Thursday, July 23 2009
By Mary Jane Pittilla, Brands Editor
The Moodie Report
SWITZERLAND -- The Villiger Group has crowned its 120th anniversary by achieving sales growth of +4.7% to €121.7 million in 2008 compared to the previous year. The balance sheet and brand portfolio remain "exceedingly strong", it said.
A principal growth driver was its German domestic business into which the Longfiller Division “El Mundo del Tabaco” was integrated in October 2008. Sales in Switzerland also improved by +0.9% following the takeover of Wuhrmann Cigars in February 2008, despite the increasing number of smoking bans in that market.
To commemorate its 120th birthday milestone, the Villiger Group launched its first hand-made cigar called VILLIGER 1888.
"The brand received an overwhelming response at the 2008 TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes not only for its excellent quality but also for its outstanding design," the company said. "In Asia, where the number 1888 symbolises great fortune, blind orders were received from customers without inquiring the brand’s retail price."
Overseas markets have proven especially receptive to Villiger, whose brands have demonstrated considerable success across Asia, the company reported. The first official listing of VILLIGER 1888 and VILLIGER PREMIUM cigars was recently made in Vietnam. Substantial expansion was also noted in Middle East travel retail markets due to extensive sales training and effective point of sale branding.
Villiger boosts sales in its 120th anniversary year continues at themoodiereport.com...
