTVol10]

I just want to add that while I would like to see snus more widely available here in the US, I feel like there should be some middle ground with product placement. I would much rather see snus sold in places like tobacco shops alongside cigars, pipe tobacco, and those types of products instead of having it sold in every gas station in town. I think if the products are marketed correctly, snus can be sold here in the states "under the radar" without raising the flag of anti-tobacco organizations immediately and it would keep the Swedish products less known but maintain a steady market. Of course, I'm in the same situation as redsfan too--here in TN I can pick up a can of General for about 3 bucks so the taxes aren't bad at all.

[shikitohno]

To avoid making an unnecessary thread (I tried finding the one about Northerner's retail operation, but search failed me), I've got a question for the guys in charge of distro. Any chance you could get your retailers a mini-fridge or something? Every store in NYC seems to just have it sitting on the counter in a glass case. Poorly stored snus doesn't make the best first impression. Also, for what it's worth guys, being in NY isn't an issue. I live within easy distance of the PA border, where I can go get my smokeless much cheaper. Of course, those were year old posts, so who knows if you guys are still reading this.

[rickcharles606]

To avoid making an unnecessary thread (I tried finding the one about Northerner's retail operation, but search failed me), I've got a question for the guys in charge of distro. Any chance you could get your retailers a mini-fridge or something? Every store in NYC seems to just have it sitting on the counter in a glass case. Poorly stored snus doesn't make the best first impression. Also, for what it's worth guys, being in NY isn't an issue. I live within easy distance of the PA border, where I can go get my smokeless much cheaper. Of course, those were year old posts, so who knows if you guys are still reading this.

Hey Shikotohno, haven't seen you around lately. Good to see you. You may want to read this thread :-) http://www.snuson.com/forum/showthre...-new-varieties

Short version, our manufacturers have said that their snus will maintain it's moisture levels and high quality for at least 4 months without refrigeration. Therefore, we don't use mini fridges in the retailers, because it's an additional expense and the retailers despise them, lol. We always rotate out our product to ensure that our customers have the freshest product available. So to answer your question, no we will not be providing fridges for the retailers. Which shop do you visit in NY?

[GoVegan]

Hey Shikotohno, haven't seen you around lately. Good to see you. You may want to read this thread :-) http://www.snuson.com/forum/showthre...-new-varieties

Short version, our manufacturers have said that their snus will maintain it's moisture levels and high quality for at least 4 months without refrigeration. Therefore, we don't use mini fridges in the retailers, because it's an additional expense and the retailers despise them, lol. We always rotate out our product to ensure that our customers have the freshest product available. So to answer your question, no we will not be providing fridges for the retailers. Which shop do you visit in NY?

Rick - your not marketing your products right. What you need to do is say your products were designed to be eco-friendly by not requiring refrigeration and charge $1 more a can.

[Snusdog]

Rick - your not marketing your products right. What you need to do is say your products were designed to be eco-friendly by not requiring refrigeration and charge $1 more a can.

OK let's review.............so far this week GV has suggested

1) we all eat dookie burgers

and

2) we pay even more for our snus

Bro!!!!!..........you're killing us...........what is it................did your fleshlight break or something....................is Gellivare still not in stock................did you wake up in a cold sweat with the realization that every time you breath in you ingest billions of non-plant-life lifeforms.............thereby violating the Vegan code.................what is it........you can tell us............we're here to help


In the meantime................

Rick..............tell retailers that the snus will NEVER go bad because the manufacturers have added all sorts of chemicals to it and besides the snus is made entirely of fiberglass................therefore they need to sell if for a buck fifty or no one is going to touch it

It might also help if you serviced each account in a full HAZMAT suit

There.............. see...............sound business advice..................that makes everyone happy

[alexdal]

American goverment sometime looks very stupid. (sorry I'm not anti american)

America say now that tobacco is the evil because people die....
In American the average is 70 y.o. , in Japan thay smokes double but averege is 86 y.o. the first in the world.
Japanese are very thin, drink tea and eat very little fat, and no sugar.
Americans eat a lot 60% are over 200pouds eat 3500 calories a day, move on wheelchair, drink coffee with half pound of sugar and butter everywhere, etc etc

I think that americans die because too cars, too food and not for tobacco.
If for genetic ones have to die for cancer, he will die for cancer, because is written on dna

Smoking too much could increase but why japanese and also italians live a lot smoking a lot?
(in Italy every single girl start smoking at 12yo, about 80% of girls smoke at school, and 30% of males, and this since '60) but in Italy the averge is 85 just an year less Japan.
We use oil instead of tons of butter and if we become 180 pounds we start a very strict diet)

Instead America say all the deaths are for tobacco and write false report saying that snus can cause mounth cancer, but no one in the world had a mounth cancer for tobacco (no one more of the non user)

And for last in America people like a lot guns, guns really kill a lot of people, first death cause for teen ager, not smoking

[GN Tobacco Sweden AB]

American goverment sometime looks very stupid. (sorry I'm not anti american)

America say now that tobacco is the evil because people die....
In American the average is 70 y.o. , in Japan thay smokes double but averege is 86 y.o. the first in the world.
Japanese are very thin, drink tea and eat very little fat, and no sugar.
Americans eat a lot 60% are over 200pouds eat 3500 calories a day, move on wheelchair, drink coffee with half pound of sugar and butter everywhere, etc etc

I think that americans die because too cars, too food and not for tobacco.
If for genetic ones have to die for cancer, he will die for cancer, because is written on dna

Smoking too much could increase but why japanese and also italians live a lot smoking a lot?
(in Italy every single girl start smoking at 12yo, about 80% of girls smoke at school, and 30% of males, and this since '60) but in Italy the averge is 85 just an year less Japan.
We use oil instead of tons of butter and if we become 180 pounds we start a very strict diet)

Instead America say all the deaths are for tobacco and write false report saying that snus can cause mounth cancer, but no one in the world had a mounth cancer for tobacco (no one more of the non user)

And for last in America people like a lot guns, guns really kill a lot of people, first death cause for teen ager, not smoking

I love America and Americans but i agree with brother Alexendal .
Now about Northerner Distribution To USA i belive and i know Frank and Rick will just make it in USA Frank has vision and Rick is Guy who has knowliege of USA market and not only .....so smaller companis some times are far better prapered to noveltys and fillengs of masses . Good Luck to both of you and we are behind you )

[truthwolf1]

FOr Italy.

One thing you forgot to mention is that Americans are under a lot of stress, at least the one's working full-time and dont get any real vacation time like you guys do (I think your country is in the top for days off a year).
We work longer hours with shorter lunch periods and have long ass commutes sitting in a vehicle. Our food is contaminated with all sorts of mysteries and the fast food presence is blasted into everyone's brains almost everywhere you breathe.

If you took the average slob and dropped him in Italy, I am sure within a few years he would slim down and become more relaxed.

I agree that it is a choice but there are many things within our American culture that are stacked against us.

[spirit72]

American goverment sometime looks very stupid. (sorry I'm not anti american)

America say now that tobacco is the evil because people die....
In American the average is 70 y.o. , in Japan thay smokes double but averege is 86 y.o. the first in the world.
Japanese are very thin, drink tea and eat very little fat, and no sugar.
Americans eat a lot 60% are over 200pouds eat 3500 calories a day, move on wheelchair, drink coffee with half pound of sugar and butter everywhere, etc etc

I think that americans die because too cars, too food and not for tobacco.
If for genetic ones have to die for cancer, he will die for cancer, because is written on dna

Smoking too much could increase but why japanese and also italians live a lot smoking a lot?
(in Italy every single girl start smoking at 12yo, about 80% of girls smoke at school, and 30% of males, and this since '60) but in Italy the averge is 85 just an year less Japan.
We use oil instead of tons of butter and if we become 180 pounds we start a very strict diet)

Instead America say all the deaths are for tobacco and write false report saying that snus can cause mounth cancer, but no one in the world had a mounth cancer for tobacco (no one more of the non user)

And for last in America people like a lot guns, guns really kill a lot of people, first death cause for teen ager, not smoking

When you're right, you're right!

[shikitohno]

Hey Shikotohno, haven't seen you around lately. Good to see you. You may want to read this thread :-) http://www.snuson.com/forum/showthre...-new-varieties

Short version, our manufacturers have said that their snus will maintain it's moisture levels and high quality for at least 4 months without refrigeration. Therefore, we don't use mini fridges in the retailers, because it's an additional expense and the retailers despise them, lol. We always rotate out our product to ensure that our customers have the freshest product available. So to answer your question, no we will not be providing fridges for the retailers. Which shop do you visit in NY?

So far I've hit up the Mini-mart on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, and Bedford Magazines and Smokes on Bedford ave. It's pretty funny, but the same stuff costs an extra dollar or two in Manhattan. Don't know if you guys know, but the location on the map for the Mini-Mart at 89 2nd Ave is wrong. It's actually about halfway up the next block north, in between 5th and 6th streets. No big deal, I was just a bit confused trying to find it at first, as I'm more an East Village/Williamsburg roamer on my voyages down there to buy records. And I imagine you guys are trying, but you may want to pay a visit to some other stores and try to expand in different *ahem* styles of mini-marts. I don't mind (hell, would even buy one if I wasn't going to have to deal with regular tests for work in a few months) but those two places both have a head shop vibe going on. I haven't visited the Bedford store in a few months, but I did just go to the 2nd ave one Saturday. Both of them had a metric-assload of bongs chilling in the front windows, and varying levels of bowls/pipes and other paraphernalia on offer when I went. It's unfair, but this sort of association certainly isn't going to help things when the Think-of-the-children brigade starts complaining. I think expanding to a couple more restrained locations down there would certainly help.

One other question for you. Is there any way to order some varieties that they don't stock? I see Gots Grå listed on the website as one of the brands you can get, and I'd love to be able to buy some. I wouldn't mind having to pay up front if I had to, so that I could go grab a roll of Gots Grå lös when it arrived. At the very least, it might help by showing shop owners there are some detected snusers around.

Concerning the unfit Americans thing, there's two big ones you guys left out. We also are chronically sleep deprived, and don't get nearly enough exercise.

[rickcharles606]

So far I've hit up the Mini-mart on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, and Bedford Magazines and Smokes on Bedford ave. It's pretty funny, but the same stuff costs an extra dollar or two in Manhattan. Don't know if you guys know, but the location on the map for the Mini-Mart at 89 2nd Ave is wrong. It's actually about halfway up the next block north, in between 5th and 6th streets. No big deal, I was just a bit confused trying to find it at first, as I'm more an East Village/Williamsburg roamer on my voyages down there to buy records. And I imagine you guys are trying, but you may want to pay a visit to some other stores and try to expand in different *ahem* styles of mini-marts. I don't mind (hell, would even buy one if I wasn't going to have to deal with regular tests for work in a few months) but those two places both have a head shop vibe going on. I haven't visited the Bedford store in a few months, but I did just go to the 2nd ave one Saturday. Both of them had a metric-assload of bongs chilling in the front windows, and varying levels of bowls/pipes and other paraphernalia on offer when I went. It's unfair, but this sort of association certainly isn't going to help things when the Think-of-the-children brigade starts complaining. I think expanding to a couple more restrained locations down there would certainly help.

One other question for you. Is there any way to order some varieties that they don't stock? I see Gots Grå listed on the website as one of the brands you can get, and I'd love to be able to buy some. I wouldn't mind having to pay up front if I had to, so that I could go grab a roll of Gots Grå lös when it arrived. At the very least, it might help by showing shop owners there are some detected snusers around.

Concerning the unfit Americans thing, there's two big ones you guys left out. We also are chronically sleep deprived, and don't get nearly enough exercise.

Thanks for the headsup my friend, I will contact the owner tomorrow. If you want to buy a roll of Got's Gra, just stop in and speak to the shop owner/manager and have him call me and order it. I'm sure he'll order it for you. I will contact him myself as well, but he is more likely to buy from me if he knows the person that is going to buy it from him ;-)