Member Spotlight: Convenience Distribution Association

Welcome to the first installment of Regulate Smarter’s “Member Spotlight” series, a weekly segment where we go in depth on our broad group of coalition members that include regulated manufacturers, retailers and distributors.

First up is the Convenience Distribution Association (CDA).

With roots dating back to 1932 and based in Reston, Va., CDA is the national trade organization that works on behalf of wholesalers that distribute products to convenience stores and other small retail format businesses.  Typical products sold by convenience distributors include candy, snacks, food service, tobacco and nicotine products, beverages, beverage programs, groceries, health and beauty care, and general merchandise. Associate members include leading manufacturers, brokers, suppliers and others allied to the industry.  

Distributor members represent more than $102 billion in U.S. sales annually and employ more than 59,000 people.   CDA has been on the front lines of the fight to stop the widespread illicit market that has led to illegal vapor, pouch, and other nicotine products flooding the U.S. from China – products that have evaded oversight and accountability.

This explosive growth of an alternative unregulated marketplace is a major threat to youth, to adult consumers, and to FDA regulation itself.

CDA and its members will greatly benefit from a regulated marketplace with clear rules of the road so its distributor members can operate in a legal, regulated, age-restricted marketplace that serves adult consumers seeking less harmful, smokefree products. CDA knows that illicit products pose a threat to the responsible, regulated marketplace.

We are honored to have CDA as part of the Coalition for Smarter Regulation of Nicotine as the coalition works with FDA to establish a regulatory framework that provides clear information to regulated industry and rigorously enforces the law against bad actors involved in the marketing of illegal nicotine products that evade FDA oversight.