The Business of Cigars: 30 Days to Double Sales

The Business of Cigars: 30 Days to Double Sales

Are brick and mortar retail businesses in decline? Was this caused by the pandemic or was this happening prior to 2020? Studies show this was happening well before 2020, just look at the turnover at strip malls and common shopping outlet stores. There is not one industry that isn't impacted by this, especially the smoking industry. If you're a business owner of a smoke shop or cigar lounge and need a boost in sales, you've stopped by the right place. We're going to give you an outline of how you can jumpstart your sales in the next 30 days and revive your business. 

Achieving a significant increase in sales within a short timeframe requires a strategic approach that combines enhanced customer engagement, effective marketing, and optimized in-store experiences. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you double your cigar lounge and smoke shop sales in approximately 30 days.


Step 1: Know Your Target Audience

To effectively promote your cigar shop, you need to understand your target market. Focus on audiences interested in premium cigars and cigar accessories:

  • Younger adults interested in cigars over cigarettes
  • People looking for cigars for special events
    • Special Events: Weddings, Parties, Graduations, Birthdays
    • Annual Events: Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes, 4th of July
    • Impulsive Buyers: Bachelor Parties, Golfers
  • Professionals and higher-income individuals interested in premium cigars
  • Your current customer base - analyze their demographics and buying patterns and ask how can you target people just like them

Focus on the art of cigar and cigar smoking by highlighting what makes your shop unique. Tailor your marketing messages to the audiences you've identified above to seamlessly attract the right customers.


Step 2: Offer the Right Products

Now that we know who we're targeting, the next step towards boosting sales is offering the right product assortment. Do you have a variety of cigars that appeal to various customer preferences? Are you selling cigar accessories? Here are some key strategies to optimize your product mix:

Multiple Cigar Quantities

  • Sell singles at a premium to let customers try new cigars.
  • Offer bulk packs for loyal, regular customers.
  • Provide flexibility with mix-and-match bundles at set price points to cater to different buying behaviors.

Various Cigar Sizes

  • Stock a range of cigar sizes, from small cigarillos to large Coronas.
  • This targets more potential customers interested in different cigar formats and occasions, from quick smoke breaks to leisurely lounge sessions.

Diverse Cigar Flavors

  • Cover a variety of flavor profiles like spicy, nutty, sweet, and earthy to appeal to different customer tastes.
  • Highlight the unique flavor notes and aromas of each cigar to help customers discover new favorites.

Niche Items

  • Stock some less common, niche cigars.
  • This can attract loyal customers looking for hard-to-find items they can't get elsewhere, making your store a destination for cigar enthusiasts.

Cigar Accessories

  • Complement your cigar selection with a range of high quality accessories like cutters, lighters, ashtrays, and humidors. These add-ons can boost average order value and provide additional revenue streams. Need Accessories?

Cigar Humidors & Furniture

  • Offer premium cigar humidors and storage solutions, as well as cigar-friendly furniture like lounge chairs and tables. These items create a luxurious in-store experience and cater to customers who want to invest in their cigar hobby. Need Humidors & Furniture?

 

 

Step 3: What Does Marketing Mean?

A proper marketing strategy creates that nail in the foot moment where your target audience needs or wants exactly what you're selling. At that point, you receive their money for the exchange of your goods and services.

  • 🌎Existence: How do you make sure your target audience knows you exists? This could involve things like having a website, search engine optimization, local listings, social media presence, and word of mouth referrals from satisfied customers.
    • Your Website
    • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
    • Social Media
    • Email Marketing
    • Content Marketing
    • Events
  • 💭Communication: How are you actively communicating and engaging with your target audience? This might include email newsletters, social media posts, in person events, and one-on-one conversations to understand their needs and preferences. But more importantly are you speaking their language? 
    • The Camaraderie: Smoking cigars is a popular social activity, as people get together and enjoy smoking a premium cigar, drinking a premium
      beverage, or watching a sporting event.
    • The Lingo: There is a sense of sophistication involved with smoking cigars. People like how smoking cigars makes them feel high class. So talk their talk.
    • The Presentation: In your shop, sell your cigars differently by how and where you show them off in a visually stunning way.
  • 🛒Sales: How are you converting your target audience into customers? Answer: EVERYTHING IS FOR SALE! This could involve promotions, loyalty programs, personalized recommendations, and creating a welcoming instore experience. 
    • Unique Discounts
    • Scarcity Creates Urgency
    • Excitement Drives Sales
    • Everything is for sale: The humidors, lighters, ashtrays, etc.
    • Subscription Services Using Cigar Lockers
    • Cigar of the month
  • 🔄Retention: How are you keeping your customers coming back? Things like exclusive membership benefits, personalized outreach, and fostering a sense of community can encourage repeat business and build long-term loyalty. 
    • Capture Customer Information
    • Recognize Returning Customers
    • Incentivize repeat customers
    • Create a rewards program
    • Create a referral program
  • 📈Marketing Metrics: Carefully monitoring these key metrics will help you refine your marketing strategies and maximize your return on investment.

 

Step 4: Run Effective Promotions

Attract new customers and boost loyalty with irresistible promotions. 

 

 

Step 5: Create A Vibrant Business Environment

Make your physical cigar shop appealing and memorable to customers:

  • Display your cigars in commercial cigar humidor displays with LED lighting
  • Display your cigars in beautiful cabinet humidors
  • Consider installing a walk-in humidor to properly store and display cigars
  • Consider adding monthly social smoking events with hand rolled cigars and entertainment
  • Consider adding a liquor/beer component to your shop if your locality allows it. This would allow you to pair cigar and beverages in a unique set-up
  • Consider adding subscriptions services with a cigar locker for customers to take advantage of
  • Create a lounge area for customers to buy cigars and smoke in relaxing social setting

Add a Gathering Space Like A Lounge

Creating a cigar lounge can significantly boost sales by providing a place for customers to enjoy their purchases on-site. 

  • Premium Pricing: Charge $1,000 or more per year for lounge access, based on your location and offerings.
  • Store Credit: Include store credit with memberships (e.g. $1,000 credit with a $2,500 membership).
  • Exclusive benefits: Offer members-only events, priority access, and special discounts to add value.

Consider these factors when designing your lounge:

  • Install a powerful smoke eater system to maintain air quality
  • Choose a theme that appeals to your target audience (classic gentleman's club or modern trendy vibe)
  • Use easy-to-clean leather furniture that doesn't absorb odors
  • Install hardwood flooring for easy cleaning and a refined look
  • Use gentle lighting similar to your humidor
  • Consider adding TVs for sports viewing and a bar for drink pairings

 

Step 6: Develop Your Online Presence

An online store can complement your physical shop and reach a wider audience. Implement these strategies for your ecommerce site:

  • Organized Categories: Create clear sections for different types of cigars, accessories, and gift options. Make it easy for customers to find what they're looking for.
  • Highlight Deals: Feature a prominent section for special sales and promotions to encourage impulse purchases.
  • Email Marketing: Collect email addresses in exchange for discounts. Send regular newsletters with new products and exclusive offers

 

Conclusion: Continuously Improve

To maintain and grow your success:

Running a successful business requires ongoing effort to attract new customers and retain existing ones. By implementing these strategies - from offering the right products and creating an inviting environment to effective marketing - you can significantly boost your sales within 30 days. Remember to continuously evaluate and adjust your approach to ensure long term success in the competitive cigar market.

If you're in need of cigar furniture, cigar lockers, cigar humidors, cigar accessories we helped hundreds of cigar businesses create vibrant environments and increase their bottom line contact us or shop today 

george@trustedhomegoods.com | trustedhomegoods.com | 502-833-6237

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