Panda in demand at Sky Connection

Gavin Lipsith

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The ultra-premium Chinese cigarette brand has made a big impression with the Hong Kong retailer's customers since its launch

Hong Kong International airport liquor and tobacco concessionaire Sky Connection has been forced to restrict sales of ultra-premium Chinese cigarette brand Panda after unexpected demand. The brand retails at $36 per 100-stick carton—five times the retail price of Marlboro—at Sky Connection, and the company had to limit sales to two cartons for each passenger during the promotional launch period in order to preserve its supply.

Sky Connection merchandising and buying director Simon Au told DFNI Asia that the brand's exclusivity had driven demand amongst mainland Chinese passengers. "[Previously] Panda was only available to the leaders of China, particularly for chairman Deng Xiaoping," he said. "Now for the first time it is available for sale in very selective outlets, which has generated big demand."

As reported in DFNI October 1 2005, Panda was made available at a few duty-free locations last October, including Osaka Kansai, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles and Taipei Chiang Kai-shek airports.

At Hong Kong, Sky Connection has created a focal point for the brand by positioning a themed display alongside its range of Chinese wines, and employing a trained brand ambassador dressed in a traditional Chinese cheungsam.