The concept of introducing KINSGBORO® cigarettes originated in 2002. Carolina Tobacco Company realized many U.S. chain stores were carrying private label cigarettes that were not meeting consumers’ expectations for quality.
After initial discussions, a major chain of retail tobacco stores solicited Carolina Tobacco Company’s assistance in creating a private label cigarette brand for their stores. The chain was seeking a product that was of high quality, had an attractive package design and would provide premium brand smokers with the taste they desired at a lower price — rivaling the major, premium brands that were sold in their stores.
Bolstered by our successful launch of the ROGER® brand in the United States in 1999 and our acquired expertise, we set out to create a private label cigarette that met our standards and would be well accepted in the marketplace.
The product development process lasted 18 months and included intensive market research on many trade names, package designs and cigarette blends. More than 10 different cigarette tobacco blends were reviewed and tested by private smoking panels. Numerous consumer taste panels were assembled to smoke test and evaluate the various blends that were being developed.
Two finalist blends were determined, and consumers from the retail store chain were selected to try the new cigarette and offer their opinion on the new blends. The consumer panels participated in a blind-taste test that pitted the new blends against many other private brands. The KINGSBORO® cigarette was selected above all others.
The product brand development ran concurrently with the product development After more than 30 different designs and names, the name KINGSBORO® and its current package design were selected.
Today, Carolina Tobacco Company is distributing KINGSBORO® cigarettes in several states. The feedback received from retail stores shows the brand is well received and continuing to gain in popularity.
