JT Makes Small, Giant Market Share Leap

Source from:  tr.itsmyiq.com Apr 24, 2008 04/25/2008

Japan Tobacco Inc said today that it had increased its share of the Japanese market by 0.1 of a percentage point to 64.9 per cent during the fiscal year to March 31. Although the rise was small, it was significant because it was the first such rise since the company's privatization in 1985. The increase in market share was said to have been driven mainly by JT's Mild Seven brand, which last year celebrated its 30th anniversary. The company took advantage of the anniversary to boost sales of the brand through various activities, including new product launches and enhanced sales promotions. And as a result, the brand's share of the market grew by 0.4 of a percentage point to 32.0 per cent. Mild Seven has been the leading brand in Japan for 30 consecutive years, and is currently the third best-selling tobacco brand in the world. At the same time that it announced its improved market position, JT said that it would be launching a new product, Mild Seven Impact One 100's Box, in a nationwide rollout between May and July. The new product will be positioned within the 1mg tar segment, which is growing. Enditem