Smokeshop

SS February 2016

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20 SMOKESHOP February 2016 Industry NEWS AmericanCigarAcc_SS Dec08 5/20/09 5:39 PM Page 1 House of Emilio Now Boutiques United; Named Black Label Trading Distributor vineland, n.j.— L.J. Zucca, a 65-year-old multiple-category convenience store wholesaler serving retailers throughout the mid-Atlantic Region, has rebrand- ed its premium cigar division from House of Emilio to Boutiques United effective Jan. 18. Boutiques United continues to operate with its previously existing portfolio of premium hand-rolled cigar brands—Ezra Zion, Nomad Cigar Co., Emilio, and 1502—while announcing in February that it is also now handling distribution for Black Label Trading Co. and its associated brand, Black Works Studio. Each company is independently owned and operated; by combining distribution resources, each can focus on devel- oping and producing their cigars. While all sales personnel and logistics remain the same, the company has rolled out an entirely new website and correspond- ing social media accounts under the Boutiques United name. "It's been a banner year for us. This is the next step in our evolution," said L.J. Zucca owner Scott Zucca. "2016 will be amazing, and this is just the tip of the iceberg." "Boutiques United is about making great cigars with great brands and serving our customers well," said Ezra Zion co-own- er Chris Kelly. "This is who we are and what we do everyday." As the fifth and newest brand in the Boutiques United port- folio, founded in 2013, Black Label Trading Co. employs a small batch production model for its releases and opened its own fac- tory, Fabrica Oveja Negra, last year in Estelí, Nicaragua. "Black Label embodies what we view as a successful boutique cigar company," said Zucca. "They not only make a fantastic product, but their leadership team has the drive to get it into the hands of cigar smokers." Boutiques United can now be reached by email at info@ BoutiquesUnited.com or visit BoutiquesUnited.com. Scandinavian Tobacco Group Notches $1.51 bln Market Cap in Danish IPO copenhagen— Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG), the world's largest cigar maker and also a major pipe tobacco producer, debuted on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange on February 10 in its initial public offering (IPO) at $15.10 per share, represent- ing a market capitalization of $1.51 billion. Prior to the sale, Swedish Match controlled 49 percent of STG, while the remain- ing 51 percent was held by Skandinavisk Holding II A/S, which is controlled by two Danish foundations. The two companies sold 17.8 million shares each in the offering. In 2014, approxi- mately 38 percent of STG's sales came from the United States, where it holds a market-leading position in cigars.

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