Lambert & Butler and Sterling share the mantle for top convenience seller. Ramesh Shingadia says: “Lambert & Butler is our top seller, but it’s all influenced by pricemarked packs (PMPs). If you have a medium-priced cigarette brand on PMP, then it’ll fly. Roll your own has grown, too, with Amber Leaf selling best.”

Amber Leaf also scored highly among the poll’s respondents, while Sterling’s success reflects smokers’ demand for quality and value for money, says JTI head of communications Jeremy Blackburn. “Value is now the UK’s fastest-growing tobacco sector,” he adds.

Imperial Tobacco head of convenience Mike Laney says: “The continuing growth of RYO has been the hot trend this past year. More than 70,000 tonnes of RYO tobacco were sold by UK retailers last year, 12% more than the previous year.” •

top-selling brands

Lambert & Butler 54%

Sterling 54%

Amber Leaf 53%

Mayfair 50%

Richmond 45%

Benson & Hedges 39%

Golden Virginia 36%

Marlboro 31%

JPS Silver 28%

Windsor Blue 26%