1. Altria Going Superpremium?
Three trends in tobacco products and regluation stood out during the NATO Show in May as having the legs to disrupt the category in 2016 and beyond.
They begin with the largest tobacco-product manufacturer in the country: Altria. Given the continued double-digit growth of Reynolds’ Natural American Spirits brand, analyst Bonnie Herzog of Wells Fargo Securities said No. 1 player Altria is “open” to entering the superpremium space via acquisition or developing its own brand.