Ray Tobacco Sets Out Global Travel Retail Expansion Plans

Source from:  The Moodie Report 12/08/2011

Ray Tobacco International Ltd has unveiled its travel retail ambitions following the appointment of Chris Pfister as Export Director of the Hong Kong-based company. Speaking to The Moodie Report, Pfister explained the history and background of the company, which already has a big presence in Asia. "Ray Tobacco was founded in 2008 by a group of cigarette specialists with many years of experience in cigarette production as well as distribution," he said. "The production facilities are in various licensed cigarette factories in southeast Asia, where we have a production quota reserved for us. "The first countries we entered were in southeast Asia, where we are also listed in many duty free and travel retail outlets in border shops and airports."

Turning to the Middle Eastern market, where the company is also strong, Pfister continued: "The second area of activities lies in the Middle East where we have obtained a solid base in domestic as well as duty free and travel retail." Now, Pfister's attention is turning to other international markets, where travel retail will play a key role. "Our policy now is to enter additional markets in Africa, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Central and South America," he said. "Our policy is to establish our main brands in all major markets around the world and to use the duty free and travel retail channel as our window to increase the awareness of our brands."

Product portfolio expansion Ray Tobacco's brands cover both American blend cigarettes Ray and ESTI Slims as well as Virginia blend cigarettes Walton and Jackman. Most brands are offered in a full flavour, a light and a menthol version. The company has now extended its product range into liquor products, as Pfister explained: "Our success in the areas mentioned made us enlarge our portfolio and we successfully introduced our first blended Scotish whisky under the Walton Royal Blend and are now starting with a Walton Royal Blend Beer as well." Ray Tobacco hopes to be able to participate in the TFWA Asia Pacific show in Singapore and the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes next year, said Pfister.

About Ray Tobacco International Ltd Ray Tobacco was founded in 2008 by a group of cigarette specialists with many years of experience in cigarette production as well as distribution. The production facilities are in various licensed cigarette factories in southeast Asia. The company, which has wide distribution in Asia and the Middle East, also produces Scotch whisky and beer. Enditem