Couche-Tard Launches Private Brand Cigarettes

The company will offer Crown cigarettes at its U.S. chains.

April 18, 2012

QUEBEC, Canada - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has debuted its own private-label brand of cigarettes in the United States, My [private] Brand reports. The company said it was launching Crown cigarettes in an effort to recoup reduced margins from Marlboro and other cigarette name brands.

Americans are snapping up private-label products, although Crown is among the first entry in the cigarette category. Since Crown??s debut a little over a month ago, the cigarette has proved popular.

"We??re very, very excited with the market share we have taken so far over such a short period," said CEO Alain Bouchard. "It has exceeded our year target after five weeks so it??s very, very exciting. ??We have a shortage of inventory after a couple of weeks after launch so we are very happy."

Couche-Tard stocks Crown at its Circle K, Couche-Tard, Mac??s and On the Run chains, as well as 7-jours, Dairy Mart, Daisy Mart and Winks.

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