Case Study: Altria achieves better smoke shop inventory control with KORONA POS

Altria boosts scan-data revenue with KORONA POS in a market where 1.4% shrink can mean $14,000 in losses

Altria, a major tobacco manufacturer, faced the challenge of effectively managing its extensive and complex product portfolio within the smoke shop retail channel. This inventory is uniquely difficult due to hundreds of SKUs across diverse categories, strict regulatory requirements, and products that can degrade or become unsellable overnight. To address this, Altria partnered with KORONA POS to utilize its specialized point-of-sale and inventory management system built for tobacco retail.

The solution implemented by KORONA POS provided Altria with the tools to master carton-to-pack tracking, set accurate par levels, and track expiration dates. A key result was the ability to seamlessly enroll in and benefit from tobacco scan data programs; by sharing precise POS sales data through KORONA POS, Altria receives monthly incentive payments from manufacturers. The vendor's system also helped improve overall inventory accuracy, reduce shrinkage, and proactively manage regulatory risk, leading to more profitable operations and healthier inventory metrics.

Altria