Tobacco News Arnold André
releases new products available in duty free Apart from the recent formation of the Tobacco House of Sweden, one thing that’s certainly helping Arnold André remain competitive is its stable of bestselling products. The company recently released Handelsgold Sweet Chocolate Cigarillos. While chocolate is certainly a popular flavor, Arnold André also offers other Handelsgold taste variations such as Peach, Cherry, Vanilla and Classic. Arnold André reports that international sales have tripled since the introduction of Handelsgold Sweets. The attractive price, trendy aromas and attention grabbing presentation at the POS have reportedly resulted in price-sensitive smokers spontaneously picking Handelsgold Sweets. The Sweets are in especially high demand in the Netherlands, Sweden, Greece and Eastern Europe, says Arnold André, and Austrian and Swiss smokers have also acquired a taste for them. The new Sweet Chocolate flavor has a sweetened mouthpiece, a pleasurable chocolate aroma and a dark wrapper. The product is available in a 5-pack for a very competitive price. Depending on available space, there are several forms of merchandising presentation available: a large Handelsgold Tower, a Handelsgold dispenser, a counter display or a shelf unit. “The dispenser has been a particularly effective way of selling Handelsgold Sweets,” explains Konstanze Marth, Export Manager at Arnold André. “It brings to mind a dispenser in some discount or bulk stores. Combined with the very competitive price, this means that a lot of people reach in a grab a cigar or two when at the counter.” In addition to Handelsgold, Marth asserts that Clubmaster Minis are still performing very well. The Clubmaster Mini line includes Superior Vanilla, Mini Vanilla Filter, Mini Sumatra and the recently released Clubmaster Chocolate variety. “A lot of competitors have incorporated chocolate in some way or another, but it’s very hard to get a good flavor,” Marth explains. “With the new chocolate-flavored Clubmaster Minis, we worked really hard to get a pleasing chocolate taste and aroma. The product has already proven itself domestically in Germany and it is now available worldwide.
Clubmaster Mini cigarillos continue to be one of Arnold André’s most successful ranges; a chocolate flavored variant was recently introduced (Pictured: Clubmaster Mini Vanilla) Handelsgold Sweet Chocolate Cigarillos are the latest flavored product in the range; other bestsellers from Handelsgold include Peach, Cherry, Vanilla and Classic varieties
J. Cortès releases new travel retail exclusive packaging
Emmanuel Ghesquière, Export Manager at J. Cortès, told GulfAfrica Duty Free recently that the company has released two new travel retail exclusive box sets for its Sumatra and Dominican wrapper cigarillos. Each box set contains 5 packs, with 10 cigarillos in each pack. “We’ve had a strong presence at duty free trade shows in recent years and to continue getting attention in this market, we developed a travel retail exclusive presentation,” Ghesquière said. The box sets were revealed at the TFWA WE in Cannes and various operators from across the Middle East have already shown interest. Ghesquière is also planning on being present at next year’s IAADFS exhibition in Orlando, noting that last year— his first time at the show—was very positive. “Innovation is extremely important, especially in this market,” Ghesquière told us. “Travelers around the world can expect more innovative duty free-specific products from J. Cortès in 2012.” 98
GULF-AFRICA DUTY FREE & TRAVEL RETAILING NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
The new travel retail exclusive 5-packs from J. Cortès; both the Sumatra wrapper (left) and Dominican wrapper (right) varieties are shown