Checklist template

Tobacco and nicotine back-bar merchandising for convenience stores

A ready-to-use checklist with 108 items in 6 sections, covering Planogram, Pricing, Regulatory compliance, Stock, Signage, Condition. Use it as-is in Bindy, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 108 Items
  • 91 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 121 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Planogram 20 items

  1. The current back-bar planogram is printed or available on the store tablet at the register Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The planogram on hand carries the current version date issued by the category team Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Cigarette brands are placed in the columns shown on the planogram Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Each manufacturer's share of the cigarette fixture matches the planogram Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Premium, value and discount cigarette brands are grouped in the tiers shown on the planogram Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Menthol and non-menthol styles of a brand are blocked together as shown, where both may be sold Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Pack sizes and lengths (king, 100s, box, soft pack) of a brand follow the planogram sequence Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Moist snuff cans are set by brand in the gravity-feed rack as shown on the planogram Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Nicotine pouches are set by brand, then by strength, as shown on the planogram Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Cigars and cigarillos are set in their designated section, not mixed into the cigarette columns Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Vapor devices and pods are merchandised in their designated fixture or section Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Roll-your-own tobacco, tubes and rolling papers are set in the planogram's accessory section Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Lighters are set in the position shown on the planogram Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Manufacturer-supplied fixtures are installed in the positions agreed in the display contract Yes / No 1 pt
  15. No item absent from the planogram occupies a pusher or column Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Discontinued styles have been removed from the fixture Yes / No 1 pt
  17. New styles announced for this period have been cut into the set Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Date of the last back-bar reset Date
  19. Columns or pushers found out of planogram position during the visit Number
  20. Compliance of the back-bar with the planogram Rating
    • Set exactly to planogram 5 pts
    • A few positions off 4 pts
    • A whole section off 2 pts
    • Not set to planogram 1 pt

2. Pricing 16 items

  1. Each cigarette column carries a price tag or channel strip where local regulation allows price display Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Price tags on the back-bar match the brand and pack size behind them Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Five cigarette packs scanned during the visit rang at the price shown on the back-bar Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Three other tobacco or nicotine items scanned during the visit rang at the price shown Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Carton prices are displayed where cartons are sold Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Multi-pack offers shown on the back-bar ring correctly at the register Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Manufacturer buy-down prices of the current period are loaded in the register Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Expired buy-down or promotional prices have been removed from the back-bar Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Retail prices are those of the price book issued for this jurisdiction, with no store-level discount below them Yes / No 1 pt
  10. The printed tobacco price list is available to customers where local regulation requires display products to be hidden Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Price tags are printed, not handwritten Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Price tags are fully readable from the customer side of the counter Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The last cost or tax change on tobacco was applied to shelf tags on its effective date Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Loyalty or app prices on tobacco are shown only in the form allowed by local regulation Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Price mismatches found between the back-bar and the register during the visit Number
  16. Price accuracy of the back-bar Rating
    • Every price checked was correct 5 pts
    • One mismatch 3 pts
    • Several mismatches 1 pt

3. Regulatory compliance 19 items

  1. Tobacco and nicotine products are out of customers' reach, behind the counter or in a locked case Yes / No 1 pt
  2. No tobacco or nicotine product is merchandised on a self-service counter display Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Where local regulation prohibits display, the products are fully hidden behind closed doors, flaps or covers Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Back-bar doors or flaps are closed again after each sale where concealment is required Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The current tobacco retail license is posted where local regulation requires it Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The vapor product license or registration is posted where one is required Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The minimum-age sign required by local regulation is posted at the register Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Health warning signs required by local regulation are displayed in the required position Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Only flavors and product types permitted for sale in this jurisdiction are in the set Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Every cigarette pack sampled carries the tax stamp required in this jurisdiction Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Packs carry the health warnings required in this jurisdiction, with no foreign or unmarked packs Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Cigarettes are sold in sealed packs only, with no single cigarettes offered Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Tobacco and nicotine products are not displayed next to candy, toys or other products for children Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Vapor devices and pods in the set are on the company's list of products authorized for sale in this jurisdiction Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Products withdrawn by a notice from the category team or the authority have been removed from the set and from overstock Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Free samples and coupons are not offered where local regulation prohibits them Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Vapor products sampled carry the nicotine warning required for their category Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Expiry date of the tobacco retail license Date
  19. Compliance with display and sale rules for tobacco and nicotine Rating
    • Fully compliant 5 pts
    • Minor gap corrected during the visit 3 pts
    • Gap that could lead to a violation 1 pt

4. Stock 18 items

  1. Every cigarette column is filled to at least half its depth Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The 10 best-selling cigarette styles of the store are in stock Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The best-selling moist snuff and nicotine pouch styles are in stock Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Columns for out-of-stock styles are left empty with their tag, not filled with another style Yes / No 1 pt
  5. No column is empty while cartons of that style are in overstock Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Overstock is organized by brand in the same order as the back-bar Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Older packs are sold first when columns are refilled Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Moist snuff cans are within the freshness date printed on the can Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Out-of-date moist snuff is set aside for return to the supplier Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Nicotine pouch and vapor pod dates are checked at the frequency set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Carton stock on hand is within the days of supply set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The back-bar is refilled at each shift change Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Damaged packs are set aside for supplier credit instead of being sold Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The lighter display is filled Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Rolling papers and cigar wraps are in stock in the styles listed on the planogram Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Empty cigarette columns counted during the visit Number
  17. Out-of-date tobacco or nicotine items found in the set during the visit Number
  18. In-stock condition of the back-bar Rating
    • Full 5 pts
    • A few empty columns 3 pts
    • Many empty columns 1 pt

5. Signage 15 items

  1. Only signs permitted by local regulation and the display contract are on the back-bar Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Manufacturer header signs are in the positions agreed in the display contract Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Promotional signs on the back-bar are for the current period Yes / No 1 pt
  4. No tobacco or nicotine advertising faces outside through the windows or door where local regulation prohibits it Yes / No 1 pt
  5. No tobacco or nicotine advertising is placed at a height or in a location that local regulation restricts (for example low on the counter front) Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Brand tags or column identifiers allow the cashier to find each style quickly Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Signs on the back-bar do not cover product facings Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Illuminated manufacturer signs are working Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Price and promotional signs sit in the holders supplied with the fixture, not taped to it Yes / No 1 pt
  10. New-product callouts on the back-bar mark only styles introduced in the current period Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Signs from manufacturers without a current display contract have been removed Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Counter mats and change trays with tobacco branding are used only where permitted Yes / No 1 pt
  13. No handwritten sign is attached to the back-bar Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Category headers (cigarettes, smokeless, pouches, vapor, cigars) match the planogram Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Signage of the back-bar Rating
    • Current, permitted and tidy 5 pts
    • Some outdated or misplaced signs 3 pts
    • Cluttered or non-compliant 1 pt

6. Condition 20 items

  1. Every pusher moves packs forward freely Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Broken pushers or dividers have been replaced or reported to the fixture supplier Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Back-bar shelves are free of dust Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The fixture lighting is working along its full length Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Shelf channel strips are intact, with none cracked or missing Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Back-bar doors, flaps or roller covers open and close smoothly where fitted Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Locks on tobacco cabinets and overstock work Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Packs face forward with the brand name upright Yes / No 1 pt
  9. No personal items, drinks or cleaning supplies are stored on the back-bar Yes / No 1 pt
  10. The counter below the back-bar is free of loose packs and open cartons Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The gravity-feed racks for cans are free of jammed or tilted cans Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The vapor case glass is clean and without cracks Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The overhead cigarette rack, where used, is firmly fixed to its supports Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The cashier can reach every position of the fixture without climbing on the counter or the shelving Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Broken pushers or dividers counted during the visit Number
  16. Name of the tobacco supplier representative who last visited Short text
  17. Date of the last supplier representative visit Date
  18. Name of the manager on duty Short text
  19. Overall presentation of the tobacco and nicotine back-bar Rating
    • Excellent 5 pts
    • Good 4 pts
    • Fair 2 pts
    • Poor 1 pt
  20. Corrective actions required Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the Bindy template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In Bindy you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

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