Royal Agio Cigars is concluding a “highly successful” year of expansion in travel retail, with particularly significant gains recorded in Turkey, Asia and the Middle East.
The Dutch cigar company attributes much of this progress to an increasingly diverse product selection spearheaded by the success of the Balmoral Dominican Selection range.
Formally introduced into global travel retail at the TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition, the latest addition to this series – the Balmoral Dominican Selection Collection 12 Giftbox – houses Small Panatela, Panatela and Corona cigars, along with a Dominican Olor binder and Ecuador shade wrapper, in a crafted wooden box sporting a photo sleeve illustration.
 |
Balmoral Dominican Selection 12 Giftbox |
The product’s potential for gifting and self-purchase was recognised in October when the Balmoral Dominican Selection Collection 12 Giftbox was awarded the Gold Buyers’ Forum trophy during the 2012 Frontier Awards in Cannes.
“The Buyers’ Forum Awards are judged by industry experts, so it was fantastic to receive the recognition of our travel retail peers,” said Royal Agio Cigars Export Manager Gertrude Stormink. “The award confirmed our feeling that we had produced a travel retail exclusive of enduring quality and widespread appeal. We are delighted by the tremendously enthusiastic reaction to this product from retailers and consumers.”
Agio’s new product innovation has not been limited to the Balmoral Dominican Selection Collection 12 Giftbox. The company has also experienced strong levels of interest in the short but sturdy Balmoral Dominican Selection Short Corona cigar, as well as the Agio Tip Sweet 50’s flavoured cigars.
In addition, Agio undertook a redesign of the packaging and logo for its Panter brand, and implemented a new brand world, Panter Good Company, that the company claims has resonated with customers worldwide.
For 2013 the company is planning fresh brand extensions in multiple areas of the Agio product range. Stormink said that cigar connoisseurs can expect to see “an important rollout of our Balmoral brand, our premium short-filler Balmoral Dominican Selection, and our new line of Balmoral Royal Selection cigars. We are also gearing up to introduce some new travel retail exclusives under the Balmoral brand.”
Additionally, Agio aims to further boost its in-store impact with a new retail concept, following successful presentations at airports including Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow, Dubai, Shanghai Pudong and Beijing Capital International this year.
“We are finalising a concept that we believe will elevate the presentation, visibility and experience of the short-filler cigar segment within travel retail,” Stormink revealed. “We are extremely excited by this new project and look forward to disclosing more details in early 2013.”
 |
 |
 |
The rebranding of Panter has resonated with customers worldwide, according to Agio |
[houseAd5]
