Asia-2012-October-v11 9/30/12 4:13 PM Page 90
Tobacco News Ray Tobacco continues growing in travel retail Hong Kong-based Ray Tobacco has made some significant inroads in travel retail in recent months. As a result of exhibiting at this year’s IAADFS and TFWA AP exhibitions in Orlando and Singapore, respectively, new listings have come online and promising contacts have been made that bode well for the supplier’s future in the industry. A triple threat, offering two brands of cigarettes (Walton, called a “Royal Blend,” and Ray, an American Blend), as well as Walton-branded whisky and beer, Ray Ray Tobacco offers two brands Tobacco has seen particular success in Egypt recently, of cigarettes—Walton, pictured here, and Ray, an American with listings in some 50 points of sale—both airports Blend—as well as Waltonbranded whisky and beer and border stores—over the last few months. Other new travel retail listings include Australia, Cyprus and Turkey. “We’re also working on Dubai, Israel and Beirut,” says Chris Pfister, Export Director for Ray Tobacco, “but nothing has been confirmed yet. At the moment our duty free business is about 50% airports and 50% border stores. We do very well at border stores in the Middle East and I think many of these locations often get overlooked by suppliers.” In terms of the Americas, Pfister tells us that contacts made in Orlando in March have led to negotiations with stores in the Caribbean. However, no listings have yet been confirmed. South America is also looking like a good possibility for the future; Ray Tobacco has developed solid contacts in Honduras, Ecuador and Venezuela. “The first quarter was a little slow but things picked up in the second quarter,” Pfister tells us. “We’re looking forward to continued sales growth in the second half of the year as we continue to expand our reach in duty free.”
The Five & Dime and High Roller tobacco brands, part of Protégé International’s portfolio, premiered new RYO offerings at Inter Tabac in Dortmund
KT&G releases Tonino Lamborghini cigarettes This month sees the launch of a new cigarette brand from KT&G developed as the result of a collaboration with the well known Italian luxury brand. The world’s first Tonino Lamborghini cigarettes contain premium smoking leaf tobacco—which represents only about 2% of the leaves grown in the world— and South European Orient leaves. KT&G says that the cigarettes offer “a soft throat and enriched taste,” and are designed to retain the optimal level of moisture for an improved smoking experience. Other high-end features include what KT&G calls an embossed “lip release filter.” The product features the familiar Toro emblem on the top of the package, the charismatic symbol of the Lamborghini family, to express strength, progressiveness and exclusivity. Two variants of Tonino Lamborghini have been released—L6 (6.0 mg of tar) and L8 (8.0mg of tar). Tonino Lamborghini will be available at China, Singapore and Hong Kong Airports from September 2012. Also new this year from KT&G is Bohem Mojito Double. Bohem is made of 30% premium cigar leaves, giving the brand a unique taste and aroma. Showcasing a vintage package design, KT&G says that Bohem Mojito Double is targeted toward stylish professionals who prefer a refined smoke. Tonino Lamborghini cigarettes were designed to be premium in every way and will be released this month at select airports throughout the Asia Pacific region
Protégé International’s Five & Dime launches RYO at Inter Tabac in Dortmund Protégé International has announced that Five & Dime premiered a new roll your own (RYO) tobacco at Inter Tabac in Dortmund. The development follows on from Five & Dime’s success in Middle East domestic markets with its iconic packaging, visualizing the vibrant, dynamic post modernism of 50s and 60s pop art. The company says that the Five & Dime brand is “perfect for the modern urban experience.” Additionally, Protégé International tells us that High Roller RYO also appeared at the Inter Tabac show for the first time. Those wishing to learn more about the products can visit Red Village K12.
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ASIA DUTY FREE & TRAVEL RETAILING OCTOBER 2012