JT’s cigarette sales down year-on-year

Japan Tobacco Inc.’s domestic cigarette sales volume during May, at 9.2 billion, was down by 10.3 percent on that of May 2013, 10.2 billion, according to preliminary figures issued by the company today. The May 2013 figure was increased by 0.4 percent on that of May 2012.

Volume during January–May 2014, at 46.3 billion, was down by 0.9 percent on that of January–May 2013, 46.7 billion, which was down by 0.8 percent on that of January–May 2012. (JT is in the process of changing its accounting year from April–March to January–December, and this is only the second time that, in presenting its monthly sales figures, it has given year-to-date figures calculated from Jan. 1.)

JT’s market share stood at 59.7 percent during May, at 60.8 percent during January–May and at 60.5 percent for January–December 2013.

JT’s domestic cigarette revenue during May, at ¥51.4 billion, was down by 7.8 percent from its May 2013 revenue, ¥55.8 billion.

Revenue during January–May 2014, at ¥255.7 billion, was down by 0.2 percent on that of January–May 2013, ¥256.3 billion.