Habanos S.A. Withdraws from InterTabac Amid Industry Shifts
Habanos S.A., the esteemed Cuban cigar manufacturer, has joined the ranks of major companies withdrawing from InterTabac, the premier international tobacco trade show held annually in Dortmund, Germany.
This decision, made in conjunction with its German distributor, 5th Avenue Products Trading GmbH, mirrors similar actions taken by other industry giants like Arnold André, Davidoff, Dannemann, and Scandinavian Tobacco Group in recent years. The rationale behind these exits stems from various factors, including dwindling participation from German retailers and the burgeoning presence of e-cigarette and vape enterprises.
Although Habanos S.A. typically refrained from unveiling new products at InterTabac, the event served as a platform to showcase upcoming releases announced earlier in the year at the Festival del Habano in February. Often, InterTabac would host the initial public appearance of a new Edición Limitada release. Habanos S.A.’s booth, referred to as stands in European conventions, was a shared space with 5th Avenue, its German partner. It stood out as one of the most prominent and bustling booths in the event.
Over the past 15 years, InterTabac has experienced significant growth, partly fuelled by increased participation from cigar companies, resulting in exponential growth in the number of exhibitors. However, the most profound transformation has been the emergence of e-cigarettes and vaping, which now command five distinct areas within the Messe Dortmund, the venue hosting the trade show. What was once predominantly a showcase for traditional tobacco products—cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and smokeless tobacco—has evolved into a platform that equally, if not more, caters to vape and next-generation products.
Moreover, InterTabac has ventured into the realm of marijuana, a trend likely to escalate following Germany’s recent legalization of recreational cannabis.
Alongside these shifts, there has been a noticeable decline in attendance by German retailers. Historically, many retailers would frequent the trade fair on its final day, Sunday. However, this tradition has waned over the years, leading to a change in the event’s schedule from the traditional Friday-Sunday format to Thursday-Saturday.
