One for the retailers...

[El Catador]

The publication of this years list of 'deletions', has once again generated a fair few 'column inches' of debate.
Which got me thinking...

Given that 'market forces' of supply and demand ultimately dictate the direction of future Habanos production, I was curious to know what's 'hot' (and what's 'Not') with regards to brand and vitola popularity?

I'd be most interested to hear a retailers point of view.
i.e. What are the 'big' sellers these days.. are tastes changing (are the long, thin un's doomed?).. are you selling more: Cubans and less N.C's (or the other way round)? etc.. etc..

Last (but not least), how are sales of PSD4's doing?
(I could use some advance warning in order to stock up if the 'heathens' are foregoing them in favour of lesser products).

Thanks for any 'insider' info.
Cheers
El Cat

[daverave999]

I eagerly await responses to this! Great topic El Cat.

[Stevieboy]

Top question TopCat!!

Hopefully Mitch could help us out

[CaptainQuintero]

Main Commercial results at the end of May 2011

? Share by channels: 67% domestic markets; 33% travel retail

? Share by region: Western Europe: 52%, followed by Asia: 14,1 % then Middle East: 14%

? Sales dropped by units in local Spain: -19%, and Italy: -6,3%.

? Sales increased in Russia: +51% in units mainly due to the strengthening of the commercial network since 2010.

? Sales by channel: Travel retail Hong Kong +80%, Switzerland +86% and China +56%

? 142 LCDH *(4 Openings and 8 Closures)



Sales by Brands

? (units) Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, JLPiedra, Partagas

? (In value) Cohiba, Montecristo



Sales by sizes

? (In units) Mareva accounting for 13%, then Robustos 11%, Petit Coronas 8% and Perlas 5%

? (in value) Robustos, Marevas, Petit Coronas, Piramides



Sales by units:

? Monte No 4 the best selling cigar followed closely by JLP Cazadores and PTG Serie D No 4



Sales by value:

? Monte No 4, PTG Serie D No 4, COH Siglo VI, COH Robusto

[Smallclub]

Last (but not least), how are sales of PSD4's doing?

Best seller in France.

[tippexx]

[QUOTE=El Catador;150698]
i.e. What are the 'big' sellers these days.. are tastes changing (are the long, thin un's doomed?).. are you selling more: Cubans and less N.C's (or the other way round)? etc.. etc..

Habanos are Global Cat, so the model for their marketing strategy would take into account numbers sold and trends worldwide, and of course they would watch and be aware of US smoking norms. Now, given that sooner or later the Embargo will be lifted, I've got it on good inside authority that Cuba intends to abandon it's fields to bananas, move all cigar production to Dominica and such places and then re-brand in the solid belief that NCs the a better sales proposition.

But don't worry Cat, you'll be alright on PDS4s. As I understand it, in future these will be bolted together in Haiti and re-branded as 'Papa Doc's'

Hope this answers your question?

[Stevieboy]

Ha ha ha

[El Catador]

Why Arf, you purveyor of fine wind-up's.. well played my-old-son!

I've got it on good inside authority that Cuba intends to abandon it's fields to bananas, move all cigar production to Dominica and such places and then re-brand in the solid belief that NCs the a better sales proposition.

But don't worry Cat, you'll be alright on PDS4s. As I understand it, in future these will be bolted together in Haiti and re-branded as 'Papa Doc's'

Oh 'Papa Don't'!!

Best seller in France.

I never doubted it for an instant!

Excellent taste... those French chappies.

After all, let's not forget, they make the finest of wines..
("New World...?" - El Cat spits in disgust)

Most of the best cheeses.. and the woman are pretty good lookin' too*!

* "Why the underarm hair though**?"
** "I'm serious.. Why?"

[bopmachine]

It's always a good time to stock up on PSD4s cat… always...