PCA Retail Survey Results (Qtr. 1, 2025)
*112 PCA retailer members anonymously surveyed
1. Compared to 2023, did you do better, the same, or worse during the 2024 holiday season?
- Better: 50.90%
- About the Same: 29.40%
- Worse: 19.70%
2. If you could tell manufacturers one thing to help you better sell their products, what would it be? (top answers compiled by commonality)
- Design shelf-friendly boxes and more uniformity of box sizes
- Control/moderate product price increases and shipping fees
- Offer more product information on boxes and more shelf talkers to explain products
- Include barcodes on all products
- Limit high-end cigars/create more “economy cigars”
- Improve communication with brick-and-mortar on new products and
product changes, and collaborate more on promotions and events - Plan ahead to be prompt on holiday deliveries
- Focus on producing the core lines and stop the “What’s new?” mentality
- Fix backorder issues
3. Do you sell spirits?
- No: 68.75%
- Yes: 31.25%
PCA Manufacturer Survey Results (Qtr. 1, 2025)
*24 PCA manufacturer members anonymously surveyed
1. Compared to 2023, did you do better, the same, or worse than in 2024?
- Better: 66.7%
- About the Same: 16.67%
- Worse: 16.67%
2. What is the one piece of advice you would offer retailers to improve their overall sales? (top answers compiled by commonality)
- Customers get bored, so engage, provide advice, educate and introduce them to something new
- Be an expert about tobacco, your products and the industry
- Provide incentives for customers to draw them back
- Develop harmonious relationships with your wholesalers
- Attend the PCA trade show
- Get a liquor license to complement cigar sales
- Try new brands. Mix it up.
3. What are your top concerns and/or challenges as a cigar manufacturer? (top answers compiled by commonality)
- Rising costs (shipping, taxes, production)
- Competitors over-discounting products
- Ability to connect with retailers on a regular and timely basis
- Finding quality sales representatives
- Tariffs and complexity of different state taxes
- Big government and continued threats of regulation
- Difficulty in promoting products
This story first appeared in PCA The Magazine, Volume 1, 2025. To receive a copy of this magazine you must be a current member of PCA. Join or renew today at premiumcigars.org/membership.