El Presidente Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 San Cristobal runs with a full stable in the Principe (minuto), Punta (belicoso) Fuerza (Robusto extra) and Morro (Churchill'ish). The quality is generally good to very high, particularly the consistency of the Fuerza and Morro. The Principe and La Punta can have some lean months but when they are on (and they are regularly), they are superb. The Principe holds its own, the La Punta just hangs on, but the Fuerza and El Morro are still around with plenty of 2012 codes. The flavour of San Cristobal across the board is quite unique and can be generally described as molasses, sponge cake and milk coffee. To me the Fuerza is the standout of the stable. So why is San Cristobal (as a brand) such a sales fail? Give us your opinion as to the reasons why? While the Principe is a moderate success, you can't run a whole brand on a minuto If you were "CEO of San Cristobal" how would you change it up? let's say you have a8 months to change its fortunes around before HSA cuts it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garbandz Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 If you were "CEO of San Cristobal" how would you change it up? let's say you have 8 months to change its fortunes around before HSA cuts it 1) Drop prices 20% (except Principe) 2) Bring back Mercederes 3) Offer 3 or 10 or 15 packs 4) Include one cigar with a box purchase of something else 5) Declare them out of production....... Give us your opinion as to the reasons why? While the Principe is a moderate success, you can't run a whole brand on a minuto cost is too high for an "unknown" brand 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallclub Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 The El Principe is one of my staple. I would smoke the Fuerza on a regular basis if it were better priced. It's basically a corona gorda (2mm shorter with a slightly larger rg) but it's generaly priced much higher than the JL1, Epi1, Serie A, etc, and it's a less satisfying cigar (ie it always leaves me wanting a bit more). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jg31 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 It may sound simple, but I would start by changing the band. Imo the current ones are boring. Add some color, give them some pop. If everything else is on something like that might create interest. The NC version has a parrot on the band. The cigar is ok but the band makes you want to try one. If nothing else people will talk about it. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallclub Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 It may sound simple, but I would start by changing the band. Imo the current ones are boring. who cares about bands, exactly? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post El Presidente Posted May 25, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 25, 2015 who cares about bands, exactly? As the owner of a B&M....I can't begin to tell you how how many people will purchase a cigar based in part on the band ! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Festa Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Plain and simple. It's a fail because of the band. As for the cigar itself, not everyone likes dessert, and as mentioned in your flavour profiling above, this is a dessert cigar. Personally when I see anyone post an insta shot of a SCDLH I think "that guys knows what it's about." As opposed to a Cohiba shot. As CEO, I would launch a new vitola, send some boxes to a dozen targets (i.e. product placement). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Festa Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 who cares about bands, exactly? The consumer aka everyone. As the owner of a B&M....I can't begin to tell you how how many people will purchase a cigar based in part on the band ! Presentation is everything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallclub Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 What about the Robaina band, one of the most gaudy ugly thing coming from Cuba? If you guys think San Cristobal doesn't sell because of the band, the thread better be closed. Pointless discussion. Change the band without changing the price: you'll raise the sales 1%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Festa Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 What about the Robaina band, one of the most gaudy ugly thing coming from Cuba? If you guys think San Cristobal doesn't sell because of the band, the thread better be closed. Pointless discussion. What about it? Similar colour ways. Different format and execution. The whole branding is different. And done a little better. The box has a person on it. With a better story. That many people know. Why do real estate agents put their pictures on their cards and signs? People are attracted to people. As for the band, the big 'R' for "Robaina" stands out. And is understood. It acts as a logo. No discussion is pointless. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 Vegas Robaina has its issues in the world of sales but it is a long way ahead of San Cristobal. People new to cigars will generally ask about the old man on the box (no disrespect intended but that is how they raise the issue). It is a great story and one that they can connect with. Famous veguero named Ronaina ..Big "R" on the band = "must be great cigars". Sancho Panza suffered/s for many reasons but the band and the box and the lack of story/connection was/is a significant part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dvickery Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Possible reason sales are low . Cigar anecdote : I like el principe and have bought 8 or 10 boxes over the years ... Yet I have only ever smoked one box ... Every time I get to looking for a certain size ... Before I get to el principes ... I reach for a box of shorts or juniors or du deputes or whatever . Derrek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeji5 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 too expensive. principes are priced right. Morro's are fantastic, but pricey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 I don't know why sales are low and don't know what I would do for the brand . Cigar anecdote : I like el principe and have bought 8 or 10 boxes over the years ... Yet I have only ever smoked one box ... Every time I get to looking for a certain size ... Before I get to el principes ... I reach for a box of shorts or juniors or du deputes or whatever . Derrek I would suspect that is a common occurrence ....can you allude as to why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallclub Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 As for the cigar itself, not everyone likes dessert, and as mentioned in your flavour profiling above, this is a dessert cigar. I'm not sure about that. Just look at all these new members regularly asking about "sweeter" habanos... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dvickery Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Good question rob ... They just have never made it to the " old faithful " part of my selection process ... Yet party shorts have NO bands and sit near the top of the list ... Neither do du deputes have a band and they are high on the list . Perhaps they just need a few generations of cigar smokers . Derrek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWC Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Introduce a Corona or at least a PC using the el Principe blend. I don't know how much it would help the brand or sales but it would sure make me happy. -Dan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainQuintero Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Branding is what made me never reach for then as a beginner for years, the presentation isn't terrible but so many others are more eye catching as a beginner, the time where you build up your loyalty to certain brands. Blend wise I like them and don't see a need for a change. If the bands, for arguments sake were very similar to the old Davidoff white and good ovals, the boxes white with gold thin scroll work/embossing then I think a significant jump in sales would happen over 3-4 years Add tubes/ 3-5 pack aluminium tins for the line and....use the new rebranded look to replace Monte opens in duty free 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duxnutz Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 I bought an El Morro and the Beli yesterday and I think it's just a brand no one knows much about. I even asked the store clerk in the LCDH about the brand what he thought. He just shrugged his shoulders.... Good thing I've got you guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Festa Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 I'm not sure about that. Just look at all these new members regularly asking about "sweeter" habanos... True. Maybe. A lot of people do like dessert. I am one of them. I enjoy the full spectrum. But one or two or three (or 75) members asking about sweeter habanos, out of 10,000+ members, supports my opinion. A little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quint Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 The only vitola I smoke in that Marca is the La Punta. Personally think it a great smoke when on, which can be said about all Cubans. I even like the band, looks classy. Opening a new box off La Punta's and seeing them all lined up is great. I agree wit those who say lots of cigars at B&M's are sold on bands alone, but if it's a good cigar word gets around. Unlike myself maybe people just don't like the blends. Price wise the La Punta's are about the same as the BFFs aren't they? I think that's the right price range. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lant63 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Launch an especiales no 1 an 2. In Boxes of ten with a redesigned band. Sent by telepathic super powers -Stogie Boy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lant63 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Launch an especiales no 1 an 2. In Boxes of ten with a redesigned band. Sent by telepathic super powers -Stogie Boy Also say that they are a, "limited" release Sent by telepathic super powers -Stogie Boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr8eman Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 So why is San Cristobal (as a brand) such a sales fail? Construction! I once had 3 in a row that were unsmokable. The flavor profile can be incredible, but you cannot tell if they won't burn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GasGuy82 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I'd love to try them but I just do t know enough about them and can't find much in the way of feedback or user reviews on them here or elsewhere to buy blind. The more you hear or read about something, the more you are apt to give it a shot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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