blu eCigs Electronic Cigarettes Takes Home Progressive Grocer 2012 Editors' Pick Award

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With 15,000 new consumer products hitting shelves every year, blu eCigs stands out amongst the crowd once again, taking home an Editors' Pick award for its electronic cigarettes from Progressive Grocer.  blu eCigs^® disposables are the top pick for 2012, beating out the competition in three key areas: innovation, function and value.

"Earning the trust and support of retailers is a major priority for us, so it's a real honor to be recognized with an editors' pick from a publication with such a strong presence and legacy in the retailer community," commented Jason Healy, President of blu eCigs. "This is a testament to blu eCigs' longstanding commitment to delivering a product that will drive consumers to retail shelves, balancing the true quality with the most affordable cost possible. We plan to continue to pioneer the industry with the product innovation and style for which our customers have come to know us, and in turn create a growing revenue stream for our retail partners."

blu eCigs disposables are a convenient and effective way for consumers to try electronic cigarettes.  Each blu eCigs disposable is equivalent to approximately 400 puffs or 1½ packs of traditional cigarettes. Since its inception in 2008, blu eCigs has consistently lead the charge to usher in this new class of smoking alternatives to the US market in a pragmatic way - always keeping the customer experience as the central focus. In April 2012, it was also the first e-cigarette company to be acquired by a tobacco manufacturer. Lorillard, Inc. made history when the corporation purchased the business, solidifying blu eCigs as a market trailblazer and further validating the growth opportunity for the e-cigarette category.  Today, the North Carolina-based establishment continues to set the standard in proactive regulation, product innovation and responsible marketing.

"The main goal of our Editors' Picks is to help grocers meet the demands of today's grocery shoppers by recognizing on-trend products that deliver on their ever-changing needs and desires," said Jim Dudlicek, editor-in-chief of Progressive Grocer. "Our editors felt blu eCigs disposables hit the mark in addressing consumers' needs in a fresh and innovative way."

Progressive Grocer has delivered retail food industry news for nearly 90 years.  The Editors' Pick awards pay tribute to companies with the best new consumer products to hit the market each year.  Each product is tested and judged based on innovation, taste/functionality and value.

About blu eCigs Electronic Cigarettes
blu eCigs electronic cigarettes offer the feel and experience of traditional cigarettes – without the tobacco smoke, ash, or smell.  blu eCigs provides a realistic alternative to smoking – creating a vapor "puff" that evaporates within seconds. The products have been featured in the presenter gift bags at the Grammy Awards, other celebrity events, and are used by a number of A-list actors, musicians, and athletes.  Available online and at retailers nationwide, blu eCigs come in convenient disposables or rechargeable packs, with or without nicotine and in a variety of flavors. blu eCigs provide innovative technology for an improved consumer experience that enhances the social aspect of e-cigarettes.  blu eCigs is based in Charlotte, NC, and all blu eCigs' flavors in its electronic cigarettes are made in the USA.  For more, visit www.blucigs.com.

©2012 LOEC, Inc. blu eCigs^® is a trademark of Lorillard Technologies, Inc. blu eCigs^® are not a smoking cessation product and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, nor are they intended to treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.

SOURCE blu eCigs