BIC Lighters

About BIC

BIC is the lighter brand the world buys without thinking. Manufactured by Société BIC in France since 1973, the BIC pocket lighter is the most-recognized disposable lighter on the planet — consumers across every demographic, age range, and retail channel default to it. For a smoke shop, convenience store, or gas-station retailer, BIC is the foundation SKU at the register: the customer who asks for a lighter is almost always asking for a BIC by name, even when they don't say the word.

For retailers, this consumer default is the single most valuable thing about the brand. It means BIC sells through at a velocity that almost no other accessory SKU can match, often hitting 8–12 turns per year per pocket facing. Stocking the line means capturing that demand. Not stocking it means handing the most-asked-for impulse purchase to the competitor next door.

Our BIC lineup at a glance

• BIC Maxi (Full-Size) — the classic. ~3,000 lights per lighter. Available in solid colors, fashion prints, special editions, and licensed designs.
• BIC Mini — ~50% the size and the price-tier choice for pocket-portability. Same color and design range as the Maxi.
• BIC Special Edition — licensed designs, sports themes, seasonal releases, and the BIC Series collections.
• BIC Tray Packs — the 50-count merchandising tray that anchors the counter. Mixed color, ready to drop on the register.
• BIC Multi-Purpose & Long-Reach — utility lighters for candle, grill, and fireplace use. Different demographic but still part of the BIC line.

Why every retailer carries BIC in depth

BIC is the default impulse-purchase. The customer who walks up to your register with rolling papers and a candle adds a BIC without being asked, because that is the only lighter brand they trust. The retailer who substitutes a no-name lighter at the counter often loses the lighter sale entirely — the customer either declines or steps next door to get the brand they want.

Beyond the default-impulse factor, BIC's quality control is the best in the disposable-lighter category. Defect rates are vanishingly low, which means almost no returns or counter complaints. That reliability shows up as customer trust in your store, which shows up as repeat foot traffic.

Merchandising BIC at the counter

The BIC 50-count tray is the most-efficient counter-merch unit in the smoke-accessory category. Position it within arm's reach of the register, with a mix of solid colors (always include white, black, blue, and red) and at least one fashion-print tray rotating seasonally. The Mini tray fits alongside as the lower-price-point option for customers asking specifically for a small lighter.

Maintain at least two tray facings at the register at all times. BIC sells through fast enough that running out of solid-color stock during a weekend rush is a real revenue loss. If your store sees grill-season or candle-season spikes, add a Multi-Purpose lighter facing during those windows.

Margin notes

BIC Maxi typically returns a 35–45% retail margin — lower than most accessory SKUs but compensated by the velocity. BIC Mini returns 40–50%. Special-edition and fashion-print SKUs push 45–55% thanks to a premium-tier retail price. The volume math wins even at the lower margin percentage: a single BIC tray facing turns enough units monthly to outpace many higher-margin SKUs in absolute dollar contribution.

Wholesale FAQ — BIC