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.