A consumer Behaviour Research
Study on ITC Premium Brands of Cigarettes
Submitted on: 2/12/2002
Submitted To:
Dr. Kumud Diwan
Faculty
EMPI Business School
Submitted By:
Koeli Chakroborty
(Roll No. 22)
Sagar Kumar Parida
(Roll No. 25)
Sourav Kapoor
(Roll No. 29)
Shirish Agarwal
(Roll No. 30)
EMPI Business School,
CSKM Educational Complex, Satbari
Mehrauli, New Delhi - 110030
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to express our utmost gratitude to all those who have
helped me throughout the making of this project. We
acknowledge the help and guidance of Dr. Kumud Diwan, Faculty,
EMPI Business School in Conducting the project “A Consumer
Behaviour Study on ITC Premium Brands of Cigarettes.
We would like to extend any special thanks to all the faculty
members and friends who have provided me with valuable
information and support.
Kotli Chakroborty
Prachuria Sharma
Sagar Kumar Parida
Saurabh Kapoor
Shirish Agarwal
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CHAPTER I
Introduction
ITC and Introduction
Vision of the ITC
Mission of the ITC
Core Values of ITC
Radiance of ITC
Business
Major Groups Companies
Core Competence of the ITC Ltd.
Swot Analysis
Objectives
Scope
Limitations
CHAPTER 2
Research Methodology
Research Design
Data Collection Method
Sampling Plan
Sampling Procedure
OBJECTIVES
The major objectives of this research is to study the market share
of different ITC Premium Brand of Cigarettes, the reasons for
smoking, companions with whom they want to smoke, buying
habits, awareness of advertisements, effect of advertisements on
smokers psyche, to study the consumer behaviour on brand
shifting and etc.
SCOPE
The project emphasizes on the study of ITC Premium brands and
ITC acceptability. The research can be used to find out the buying
habits of the consumers.
LIMITATIONS
The main limitation was the location which was confined to South
Delhi. It is assumed that the information’s gathered from
consumer and dealers are correct.
DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT
A two page questionnaire was used for consumers, the question
asked were both open ended and close ended questions.
Sampling Plan
Sample size consisted of 300 respondents and five dealers.
Area of Research: South Delhi
Sampling unit consisted of all cigarettes smokers.
Field Work Plan:
The respondents were contacted on all week days. Consumers
were contacted between 5:30 to 8:30 pm, especially on
Thursdays.
CONCLUSION
From the research we can conclude that consumers mostly smoke
for relaxation (which can be used by the advertises to exploit
consumer psyche). Friend circle are the main reasons for initial
starting up for smoking. Most of the respondents like to stick to
their brand and etc.
CHAPTER – I
INTRODUCTION
ITC AN INTRODUCTION
ITC, an affiliate of BAT has a dominating 66%volume share and
76% value-share in the Indian cigarette market. Cigarette and
tobacco forms the bread and butter business of the company
accounting for 90% of turnover. Besides that ITC also has
interests in hotels, packaging and paper businesses.
The cigarette and tobacco players face increasing protests from
anti-tobacco and health organizations. Globally as well as in India,
the anti-smoking lobbying has been gaining ground. The cigarette
industry faces immense pressure with declining volumes and
increasing government regulations and taxation. Profitability of
most players has been affected. Players like ITC with a strong
brand equity and pricing power have been able to maintain
margins through price increases. The industry has received some
relief in the form of excise exemption for manufacturing in North
Eastern states, and most companies have commenced
manufacture in the region to avail of the excise exemption.
ITC has recently also ventured into a number of new businesses,
which will leverage on its existing strong brand equity. The
company has forayed into retailing business with opening up of its
apparel retail shops in Delhi. It plans to invest Rs2.5bn in these
new ventures. It also plans to enter into retail processed food
business through its hotel chains. The company is also looking at
a likely entry into the greeting cards business. It has also invested
heavily in hotel project, which are expected to be completed by
the end of this year.
In Q1 FY01, the company sales grew by 11%yoy to Rs21.4bn,
although in volume terms cigarette sales grew marginally by 2%.
Value growth has come due to upgradation of product mix
towards a premium portfolio and price hikes undertaken after the
current year's budget. Operating profit margin has improved by
250 basis points to 18.5% and net profit increased by 25% yoy to
Rs2.4bn in Q1.
THE VISION OF ITC
Sustain ITC’s position as one of India’s most valuable corporations
through world class performance, creating growing value for the
Indian economy and the Company's stakeholders.
THE MISSION OF ITC
To enhance the wealth generating capability o the enterprise in a
globalising environment, delivering superior and sustainable
stakeholders value.
CORE VALUES OF ITC
ITC's Core Values are aimed at developing a customer-focused,
high-performance organization which creates value for all its
stakeholders:
Trusteeship
As professional managers, we are conscious that ITC has been
given to us in "trust" by all our stakeholders. We will redeem the
trust reposed in us by continuously adding value to ITC.
Customer Focus
We will always be customer focused. We will deliver what the
customer needs in terms of value, quality and satisfaction.
Respect For People
We will respect and value people and uphold humanness and
human dignity.
We will value differences in individual perspectives. We want
individuals to dream, create and experiment in pursuit of
opportunities and achieve leadership through teamwork.
Excellence
We will strive for excellence in whatever we do. We will do what is
right, do it well and win.
Innovation
We will constantly innovate and strive to better our processes,
products, services and management practices.
Ethical Corporate Citizenship
We will pursue exemplary standards of ethical behaviour. We will
at all times comply with the laws of the land.
THE RADIANCE OF ITC
The Genesis:
The story of the Imperial Tobacco Company Limited,
extraordinary though dates back long before the company came
into prominence, and it started not in India but in the USA and
UK. In 1881 James Buchanan Duke popularly known as Buck Duke
was put in charge of a factory owned family business in USA that
made Granulated Tobacco called Duke of Durham. At that stage
the competition was fierce but Buck decided he would rather go
into the making of cigarettes, than moving into the competition.
Bonsack Brothers who had made a cigarette machine claimed
that there machine once installed would reduce the cost of
manufacturing cigarettes from 80 cents per thousand to 30 cents,
Buck Duke being open to ideas installed it and in turn was ready
to pay Royalty at a discounted amount. Over the growing period
of time the company made it’s market dominance and became a
front runner in the industry.
His dynamics was such that though trade barriers existed, he
through repeated trials entered the lucrative and ever expanding
British market and capture it. He even went into takeover bidi’s
like the one he had done to purchase Ogden for a phenomenal
amount of 8,00,000 pounds in 1901.
With the advent of the American’s the leaders in the market W.D.
& H.O. Wills took the initiative to put up a substantial defence, for
this the company organized a meeting of all the thirteen major
British firms and suggested that the only way to counter such an
attack was to unite. After a series of discussions on the 10th
December, 1901 they united to form the Imperial Tobacco
Company (of Great Britain and Ireland) Limited hereafter referred
to as GB & I, with Sir William Henry Wills, later known to be Lord
Winterstroke as Chairman.
The battle enraged where on one side the Imperial tobacco
offered bonus to retailers who agreed not to display any goods
from Ogden’s or the American Tobacco Company.
Duke gave a bigger bonus and allotted a princely amount of
2,00,000 pounds a year for four years in addition to Ogden’s
entire profit during the period.
The war carried on and after sometime both the companies
realized that they were incurring losses thus mutual agreement
had to be reached as it was eating into their profits and though
Ogden’s product sale had gone up their co-related costs also had
gone up and the company was incurring heavy loss. The treaty
was signed and was decided that they will not operate in the
cross-nations and will have core competence in their own nation.
The American Tobacco Company in consideration for the transfer
of Ogden (which was a British Company at an exorbitant price) to
Imperial (GB & I) acquired substantial minority interest in this
company which entitled it to nominate three directors to the
board.
The relevance to the story is the fact that a new company British-
American Tobacco Company Limited (BAT) was set up to handle
trade outside the United Kingdom and the United States with two-
thirds of its stock owned by the American Tobacco Company and
the rest by Imperial (GB&I). Once again the obvious choice was
James Buchanan Duke for being the Chairman of the company.
BAT was registered in the United Kingdom which was to prove
providential a few years later when, in 1911, the American
Tobacco Company was finally broken up the Sherman Anti-Trust
Act of 1890.
The US government had come to the conclusion that monopolies
such as the American Tobacco Company and Standard Oil were
against the principle of free trade and the public interest. Duke
was ordered by the US Supreme Court to dismember the monolith
he had created. Apart from disgorging some of the companies
that had been gobbled up earlier, American Tobacco also sold off
its majority shareholding in British-American Tobacco to British
investors.
Buck Duke stayed on as Chairman in order to help develop and
expand operations abroad. Amongst these in India were the
Peninsular Tobacco Company, The Indian Leaf Development
Company and the Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited, all
of which (and several others) were to be amalgamated in the
course of time into one company, the Imperial Tobacco Company
of India Limited, later to alter its name in keeping with changing
times, first to Indian Tobacco Company Limited and then to ITC
Limited.
Strong Financial Base: Today the ITC Group has one of the
highest market capitalization in India nearing US $ 6 billion. With
a strong asset
Wider Distribution: Perhaps no other company in India has a
network as extensive as ITC. A network that consists of over
24,000 people. And one that co-ordinate supplies from dozen
manufacturing locations to over a million retail outlets spread
across 4,700 towns daily.
Global Outlook: ITC understands that in years to come the only
way to stay ahead will be by catering to global market. Thus it
has already begun working towards his objective. In past few
years it emerged as India’s largest exporter. The company has
also set up a 100% subsidiary for global trading with its
operational headquarters located in Singapore: ITC Global
Holdings Pte. Ltd. with offices in Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta,
London, Moscow and New Jersey. ITC’s products are designed to
meet international standards. Keeping this in mind, the company
has formed enduring business associations with a host of other
international companies: BAT, Sheraton, Pacific Seeds,
Continental Grain, Europcar, and Lotus Corp future plans of the
company include making India and ITC a major Cigarette
manufacturing base for global brands.
Consumer Focus: ITC’s products are used by millions of
consumers from every walks of life. Over the years, ITC has
invested millions in consumer research to understand the Indian
consumer and their needs. Not surprisingly then, ITC has been
able to create brand leaders in virtually every business it operates
in.
BUSINESS
4 players - ITC, Godfrey Phillips, VST (also a BAT affiliate) and
GTC. These four companies together control almost 99% of the
market. The cigarette industry faces competition mainly from the
unorganized sector 'bidi' manufacturers, who are protected from
high duties due to small-scale industry status. Affected by steep
duty hikes, the industry has been facing stagnant volume growth
in the last 2-3 years. Cigarette sales dropped by 4% in volume
terms in FY00. The 2000-01 budget also hiked excise on all types
of cigarettes by 5%.
Based on the contribution form various products, ITC’s business
can be divided into three main divisions, namely cigarettes,
tobacco and agri-products. ITC’s mainstay of earnings is
cigarettes (87%) and tobacco (3%). Agri-products business
contributes 5% of the total Rs80bn revenues, while other
businesses of hotels, paper and packaging collectively contribute
the balance 5%.
Cigarettes/ Tobacco:
Cigarettes: ITC sold 66145mn sticks in FY00 as against 67753mn
sticks in FY99. Number of sticks sold by the company has been
decreasing continuously for past 3-4 years but with increasing
focus on premium segment and passing on any hike in excise on
to the consumers has helped in increasing the sales in value
terms. ITC has a broad-based presence in all the segments of the
cigarette market. Scissors is the brand leader in volumes and
Wills Gold Flake family is the single largest consumer product
trademark in India. Of the total produce more than 70% is in the
filter cigarette category while rest is in non-filter category. The
company has also shifted 45% of its cigarette sales in form of
hinged lid packaging. During FY00 the company extended its Gold
Flake brand to other tastes and flavours. Two of its brands
namely, Checkers and Hi-Val sell more than 100mn sticks per
month in USA. Cigarette volumes declined by 2.4% yoy in FY00.
Average per unit realizations however improved during the year
by 9% yoy to Rs1049 per 1000 sticks.
Tobacco: ITC’s India Leaf Tobacco Division (ILTD) procures
tobacco directly from farmers and also through auctions/ traders.
ILTD works with the Tobacco Board to help farmers in
developmental activities. ILTD also supplies tobacco to an
associate company VST and other cigarette companies, besides
exporting. ITC is one of the leading exporters of leaf tobacco.
Exports are mainly to Latin America, South East Asia, Western
Europe and also to CIS markets. The division's performance has
got affected due to oversupply situation in the global market.
Moreover unauthorized production of tobacco has also increased
leading to excess availability. Tobacco board has recently
declared a crop holiday in the state for tobacco. The Andhra
Pradesh plant of the company at Chirala was awarded Golden
Peacock award for environmental management during FY00. The
plant has also been awarded social accountability Standard
certification from Bureau Veritas Quality International. The
company produced 24,026 tons of unmanufactured tobacco
during FY00. It contributed 3% of the total revenue during the
year.
Other Businesses:
Hotels: ITC has been investing very heavily in its hospitality
business. During FY00 the company acquired land from its
subsidiary, ITC hotels and started construction of Super Deluxe
hotel. The construction work is till in progress. The company's
construction work at its Mumbai ITC Grand Maratha project is
expected to be completed by current year. Extension at its Hotel
ITC Maurya Sheraton in Delhi is expected to open shortly. The
company's Maurya Sheraton hotel received ISO14001 certification
during the year. The hotel business contributed Rs1209mn to the
total revenue during the year as compared to that of Rs1437.5mn
in FY99.
Packaging and printing: The company has leadership position
in cigarette and liquor packaging. The company's much-talked
about acquisition of Rollatainers didn't materialize and it was
called off. The division attained Level-6 in the international
Quality rating system from an international accreditation agency.
It also got World Star award for excellence in packaging. The
exports by the division increased by 20% yoy following
technology upgradation at its manufacturing plants.
Specialty paper: ITC operates a 33000 tpa plant at Tribeni, West
Bengal, to manufacture specialty papers, mainly with the
imported wood pulp. Besides captive consumption, ITC also
exports cigarette-packaging paper to BAT subsidiaries in Africa
and Central Asia. Margins in the business have been adversely
affected with stiff price competition from domestic as well as
imported products post reduction in import duty. ITC has been
scouting for an international joint venture partner for upgrading
technology in this business. The division received certification
under ISO9001 quality standards and Gold Star award from Royal
Society for Prevention of Accidents, UK. The speciality paper
division contributed Rs1bn to the total revenues during FY00
compared to Rs880.5mn in FY99. The company produced 16355
tons of specialty paper during the year.
International business division, which is involved in handling
exports from the company, did exports of Rs3.2bn during FY00.
The division exports agri-products to various countries across the
globe. Recently the division has decided to set up e-choupals for
shrimps and coffee. These e-choupals would provide up-to-date
information regarding local and global weather and scientific
practices followed at different places to farmers. The division has
plans of setting up 300 such choupals across the country in
current year. ITC also has a infotech division, which is being
realigned to focus on e-commerce software solutions. The
company plans to hive off its Infotech division into a separate
subsidiary.
New Businesses
The company has decided to venture into a number of new and
unrelated areas. ITC has recently launched its leisure apparels
under Wills Sports brand to leverage on its Wills brand equity. The
company had also ventured into Branded Holidays business,
which is being reviewed as performance has been below
expectations.
Earnings sensitivity factors:
• Excise duty changes on cigarettes
• New product launches : Rothmans’ international brand
portfolio may be launched through ITC, as Rothmans has
withdrawn proposal for 100% subsidiary post global merger
with BAT.
• Leaf tobacco crop depends on weather conditions and has
significant impact on raw material costs.
• Export markets reduces dependence on domestic market.
Exports are also affected by the domestic crop production.
• Paper/ paperboard margins depend on international paper
and wood pulp prices as well as changes in custom duty
rates.
• Excise duty exemption in northeastern states.
• Growing grey market for foreign branded cigarettes
• Success in new business ventures
• Returns from investments in hotel business
MAJOR GROUPS COMPANIES
ITC Hotels LTd.
A premier hotel chain, catering to the international traveler. It
markets and operates 13 leading hotel properties under the
Welcomgroup banner, Welcom Heritage offers palaces and
resorts at 15 locations. Fortune Park, a subsidiary of ITC Hotels,
serves the mid-market segment.
ITC Bhadrachalam Paperboards Ltd.
India’s largest manufacturer of paper and paperboard, it has
modenrised its operations to increase market share.
ITC Filtrona Ltd.
A joint venture with Filtrona International Ltd., UK, which makes
available in India the latest cigarette filter technology including
technically advanced multiple filters.
International Travel House Ltd.
One of the India’s leading travel and tour agencies, offering
services for business and leisure travelers throughout India. Has
set up a golf resort of international standards through its
subsidiary, Landbase.
Surya Tobacco Company (p) Ltd.
ITC’s joint venture project in Nepal is the country’s largest private
sector corporation with brand leaders in every segment.
CORE COMPETENCE OF ITC LTD.
Cigarettes & Tobaccos
Tobacco, grown in India for over four centuries, contribute
significantly to the well being of the country. From marginal
growing Tobacco on unirrigated, small land holdings to the
retailers in remote corners of India, over 26 million people benefit
from their direct or indirect association with the Tobacco Industry.
Tobacco uses jus t0.3% or arable land to yield 1% of agriculture
value and nearly 4% of India’s agri-exports.
ITC Ltd. is a multi-dimensional corporate entity. ITC has achieved
leadership in its core business i.e. Tobacco & Cigarettes,
Cigarettes alone contribute 85% of total revenue contribution.
REVENUE FROM CIGARETTES
Others
15%
Cigarettes
85%
LEADING CIGARETTE BRANDS OF MAJOR PLAYERS
ITC VST GPI GTC
Major Filter brands
Premium India King Kingston Rothmans Chancellor
Classic, State Legend Jaisalmer Harvard,
Express555, Craven
Benson & Burton Chesterfield Dunhill,
Hedges , Marlboro Cartier
Medium Wills Charms Four Square Panama
Mini Filter,
King
Navy Cut King, Gold Red & Baton
Premium, White
Charms
Viginia
Filter
Popular Gold Flake Charminar Red & Panama
Gold Filter White Filter Filter
Bristol, Commando,
Capstain Originals
Major non filter brands
Upper Scissors Charminar Red & Flair, Style
Gold White
Lower Hero Charminar, Cavenders Panama
Charms
Standard
MARKET SHARE OF MAJOR PLAYERS
Volumes Sales Of Major Players
Volume in
mn sticks FY97 FY98 FY99
ITC 68126 68137 67753
VST 13403 13942 12873
GPI 12962 13100 12797
GTC 7538 12924 8367
Market shares of major players by volume
In % FY97 FY98 FY99
ITC 66.1 65.0 65.9
VST 13.0 13.3 12.5
GPI 12.6 12.5 12.5
GTC 7.3 8.2 8.1
Others 1.0 1.0 1.0
Market Shares Of Major Players By Value
In % FY97 FY98 FY99
ITC 74.7 75.2 76.4
VST 8.1 8.1 7.4
GPI 12.2 12.0 11.4
GTC 4.3 4.2 4.3
ITC CIGARETTES
Product – Mix Length and Depth
KSFT RSFT PLAINS LONGS MICROS
75 mm & 70-74 60-69 60-69 0-59 mm
above mm mm mm
India Kings Gold Flake Wills Filter Capstan
PR Std.
20 HL 10 HL 20 HL 10SS
State Express Capstan 10 HL
555 FT
SPL FTK-20 HL 20 HL
LTS FTK-20 HL 10 SS
Wills Classic Wills flake
20 HL 10 SS
10 HL
Wills Classic
Menthol
20 HL
Wills Classic
Ultra Mild
20 HL
10 HL
Benson&Hedge
s
SPL FTK-20 HL
LTS FTK 20 HL
Wills natural
lights
20 HL
10 HL
Gold flake FTK
20 HL
10 HL
LTS-Lights/FTK-Filer Kings/HL-Hinge & Leaf / SS – Slip & Slide.
SWOT ANALYSIS
It is a important for a company to analyse the current marketing
situation and identify the major Strengths, Weakness,
Opportunities and Threats. This helps the company to know its
inner strengths and competitive socio-economic condition
prevailing in the market because business cannot be run in an
isolation condition, if further makes them to review their strategy
and accordingly plan for the objective keeping in mind their
financial position.
Strengths/Weaknesses: It is Internal analysis of the company.
Strengths of ITC Ltd.
• Market leader in Cigarette Industry.
• Excellent Brand awareness and Quality Image
• Strong Sales network to achieve Intensive Marketing.
• Brands for all the market segments i.e. largest range of
Cigarettes.
• Mechanise manufacturing plants in the factories.
• State-of-the-at equipment for Research and Development.
Weaknesses
• More interacting brands in one segment.
• Price fluctuation is quite frequent.
Opportunities / Threats ITC Ltd: External or competitive
analysis. It helps company to understand the operating Socio-
Economic conditions and competitors business operation
strategy.
Opportunities:
• Global base.
• Consumer awareness towards quality cigarettes.
• A big middle-class market in India to trap. Access to
International market is easy due to removal of Tariff
barriers
Threats
• From Gutkha, Pan masala and other chewing tabacco
products.
• Grey market popularity
• Government policies regarding – excise duty and Taxes
• Anti-smoking movement, gaining momentum.
MAIN OBJECTIVES
1. To study the market share of
different ITC Premium Brand Cigarette.
2. To study the importance that
Cigarette smokes attach to various attributes (Taste,
Relaxation, Aroma etc.) while buying.
3. To study the change in brand
loyalty in response to price, quality, availability etc.
4. To study the effectiveness of
advertisements of a brand in terms of its ability to attract
consumes loyal to other brands.
Supplementary Objectives
1. To study the reason for starting
smoking.
2. To study he buying behaviour of
consumer.
3. To know the role of reference
groups while smoking.
Research Methodology
The method used during the research was random sampling.
Smokers while smoking were interviewed by the means of
questionnaires.
Data Collection Method
Primary Data: Primary Data was collected through questionnaire
(Respondents were interviewed by questionnaires).
Secondary Data: Secondary data were collected from sources
like Websites, Magazines etc.
SCOPE
The project entails the study of ITC premium Cigarette market in
Delhi and to understand the consumer behaviour of the smokers.
The sample size was 300 respondents and to visit 4 high end
gathering 6 place and meeting 5 dealers total.
LIMITATION
1. The product was limited for a period
of twenty days.
2. The study was confined to South
Delhi.
3. It is assumed that customers and
dealers have given a precise and correct information.
CHAPTER 2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The Research Design used was exploratory in nature the
experience survey was used, whereby a sample of people
smoking cigarette were interviewed by means of a questionnaire.
The respondents were contacted by means of random sampling
design.
Data Collection Method
Primary Data: Primary data was collected by means of survey
method by administering a secrete questionnaire (schedule) for
consumers smoking cigarette.
Secondary Data: Secondary data was collected from the following
sources:
1. Websites
2. Magazines
Business Today
Business World
(A & M (Old Editions)
DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT
1. The Data Collection instrument used was a two page
questionnaire
2. The questions asked were both open and questions and
close and questions.
Sampling Plan
(a) Sampling Unit
The sampling unit consisted of all cigarette smokers, premium
cigarette smokers in particular.
(b) Sample Size
The sample consist 300 consumers and 5 dealers.
Sampling Procedure
The sampling procedure used was random sampling cluster (area)
samples were selected out of total population of South Delhi.
Fieldwork Plan:
Respondents were contacted on all week days. Consumers could
only be contacted in evening between 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Dealers could only be contacted in the morning between 11:30
am and 2 pm on Thursday and in the evening depending on the
availability of the respondents.
CHAPTER 3
FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS
GRAPH
Chapter – 4
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
CONCLUSION
• Advertisement does not have much impact on the non
smoker to start smoking.
• Friend circle is the main reason behind starting smoking.
• % of cigarette smokers smoke for relaxation % of cigarette
smokes smoke for time pass and % smoke for style, aroma and
taste.
• Most
• Most of the respondents like to stick to their brand and the
respondents who want to change will change for quality and
availability.
Recommendation
• Availability of favourite brand is important for brand loyal
cigarette smokers because of non availability, the may try
another brand. So, physical distribution and deliver on time at
various outlets are very important.
• Advertising strategy must emphasise on relaxation rather
than emphasizing on fun.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
www.itccorporate.com
www.indiainfoline.com
Business World
Business Today
Economic Times