Co-op has reportedly told staff in its stores to boost the promotion of vapes in an effort to win back customers and sales after the devastating cyber attack that impacted its business earlier this year.
According to an internal document seen by The Guardian, the convenience retailer is making vapes more prominent in stores via new displays and additional advertising. It is also stocking a bigger range of vapes and nicotine pouches.
The action plan is to tackle a big sales drop after the April hack that resulted in gaps on its shelves.
Read the full article on The Guardian website
NAM Implications:
- Looks like this initiative might be an attempt to benefit from the ‘freedom‘ to advertise & promote vapes…
- …before anticipated restrictive legislation kicks in.
- Whereby the Co-op is operating within the letter-of-the-law…
- …but Co-op members are presumed to operate within the spirit-of-the-law.
- Co-op needs to decide between possible short-term (financial) gains…
- …and possible longer-term reputational impact.
