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Tag: Imperial Brands

  • Imperial Warning Landlords to Police Tenants Selling Illicit Products

    Imperial Warning Landlords to Police Tenants Selling Illicit Products

    Imperial Brands warned commercial landlords across the UK that they could face criminal prosecution if they continue to collect rent from retail tenants selling counterfeit or illicit tobacco products. The company said it has written to landlords of multiple premises where investigations identified illegal tobacco sales despite repeated enforcement action, formally notifying them of the potential legal consequences if the activity continues.

    Imperial said landlords who knowingly benefit from illegal trade could face prosecution under the UK’s Proceeds of Crime Act, in addition to penalties associated with the sale of counterfeit goods, which can carry prison sentences of up to 10 years and unlimited fines. The company cited recent case law that it says confirms landlords may be held liable if they continue accepting rent from premises involved in illicit trade.

    Imperial is urging landlords to enforce lease provisions prohibiting illegal activity, cooperate with enforcement authorities, and evict non-compliant tenants where necessary. Deirdre Healy, Head of Corporate and Legal Affairs at Imperial Brands UK, said landlords “cannot turn a blind eye” to illicit tobacco sales, adding that the company is prepared to pursue legal remedies, including injunctions and support for criminal investigations, against landlords who fail to act.

  • Imperial Expands U.S. Portfolio with Black Buffalo Acquisition

    Imperial Expands U.S. Portfolio with Black Buffalo Acquisition

    Imperial Brands announced it has acquired Black Buffalo in a deal valued at $150 million upfront, with additional performance-based payments over the next three years, as the company looks to expand its position in the fast-growing U.S. oral nicotine category. The acquisition gives Imperial and its U.S. subsidiary ITG Brands a stronger foothold beyond traditional nicotine pouches through Black Buffalo’s tobacco-free long cut and pouch products designed to replicate the experience of moist smokeless tobacco.

    Founded in 2015 and manufactured in North Carolina using U.S.-grown leafy greens, Black Buffalo has built a growing presence in the U.S. modern oral segment that has generated roughly $6.6 billion in sales over the past year and continues to grow at double-digit rates. While Imperial’s existing Zone pouch brand recently reached about 2.8% national market share across more than 109,000 U.S. stores, the company said Black Buffalo’s differentiated positioning complements its existing oral portfolio and strengthens its long-term next-generation products strategy as cigarette volumes continue to decline globally.

  • Imperial Backs UK’s Push to Fight Organized Crime

    Imperial Backs UK’s Push to Fight Organized Crime

    Imperial Brands backs new Government crackdown on illicit trade to protect honest retailers

    Imperial Brands has welcomed the UK Government’s new £30m High Street organised crime unit[1], designed to tackle illicit trade and support law-abiding retailers across the UK.

    The move follows growing concern around the scale of criminal activity operating through some high street outlets, with illegal products undercutting legitimate businesses and distorting fair competition amongst retailers.

    Under the plans, offending premises will face increased enforcement action, including raids, closures and asset seizures, with additional funding provided to Trading Standards teams.

    Imperial Brands believes this step will help level the playing field for responsible retailers who operate within the law and serve their local communities.

    James Hall, Anti-Illicit Trade Manager, Imperial Brands, said:

    “Honest retailers are being undermined every day by illegal operators selling illicit and unregulated products.

    “Stronger enforcement is essential to protect those doing the right thing and to restore a fair playing field across the high street.

    “We welcome this action and will continue working with retailers and authorities to help tackle illicit trade.”

    He continued: “As a business committed to the highest possible standards in manufacture and retail practice, we have always stood with ethical retailers who do the right thing when it comes to sourcing and selling tobacco and nicotine products.”

    Illicit tobacco and nicotine products are increasingly being sold through a range of outlets, including some convenience stores, vape shops and other high street premises.

    This impacts not only customers, suppliers and government revenues but also the viability of legitimate local retailers, many of whom are already operating in a challenging economic environment.

    Imperial Brands continues to work closely with Trading Standards, law enforcement agencies and retailers to raise awareness, support compliance and help identify illegal activity.

    The company says sustained enforcement, combined with retailer education and collaboration, will be key to tackling the issue long term and protecting responsible businesses. As illicit trade becomes increasingly organised and sophisticated, robust enforcement and meaningful penalties are essential to protect legitimate retailers and local communities.

    Imperial Brands has long called for stronger enforcement action, tougher penalties, and greater support for Trading Standards to help tackle illicit trade and protect responsible retailers.

    Imperial Brands strongly encourage retailers to report any potential illicit trade activity in their area to our sales teams, who can then report it on our dedicated trade platform. Alternatively, retailers can contact us directly through email suspectit.reportit@uk.imptob.com or our anti-illicit trade hotline on 0800 049 5992. 

    [1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3pzwx449no

  • Imperial Says Middle East Impact Won’t Be Seen Until 2027

    Imperial Says Middle East Impact Won’t Be Seen Until 2027

    Imperial Brands said ongoing conflict in the Middle East could raise costs and weigh on consumer demand if prolonged, though the company has not yet seen a material impact and maintained its full-year guidance. CEO Lukas Paravicini told reporters that any disruption—particularly to inputs such as filters and plastics and to logistics—would likely affect financial performance from 2027 onward, as energy and supply chain pressures build.

    For the first half, Imperial reported small growth slightly below expectations, as cigarette volume declines and competition in next-generation products weighed on performance. The company also reported a 16-basis-point decline in market share across key markets, reflecting a strategic focus on profitability over volume.

  • Imperial Offers Guidance to Retailers Over UK Law

    Imperial Offers Guidance to Retailers Over UK Law

    Imperial Brands positioned its latest communication on the UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 as guidance to help retailers navigate the upcoming regulatory changes, emphasizing that implementation will be phased and not immediate. The company highlighted key confirmed timelines—such as restrictions on promotions from October 2026 and the generational smoking ban from January 2027—while noting that many other measures affecting vaping products, nicotine pouches, and retail operations remain subject to consultation and secondary legislation.

    “It is important that retailers take the opportunity to engage with these consultations as they come forward,” Stephen Rooney, senior government affairs manager at Imperial said. “Their input will be vital in ensuring that the practical realities of running a retail business are properly understood as the detailed rules are developed.”

    Imperial said further government guidance and a detailed implementation roadmap will be critical in helping retailers understand compliance requirements. The company indicated it will continue supporting retail partners with practical advice as more details emerge, positioning its updates as a resource to prepare for evolving regulatory obligations.

  • Altria Outperforms Peers as Cigarette Declines Moderate: Motley Fool

    Altria Outperforms Peers as Cigarette Declines Moderate: Motley Fool

    A recent Motley Fool analysis highlights continued declines in U.S. cigarette volumes, though at a slower pace than expected, with industry data showing a 4.3% to 5.5% year-over-year drop and a 5.1% decline so far in 2026. The figures came in better than earlier projections, suggesting the rate of contraction in the traditional cigarette market may be stabilizing somewhat, even as long-term declines persist.

    The report notes that Altria is outperforming key competitors in this environment, with its cigarette volumes down 4.7% compared to sharper declines of 9.3% for British American Tobacco and 9% for Imperial Brands. At the same time, Motley Fool said next-generation products show mixed performance, with nicotine pouches growing 22% while e-cigarette volumes fell 17%, underscoring uneven momentum across reduced-risk categories as companies continue to navigate the transition away from combustible products.

  • Imperial Flags Share Losses, Leans on H2 Growth for FY26

    Imperial Flags Share Losses, Leans on H2 Growth for FY26

    Imperial Brands warned of modest first-half profit growth and expected market share declines across its key markets, sending shares down more than 8%, as the company pivots toward profitability over volume. While reaffirming its FY26 guidance, including low-single-digit tobacco growth, double-digit next-generation product (NGP) revenue growth, and £2.2 billion in free cash flow, the group said performance would be weighted to the second half, supported by pricing in combustibles and continued momentum in heated tobacco, vaping, and oral nicotine.

    The shift comes as Imperial accelerates its five-year strategy to expand alternatives while stabilizing its core tobacco business, though weaker trends in the U.S. and Australia and heightened geopolitical risks linked to Middle East tensions could impact the outlook.

  • IMPERIAL BRANDS ADDS NEW FLAVOUR TO POPULAR BLU LINE UP

    IMPERIAL BRANDS ADDS NEW FLAVOUR TO POPULAR BLU LINE UP

    Imperial Brands has announced the addition of a brand-new flavor to its popular blu vape offering with the arrival of Sour Berry.

    Launching across retail in April, and with an RRP of £5.99, Sour Berry is the newest addition to blu bar kit and blu box kit’s extensive flavor range, bringing the total number of flavor options available to customers to 17.

    With fruit-flavors preferred by 83% of vape users, customer demand is seeking differentiated, less synthetic flavors in this category. In response, Imperial Brands launched Sour Berry to expand its blu vape flavor range in line with customer preferences. The newest addition will offer a more authentic flavor profile of wild berries, sharpened by tartness, to provide a superior flavor experience for users, engaging their senses with distinct, vibrant berry notes.

    The new Sour Berry flavor uses the innovative AuthentiTaste formulation, which are liquids crafted with flavorings that mirror real fruit profiles and sensorial cues – like sourness – delivering a fresh, captivating experience.

    The new Sour Berry flavour will be available in two formats:

    • blu bar kit: Offering 1,000 puffs of intense, authentic flavor per prefilled, replaceable pod. The kit features a sleek device and is compatible with all other flavors in the extensive blu pod range, allowing users to enjoy a variety of flavor experiences.
    • blu pod pack: Each pack includes two replacement blu pods, delivering an impressive total of 2,000 puffs per pod pack.

    Shirley Soccio, Head of Consumer Marketing UK & Ireland at Imperial Brands, commented: “Vape users across the UK continue to demand new and exciting flavors. As a business, we remain committed to ensuring our range reflects evolving customer taste preferences. For retailers, this means that they can in turn offer the best products and experiences to their customers.

    “A recurring point of feedback among customers is that they see some flavors on the market as artificial or one-dimensional. To address this, Sour Berry has been formulated specifically to offer an unexpected yet genuine flavor experience, which we anticipate will create strong demand from vape users.”

    For further information, visit https://www.blu.com/en-GB.

  • Imperial to Close Langenhagen Plant by 2027

    Imperial Brands announced it will shut down cigarette production at its Reemtsma plant in Langenhagen, Germany, by 2027 after failing to secure a buyer, a move affecting around 600 employees. The site, operating since 1971 and currently producing cigarettes, fine-cut tobacco, and tobacco sticks for heated products, is the last Reemtsma manufacturing location in Germany. Company executive Sami Naffakh said extensive efforts to find a viable solution for the plant’s future had proved unsuccessful, citing high production costs, underutilization, and declining volumes in the traditional tobacco segment.

    Germany’s Food, Beverages and Restaurants Union criticized the process, claiming workers were kept in the dark about buyer discussions, while Imperial Brands said the union had been kept indirectly informed within confidentiality limits. The closure follows an October announcement that the site would either be sold or wound down, with production expected to be phased out over the next two years.

  • Imperial Introduces Creamy Tobacco Flavor for Blu

    Imperial Introduces Creamy Tobacco Flavor for Blu

    Imperial Brands officially launched its new Creamy Tobacco flavor, bringing the total number of options in the blu portfolio to 16. Priced at £5.99, the new variant will be available across the blu bar kit and pod pack ranges and is designed to offer a rich tobacco taste with a smooth, creamy finish. First announced in December, the company said the addition responds to continued demand for tobacco-flavored vape products and is intended to create further sales opportunities for UK retailers.