Tobacco Category Advice

1. More than 7 million packets of cigarettes are smoked every day.

2. The tobacco market is worth in excess of £12.9bn

3. Nearly 13 million adult Britons smoke - that is nearly a third of everyone over the age of 16.

4. Tobacco outsells confectionary, soft drinks and newspapers combined.

5. Smokers shop more than non-smokers - they also spend 36% more than non-smokers.

6. Tobacco also draws customers into stores - once they are in they often make secondary purchases, particularly of National Lottery tickets, newspapers and confectionary.

7. Tobacco delivers a high cash profit - on average, 30p per packet of premium cigarettes or as much as £1 per pack of cigars sold.

8. Tobacco is one of the most regionalised products in your store, so ask your rep for advice on the best selling brands in your area.

9. Keep your tobacco unit full, clean and well merchandised so that adult smokers can easily find their brands.

10. Merchandise roll your own tobacco, rolling papers, filters and rolling machines together as it may encourage additional sales.

Ask your tobacco manufacturer representative to recommend what gantry you should have. This is dependant on the size of your store and the turnover of tobacco.

Best Sellers - Cigarettes

Brand % Share of Total Market

1. Lambert & Butler KS 12.4%
2. Benson & Hedges Gold 7.3%
3. Mayfair KS 6.9%
4. Richmond SK 6.1%
5. Marlboro Gold KS 6.1%
6. Richmond KS 4.3%
7. Royals KS Red 3.8%
8. Silk Cut Purple 3.3%
9. JPSK 3.2%
10. Mayfair KS Smooth 2.7%
11. Regal KS 2.4%
12. Embassy No1 KS 2.4%
13. Sovereign KS 2.4%
14. Benson & Hedges Silver 2.2%
15. Lambert & Butler Gold 2.0%
16. Mayfair SK 1.9%
17. Richmond SK Menthol 1.9%
18. JPSK Blue 1.7%
19. Silk Cut Silver 1.4%
20. JP Special KS 1.1%

Best Sellers - Cigars

Brand % Share of Total Market

1. Hamlet 22.7%
2. Café Crème Blue 15.0%
3. Hamlet Miniatures 14.4%
4. Classic 11.4%
5. Café Crème 10.4%
6. Panama 5.4%
7. KE Cornets 2.9%
8. Royal Dutch Miniatures 2.3%
9. King Six 2.1%
10. H.W. Half Corona 1.2%

Best Sellers - Hand-Rolling Tobacco (HRT)

Brand % Share of Total Market

1. Golden Virginia 48.3%
2. Amber Leaf 19.9%
3. Drum 11.3%
4. Cutters Choice 6.8%
5. Old Holborn 6.3%
6. Drum Gold 4.0%
7. Samson 2.9%
8. Pall Mall 0.2%
9. Old Holborn Yellow 0.1%
10. Cutters Choice Bright 0.1%

Best Sellers - Pipe

Brand % Share of Total Market

1. St Bruno 19.4%
2. Condor Ready Rubbed 15.4%
3. Clan 11.9%
4. Mellow Virginia 9.4%
5. Gold Block 9.0%
6. St Bruno Flake 8.0%
7. Condor Long Cut 7.8%
8. Erinmore Mixture 3.6%
9. Condor Mild Blend 3.1%
10. 3 Stars Mixed 2.2%