Tobacco Asia

Volume 20, Number 2

Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/680166

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 30 of 67

tobaccoasia 31 in terms of conceptual development and in trying to address people's needs and interests rather than stubbornly impose something on consumers. In the future, natural brand mot- tos such as Liqun's "Let the soul make a tour" (from China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial) which features brand devel- opment that is closer to life, more vivid and more natural will become the main- stream. In particular, online technologies will become more sophisticated and pop- ular, which will enable ways and means for establishing links between brands and consumers that are more diversified, and which will provide greater opportuni- ties to transmit brand values and make it easier. Mainstreaming of Slim Cigarettes Slim cigarettes have been the greatest highlight of Chinese cigarette products over the past two years. Although sold in relatively small quantities and on a small scale, slim cigarettes have become a growing marketing trend, with spectacu- lar sales growth momentum. Even when other tobacco products generally see sales declines, slim cigarettes still grow and make inroads into markets. As a result of great promotional efforts by the tobacco industry, slim cigarettes have received the "green light" from policy-makers, in the interest of their further development. In 2015, there were 67 specifica- tions of slim cigarette products in China, with commercial sales volume reaching 709,000 cases (35.45 billion cigarettes), up a remarkable 153.6% year-on-year, and with commercial sales value reach- ing RMB29 billion (US$4.46 billion), up 147% from the same period the previous year. It is therefore obvious that slim cig- arettes make up a burgeoning new mar- ket with active growth and broad pros- pects for further development. In January 2016, the slim cigarette segment continued its momentum with the number of specifications on sale in- creasing to 77, and commercial sales vol- ume reaching 131,000 cases (6.55 billion cigarettes), up 94.3% year-on-year, and with commercial sales value reaching RMB5.9 billion (US$907.7 million), up 103.5% year-on-year. Under the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016- 2020), slim cigarettes will account for over 8% of the total cigarette sales, with conservatively estimated annual sales Slim cigarettes have been the greatest highlight of Chinese cigarette products over the past two years.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Tobacco Asia - Volume 20, Number 2