Exclusive Interview: RELX Implements Strategic Integration And Bundling And Participates in Dortmund Tobacco Exhibition Jointly With Czech Brand VENIX

Exclusive interview: RELX implements strategic integration and bundling and participates in Dortmund Tobacco Exhibition jointly with Czech brand VENIX

2Firsts found that at the Dortmund Tobacco Exhibition, RELX and Czech brand VENIX jointly exhibited. According to Vivian, general manager of RELX Europe, VENIX, as a partner of RELX, is a "powerful weapon" for RELX to fill the gap in disposable e-cigarette products in Europe.

 

At the Dortmund Tobacco Exhibition, 2Firsts noticed that the well-known e-cigarette brand RELX and VENIX jointly exhibited, and then had in-depth exchanges with Vivian Song, general manager of RELX Europe, and Willian, representative of its co-brand VENIX.

 

It is understood that VENIX is a Czech brand and also a partner of RELX. Vivian said that VENIX plays the role of a "powerful weapon" in filling the gap in the disposable e-cigarette product market of RELX in Europe, and has become an important pillar of RELX in this field.

VENIX and RELX booths | Source: 2FIRSTS

 

RELX: Implementing strategic integration and bundling, co-branding with two local European brands

 

Vivian introduced that RELX has implemented strategic integration and bundling in the past year to optimize its business. RELX is open to supporting the growth of its partners and is willing to provide support in the early stages of its development. In the European market, in addition to cooperating with the Czech brand VENIX, RELX has also launched a co-branded cooperation with the British brand Totally Wicked. She believes that the UK, as a major market for e-cigarettes, has an important strategic position, and the Czech market can serve as a base with unique strategic significance and value.

RELX's joint booth with the British brand Totally Wicked | Source: RELX

 

Vivian revealed to 2Firsts that RELX faces the problem of insufficient competitiveness of disposable e-cigarette products in markets outside Western Europe, especially in Central and Northern Europe. Therefore, she believes that the cooperation with VENIX is an important supplement to RELX's product line, which can not only enhance the competitiveness of products, but also is crucial to RELX's strategic layout in the entire European market.

 

When talking about the current market situation in Europe, Vivian said that from the perspective of industry development trends, European policies and regulations are becoming more and more stringent. According to export data, the sales of disposable products in countries such as Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland have dropped significantly, while the sales of cartridge-changing products are rising. She believes that cartridge-changing products are not only more environmentally friendly, but also have higher user loyalty. In addition, the market entry threshold for disposable products is low, while cartridge-changing products require truly powerful companies to invest and continue to iterate and innovate.

 

Finally, Vivian introduced RELX's market performance: RELX continues to maintain a stable leading position in the Southeast Asian market. Meanwhile, North Asia is also a market that RELX focuses on and invests in, especially in South Korea and Mongolia, where the market share is as high as over 80%. In the European market, except for the relatively weak competitiveness of the UK market, RELX has achieved significant growth in the Italian, Spanish and French markets.

VENIX & RELX joint product｜Source: 2Firsts

VENIX & RELX joint product | Source: 2Firsts

 

VENIX: The highest monthly sales in the Czech Republic is 1.5 million, and the market share is stable at 45%

 

As a partner of RELX, Willian, the brand manager of VENIX, told 2Firsts that he was a trader of RELX in the Czech Republic. Inspired by RELX, he and several partners founded the e-cigarette brand VENIX two years ago and officially became a brand in the e-cigarette industry.

VENIX exhibits products | Source: 2Firsts

 

According to him, the Czech e-cigarette market has been growing. After VENIX entered the Czech Republic, its market share in the Czech Republic was as high as 45% at its peak, with monthly shipments reaching 1.5 million. "It can be said to be one of the top brands in the local area."

 

Willian mentioned that VENIX's main products in the Czech Republic are disposable e-cigarettes. According to VENIX's market research data, cartridge-changing products are now "reflowing" in Europe, and consumers' concepts may have changed.

 

In terms of market expansion, Willian said that he would give priority to the surrounding markets of the Czech Republic and expand around the Czech Republic. Germany is also a market that VENIX is very interested in. VENIX plans to expand its market share in Europe at a steady pace.