A new miniature brand dubbed Calisto is Japan Tobacco International's attempt to meet the shifting demand in the cigar market.
Cigar smokers have been switching to smaller versions since the introduction of the ban on smoking in public places in 2007. According to figures from Nielsen, the overall cigar category fell by 5.4% to £297m during 2010.
And the only two cigar brands among the top five biggest-sellers to record growth were both miniatures: Scandinavian Tobacco Group's Henri Wintermans Café Créme and Ritmeester's Royal Dutch.
Miniature cigars currently account for almost 60% of volume of all cigar sales and, as such, are becoming an increasingly important source of profit for tobacco retailers, JTI said.
Each tin of Calisto will contain 10 cigars (rsp £3.54), protected by a transparent inner liner.
They have been made using a tobacco blend sourced from Brazil, Java and Cuba.
The new brand will be available in outers of five in a bid to make it easy for retailers to find room in their displays and retain a lower stock holding, which JTI claimed would assist stores with cashflow and aid long-term profits.
"It is evident from research that smokers are demanding greater choice and convenience in the cigar sector," said Jeremy Blackburn, head of communications at JTI. "Calisto meets these criteria with a unique proposition catering to both modern adult cigar and cigarette smokers alike, while adding value to the cigar sector."
Cigar smokers have been switching to smaller versions since the introduction of the ban on smoking in public places in 2007. According to figures from Nielsen, the overall cigar category fell by 5.4% to £297m during 2010.
And the only two cigar brands among the top five biggest-sellers to record growth were both miniatures: Scandinavian Tobacco Group's Henri Wintermans Café Créme and Ritmeester's Royal Dutch.
Miniature cigars currently account for almost 60% of volume of all cigar sales and, as such, are becoming an increasingly important source of profit for tobacco retailers, JTI said.
Each tin of Calisto will contain 10 cigars (rsp £3.54), protected by a transparent inner liner.
They have been made using a tobacco blend sourced from Brazil, Java and Cuba.
The new brand will be available in outers of five in a bid to make it easy for retailers to find room in their displays and retain a lower stock holding, which JTI claimed would assist stores with cashflow and aid long-term profits.
"It is evident from research that smokers are demanding greater choice and convenience in the cigar sector," said Jeremy Blackburn, head of communications at JTI. "Calisto meets these criteria with a unique proposition catering to both modern adult cigar and cigarette smokers alike, while adding value to the cigar sector."
No comments yet