Cigarette group Imperial Tobacco today hailed the growing UK popularity of its roll-your-own brands as it forecast a full year performance in line with expectations.
Imperial, which makes Drum and Golden Virginia tobacco, said it had increased its share of the roll-your-own market to 65.5% in August from 65.1% in April.
The group, whose flagship cigarette brand is Lambert & Butler, added that it had consolidated its leading annual average share of the UK cigarette market at 44.6%.
Bristol-based Imperial said one of its other key markets, Germany, remained challenging following tobacco tax increases in that country in March.
But it said the upbeat UK performance and market share gains in the rest of western Europe had helped it continue to make good overall progress.
Chief executive Gareth Davis said: "We will continue to drive profitable growth."
Monday September 20, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article