Bristol, UK-based Imperial Tobacco Group has reported growth for the nine months to the end of June in its interim management statement issued today.
The company has also confirmed that its overall financial position and group operational performance for the financial year to 30 September 2012 is in line with expectations.
In the nine months to 30 June 2012, Imperial said that tobacco net revenue was up three per cent, adding that its total tobacco portfolio was performing well, with ongoing price/mix improvements within each region.
The company experienced strong key strategic brand growth, with net revenues up 13 per cent and combined stick equivalent volumes up six per cent. Strong gains were made with the key strategic brands Davidoff, Gauloises Blondes, West and JPS.
Imperial said that outside the EU it achieved excellent performances from its key strategic brands in numerous emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
The company also reported excellent emerging market growth in Cuban cigars and significant snus gains. Volumes of luxury Cuban cigars increased by one per cent in total and by 10 per cent in emerging markets, and snus volumes grew by 39 per cent.
Commenting on the announcement, CEO Alison Cooper said: "This good performance builds on the positive sales momentum we're generating across our total tobacco portfolio in both EU and Non-EU markets.
"I'm particularly pleased with the quality of the volume and revenue growth we're achieving with our key strategic brands Davidoff, Gauloises Blondes, West and JPS which now account for almost a third of our total stick equivalent volumes.
"Consistently applying our sales growth drivers to enhance sales across our regions is our priority for the remainder of the year. Challenging conditions persist in some markets but we have a strong record of delivering growth in this environment and remain in a good position to continue maximising value for shareholders."
