JTI is strengthening its value cigarette offering for price-conscious smokers and offering retailers the chance to make bigger profits by launching B&H Blue. 

[pull_quote_right]Retailers should stock B&H Blue as part of a full range of Benson and Hedges products to demonstrate the best choice and value to existing adult smokers[/pull_quote_right]

Available from this month, the brand comes in King Size 19s and Smooth Flavour King Size 19s, RRP £6.50. Both price-marked and non-price-marked packs are available and, for its launch, JTI is giving retailers 10% profit on return, making them 54p per pack sold. 

Jeremy Blackburn, JTI head of communications, said the new product tapped into the trend for smokers to downtrade. “Retailers should stock B&H Blue as part of a full range of Benson and Hedges products to demonstrate the best choice and value to existing adult smokers,” he added.

B&H Blue is being backed by seven weeks of support from JTI’s sales reps, and to celebrate the launch, the company is running a competition offering tobacco retailers the chance to win a range of prizes, including two Sony TVs, 15 iPad Airs and 30 Sony Clock Radios. 

Every retailer that enters the competition will also receive a £5 money-off next purchase coupon for B&H Blue. Retailers need to collect two barcodes from B&H Blue outers and return with a completed entry form before August 8.

The stats

• 19-packs have a 10% share of the total cigarette market
• Value cigarettes account for more than 30% of the tabacco market