Illegal Cigarette

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Guide
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GAME
CHANGERS
CAMPAIGN
04
WSBLs
2015
2018 National Tobacco
07 05
Market Study TEMPLATES
STATIONERY
TYPEFACES
Executive Summary
06 Report
Highlights
• Cigarette sales at prices below the minimum tax owed to

SARS (R17.85 per pack) were found in almost 3 out of 4 Cigarette sales at prices below the minimum
non-organised shops1– a total of 100 000 shops. These tax owed to SARS (R17.85 per pack) were
shops account for 79.7% of all tobacco sales.
found in almost 3 out of 4 non-organised
• 33.4% of cigarettes sales in these shops are below the
minimum tax owed per pack2. shops. Non-organised shops account for
• According to TISA, brands retailing at prices consistently 79.7% of all tobacco sales.
below the tax owed on a pack of cigarettes (R17.85) are
assumed not to have paid the tax due. It is also possible
• GLTC’s number one brand, RG, is now the second biggest
that some brands retailing at or above this level are also
brand in the market overall and the biggest selling brand
illicit but it’s impossible for research to assess this.
selling below the tax due. It is followed by Savannah, also
• One manufacturer – Gold Leaf Tobacco Company (GLTC)
from Gold Leaf Tobacco Company, Caesar from Best
– accounts for 75.1% of sales below minimum tax owed.
Tobacco Company and Sharp from GLTC.
• GLTC’s RG sells for R10.50 per pack on average or 60c
One manufacturer – Gold Leaf Tobacco per cigarette. Some brands were found at as low as R5
Company (GLTC) – accounts for 75.1% of per pack.
sales below minimum tax owed. • 77.8% of GLTC’s cigarette sales are below the minimum
tax owed per pack.
Methodology
The methodology used was a retail audit carried out in that universe to audit. It audited 2058 outlets and each one
June 2018 (mobile hawkers, taverns and shebeens were was audited twice.
excluded from the retail universe in scope). Ipsos first
conducted a retail census to estimate the size of the retail The research methodology has been peer reviewed by local
universe and then selected a representative sample from and international research experts and academics.
Commentary
The non-organised trade accounts for the vast majority research found brands selling for as low as R5 per pack
of total cigarette sales. There are approximately 135,000 and the most popular, RG, sells for R10.50 on average
shops operating in this channel. Companies selling ultra- (or 60c per cigarette). The price gap between RG and the
cheap cigarettes at prices below tax owed have made deep most popular legal brand is approximately R26.
inroads into the non-organised market and have developed
a highly efficient distribution and marketing system. Ultra- Independent superettes, corner cafés and semi-wholesalers
cheap brands are available in almost three out of every four (general dealers) are key channels for ultra-cheap brands.
of these shops, enabling manufacturers to focus retailers However, table tops (hawkers) provide a key entry point
on brand equity building and sales instead of logistics. mainly through loose stick sales.
According to TISA, a typical indicator of an illicit cigarette One tobacco manufacturer is overwhelmingly dominant in
is pricing below R17.85, which is the sum of the excise this trade.
tax due on a pack of 20 cigarettes and 15% VAT. Our
1
Independent small and medium businesses, including spazas, general dealers, corner cafes and hawkers
2
26.8% of total cigarette sales, including organised retail
Findings Detail by Brand
GLTC’s RG, is the dominant brand in the market for R10.50 on average. At the portfolio level, 75.1% of sales
ultra-cheap cigarettes. It is the largest brand in the non- below the tax due are accounted for by GLTC brands.
organised trade and the second largest overall, retailing for
Top 10 brands in the market for ultra-cheap cigarettes (Packs and loose sticks)
# Brand owner Brand Share of market Lowest price Average price
1 GLTC RG 50,5 R 9,90 R 10,50

2 GLTC SAVANNAH 8,9 R 10,00 R 13,10
3 BEST TOBACCO CAESAR 6,3 R 6,40 R 10,20
4 GLTC SHARP 6,3 R 9,80 R 11,90
5 GLTC CHICAGO 5,8 R 10,00 R 12,00
6 GLTC SAHAWI 2,5 R 10,00 R 10,60
7 SAVANNAH (ZIM) PACIFIC 2,3 R 8,20 R 10,60
8 MASTERMIND TOB YES 2,2 R 10,00 R 10,40
9 CTC JFK 2,2 R 10,00 R 10,40
10 ATM CK 1,7 R 10,00 R 11,80
Top 10 Contribution to Total: 88,70%
Share of volume below Minimum Collectable Tax by Manufacturer
6.3% 3.6%
2.3%
1.9%
75.1%
10.8%
Gold Leaf Tobacco

Best Tobacco Company
Amalgamated Tobacco Manufacturers
Savannah (Zimbabwe)
Carnilinx Tobacco Company
Other (Including unidentifiable and unattributable brands)
Findings Detail by Region
The Western Cape, followed by Gauteng, Eastern Cape and North West, are the key hotspots where ultra-cheap cigarettes
are most readily available.
Provincial availability by Brand (Packs and loose sticks)
# Province Percentage of stores #1 Brand Manufacturer Percentage of stores

where ultra-cheap (availability) where brand was
brands were found available
1 WC 79 CHICAGO GLTC 71
2 GP 75 RG GLTC 65
3 EC 66 SAVANNAH GLTC 36
4 NW 71 RG GLTC 67
5 FS 66 RG GLTC 55
6 LP 63 RG GLTC 56
7 KZN 65 PACIFIC SAVANNAH 32
ZIMBABWE
8 MP 51 RG GLTC 44
9 NC 37 RG GLTC 33
Conclusion
Ultra-cheap brands retailing for below the tax due on a share of the total tobacco market, and is now the dominant
pack are widely available and gaining volume share within brand within the non-organised retail sector.
the non-organised sector. It has become very difficult for
A combination of price and availability has enabled these
retailers to compete if they do not stock these brands,
brands to gain market share. With a significant presence
given their ultra-low prices.
in wholesale channels and the mainstay spaza and table
top network, they are perfectly primed to continue to grow
One manufacturer, GLTC, is developing a share at a fast rate.
strong portfolio of brands, led by RG.
A combination of price and availability has
One manufacturer, GLTC, is developing a strong portfolio of enabled these brands to gain market share.
brands, led by RG. The RG brand has gained a significant

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09 03

• Cigarette sales at prices below the minimum tax owed to

# Brand owner Brand Share of market Lowest price Average price

1 GLTC RG 50,5 R 9,90 R 10,50

Share of volume below Minimum Collectable Tax by Manufacturer

Gold Leaf Tobacco

Provincial availability by Brand (Packs and loose sticks)

# Province Percentage of stores #1 Brand Manufacturer Percentage of stores

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