NEW YORK (Yosefardi) – Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) its estimated total cigarette market was essentially flat in 2015, reflecting a soft economic environment.
The slight increase in PMI’s market share reflected a strong performance from its machine-made kretek brands, notably Sampoerna A, Dji Sam Soe Magnum and Dji Sam Soe Magnum Blue, largely offset by U Mild, and a decline in its hand-rolled kretek portfolio, notably due to Sampoerna Hijau in “Others,” down by 0.4 points to 3.0%.
In the quarter, the increase of the estimated total cigarette market mainly reflected a favorable comparison with the fourth quarter of 2014, which was negatively impacted by the elimination of fuel subsidies and higher commodity costs.
The decrease in PMI’s market share was mainly due to the muted performance of A Mild 16s and U Mild following their crossing of critical retail pack price points, ahead of competition, in advance of the January 2016 excise tax increase, as well as a decline in its hand-rolled kretek portfolio, notably due to Sampoerna Hijau in “Others,” down by 0.2 points to 3.0%.