IT’S A WRAP

Leaf-wrapped cigarillos continue to drive cigar sales.

BY GAELLE WALKER

NEW PRODUCT ALERT!

STERLING DUAL DOUBLE CAPSULE LEAF WRAPPED e category is now worth around £8m a month according to JTI, whose Sterling Dual Capsule Leaf Wrapped range is currently “the fastest growing cigar brand in the UK” and commands a 92.4% share of the market according to IRi Market Place data for December 2022.

JTI has expanded its cigarillo portfolio with the launch of the new Sterling Dual Double Capsule Leaf Wrapped, offering double the flavour with a combination of peppermint and berry mint capsules.

Available now across all UK channels, Sterling Dual Double Capsule Leaf Wrapped has an RSP of £6 for a pack of 10 –although retailers are free to set their own prices.

There will also be an exclusive introductory price marked pack of 10 launching at £5.70 in the Convenience and Independent channels.

The innovation joins JTI’s already successful Sterling Dual Capsule Leaf Wrapped range.

While total cigar sales remain a little muted compared with 2022, within the category the cigarillo segment is continuing to party hard.

Cigarillos have reported ongoing growth in both the grocery and convenience channels over the past three years but particularly over the last 12 months, where they have contributed valuable pro ts to retailers’ tills.

Available in smaller packs of 10, as well as 20s, the category is well met by adult smokers on a budget along with those looking to manage their consumption. e brand, which transitioned from Signature Dual in 2021, o ers adult smokers a Virginia Blend tobacco encased in a natural leaf wrapper with a peppermint click lter.

STG UK Country Director Alastair Williams is also keen to highlight the key cigarillo opportunity for local retailers, especially when it comes to avoured products, such as its Signature Action brand.

“Our Signature Action brand is not the bestselling cigarillo on the market, but its sales have grown by over 64% in the last year,” he says.

In a bid to grow its cigarillo sales share even further this year, JTI has just launched its latest o ering: Sterling Dual Double Capsule Leaf Wrapped.

Cigarillos Motor On

The cigarillo category has continued to grow in both grocery and convenience channels, particularly over the last 12 months, and is now worth approximately £8m a month, showcasing the category opportunity available for retailers.

Product Spotlight

STG recently announced a fresh new look for its Moments brand.

The new pack design can be seen now on packs of Moments Blue and Moments Original, with packs of Moments Panatella following closely behind in May.

Moments Blue has been the fastestgrowing value for money (VFM) cigar in the UK and according to STG is “well-known amongst tobacco-selling retailers as a popular choice amongst those customers who are looking to save money”.