El Presidente Posted May 10, 2023 Posted May 10, 2023 HW MAY 9, 2023 CHARLIE MINATO Data from the European Cigar Manufacturers Association (ECMA) shows a nearly 30 percent increase in the imports of cigars and cigarillos to European Union countries. CONTINUED 2
NSXCIGAR Posted May 10, 2023 Posted May 10, 2023 Least shocking news of the day. If NCs play their cards right this decade Cuba could be in some serious trouble. 3 1
Bagman Posted May 11, 2023 Posted May 11, 2023 Given the quality of NC of late, I agree, Cuba may have overplayed its hands. Should be an interesting few years, especially if the "only-cuban" crowd finally come around.
El Presidente Posted May 11, 2023 Author Posted May 11, 2023 Under their new model.....they don't care. In fact, being a little niche suits them better. Does Rolex/PP care where they stand in numbers? They sell out. HSA no longer want to know 50% of us. 3 1
Ford2112 Posted May 11, 2023 Posted May 11, 2023 3 hours ago, El Presidente said: HSA no longer want to know 50% of us. It's a shame 3
Arabian Posted May 11, 2023 Posted May 11, 2023 I think this is due to the lack of availability of CC in EU and not the price increase. so of course people will look for alternatives. the issue is once many people become hooked to NC it might be difficult for Habanos to gain back their market share. 3
El Presidente Posted May 11, 2023 Author Posted May 11, 2023 3 hours ago, Ford2112 said: It's a shame Its a crime. 3
Popular Post Ryan Posted May 11, 2023 Popular Post Posted May 11, 2023 3 hours ago, Arabian said: I think this is due to the lack of availability of CC in EU and not the price increase. so of course people will look for alternatives. the issue is once many people become hooked to NC it might be difficult for Habanos to gain back their market share. Yes, the price increase will have some effect but it's mostly availability. Every European distributor/retailer, has been having discussions and doing deals with non-Cuban cigar makers for at least the last two years, before the big price jump last year. Spanish shops have been increasing their non-Cuban shelf-space for at least 10 years, that has grown rapidly over the last two. I know Spanish estanco owners who have regular events, monthly drink/ food pairings with a cigar etc. Four years ago it would be unthinkable that they would host one of these with a non-Cuban pairing. Now it's the norm. Spain has its own specific issues. Habanos/Altadis/Imperial has been squeezing Spanish retailers for years. They have been getting better deals from non-Cuban suppliers for a long time. Still, while there was stock, every Spanish estanco with a humidor sold Cuban cigars. European shops are well aware that not enough stock is coming from Cuba and that is not likely to change too much in the next few years. If they don't have some other cigars to sell, they'll be selling vapes, as some already are. Something has to go on the shelves. Retailers cannot have empty shelf-space, it's paying rent for air. Not to mention rates, heating, staff etc. Probably half of the Spanish estancos that have a cigar humidor, who used to have Habanos cigars and cigar-accessories in the shop window, now they have IQOS branding in the window. I hear the same stories from other parts of Europe and Asia. Cigar sales are also up in most markets. Maybe a hold-over from Covid lockdowns. Many people had spare money from no bars, restaurants, cinema, theatre, shows, fuel, whatever. Sitting in their back garden with a glass of wine, they wanted something to do with the other hand. Many cigar shops in Europe could stay open during general lockdown closures as, in Ireland's case for example, some sell alcoholic drinks too. For maybe unfortunate reasons, alcohol is regarded as an emergency requirement. If Cuba could double exports tomorrow, they would sell. 3 4
LordAnubis Posted May 11, 2023 Posted May 11, 2023 “Buy one box of RASS and 2x value in NC garbage is the new “buy one rass and two quinteros” so not surprised this is the case.
BrightonCorgi Posted May 11, 2023 Posted May 11, 2023 4 hours ago, Ryan said: Probably half of the Spanish estancos that have a cigar humidor, who used to have Habanos cigars and cigar-accessories in the shop window, now they have IQOS branding in the window. Easier to find & buy weed than Habanos in Spain today. 1
SCgarman Posted May 11, 2023 Posted May 11, 2023 12 hours ago, El Presidente said: Under their new model.....they don't care. In fact, being a little niche suits them better. Does Rolex/PP care where they stand in numbers? They sell out. HSA no longer want to know 50% of us. Rolex apparently does care, as they are investing a boatload of cash to build another factory to increase production numbers. The bad optics of having empty shelves in Rolex dealers world wide is not acceptable for one of the most valuable brands on the planet. Habanos can't match what Rolex is doing, as they are too dysfunctional, and the whole Cuban cigar infrastructure is broken. The whole switch to "luxury" status, and ridiculous pricing are just survival mechanisms for Habanos. Nothing more than smoke and mirrors to conceal a broken industry/economy/country. And record low production numbers. 3
El Presidente Posted May 11, 2023 Author Posted May 11, 2023 4 hours ago, SCgarman said: The bad optics of having empty shelves in Rolex dealers world wide is not acceptable for one of the most valuable brands on the planet. Habanos can't match what Rolex is doing, as they are too dysfunctional, There is a balance required. However without a level of scarcity, you don't make the cut as a "luxury" product. The most powerful word in luxury marketing is "NO". No, there is a wait list. No, you can't afford it. No, you don't qualify. 1
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