Analyzing the Rise of Online Cigar Shops in the UK & Globe!
Remember that scene from the 1940s classic ‘Casablanca,’ where Humphrey Bogart selects his favourite stogies from a humidor? That scene served as a blueprint for forthcoming generations to come. But many of you may not find this scene as influential as it was back in the day. The reason behind this is quite obvious: the rise of online cigar shops. The days of buying cigars from brick-and-mortar establishments are at the edge of being over, resulting in the rise of a new era of convenience and accessibility for enthusiasts. As the digital age continues to reshape our shopping habits, the world of cigars is not exempt from this transformative wave.
According to official data from Statista, the cigars e-commerce market is projected to show an annual growth rate of 6.86%. The data also indicates the massive surge in the revenue of the overall cigars market, reaching a total value of $93.63 Million this year.
This detailed blog post discusses the evolution of the cigar industry, which led to the rise of online cigar shops. This guide also analyzes the global cigar industry market size and the revenue of online cigar shops in the UK.
The Evolution of the Cigar Industry Beyond the UK
When was it first started?
The emergence of cigar retailing can be traced back to 1531, when Spanish tobacco cultivation began on the island of Hispaniola. After 11 years, tobacco cultivation started to be commercialized in 1542, when the first-ever cigar factory was established in Cuba.
From 16th to 18th Century: A Popularity Crisis
After the successful establishment of the first cigar factory, Spanish Galleon made several efforts to grow high-quality tobacco. But, until the mid-18th century, there was hardly any rise in the popularity of cigars.
During 18th & 19th Century
The popularity of cigars took a huge jump at the end of the 18th century. Cigar smoking was called ‘cool’ and became very common. At the end of the 19th century, a famous poet, Rudyard Kipling, also wrote a poem on smoking titled ‘The Betrothed.’ During this time, the cigar business reached new heights. In the same era, the Principle of Gales & Key West became an influential cigar manufacturing centre.
The Recap of the Cigar Industry in the 20th Century
1920s: Reaching the Peak Era
At the start of the 20th century, Key West, Cuba & New York were the most popular cities for cigar manufacturing. The cigar business was at its peak era here. Around 150 cigar factories were functioning in Ybor City.
1930s: The Rise of Cigar Making Machine
J.C. Newman Cigar Company, one of the most reputable cigar manufacturing companies, started using the highly advanced American Machine and Foundry cigar making machines in the late 1930s. During this time, many family-operated shops also gained a wide range of acceptance.
1940s to 1960s: An Era of Stability
During this time, the cigar was heavily commercialized. Hollywood movies made it a symbol of power, confidence & boldness.
1970s: Emergence of New Cigar Manufacturing Areas
Earlier, Cuba was the center of Cigar manufacturing. But, in less than a year, many companies & independent businesses shifted from Cuba to the Caribbean & South American nations due to the unavailability of suitable soil there.
In a few years, Mexico, Jamaica, and Nicaragua became primary providers of Cigars to the United States.
1980s: Decrease in Traditional Manufacturers & Rise of Catalog Cigars Catalog
The 1980s was a hard time for the cigar industry. Nicaragua, one of the largest manufacturers of cigars, was struggling with civil war. As a result, nations like the US & UK suffered a decrease in the stocks of cigars. While Nicaragua was struggling to keep the title of ‘Top Cigar Manufacturer’, the Dominican Republic came and snatched it away within a few years. In the late 1980s, the Dominican Republic was one of the primary manufacturers of Cigar.
Considering the increasing demand, the JR Cigars catalogue also emerged to fulfil consumers’ needs.
1990s: Handmade Premium Cigars Entered the Scene with BANG!
The 1990s decade was a transitioning period for the Cigar industry. Handmade premium cigars made their debut during this time, and within a few months, they became very popular. On top of that, Cigar magazines started exploding in the market. Many renowned fashion tycoons started working with them. Moreover, the civil war in Nicaragua ended, and it came to snatch its title again.
In 1999 alone, around 250 million cigars were imported by major countries.
2000s: A Slow but Steady Growth in the Cigar Industry
The 2000s decade was quite a slow era for the cigar industry. The new millennial generations weren’t as crazy about Cigar as the previous younger generation used to be. In 2003, La Flor Dominican Double Ligero was introduced, popularising full-bodied flavored cigars on the market.
2010s: The Rise of Online Cigar Shops
The digital era of the 2010s was an exciting time for the cigar industry. In the early 2010s, the UK and the US witnessed the rise of small-batch boutique cigar brands. Therefore, the growth of smaller batches initially led to the rise of online cigar shops in the UK & US. With time, this trend started getting popularized all around the globe.
2020s: The Trend of Online Cigar Shops Reaches at Peak
In the 2020s, the world witnessed the COVID-19 virus outbreak, leading to a complete lockdown worldwide to resist it. During this time, everyone was locked inside their homes, and that was the time when online cigar shops gained household popularity.
Though in 2024, the world has moved on from COVID-19, the convenience of online cigar shops is still residing inside people’s hearts.
Global Cigar Market Overview
The global cigar market peaked as the overall market size stood at $41,570 million in 2022. According to Straits research, the global market size is projected to reach $114,355 million by 2030. The primary reason behind this significant rise is the popularization of online cigar shops.
Analyzing the UK Cigar Market & Revenue of Online Cigar Shops
According to the APS (Annual Population Survey), only 13.3% of the population (over 18 years old) are involved with cigars.
If we talk of online cigar shops, their total revenue stands at $1 Billion in 2024. According to Statista, the annual growth rate of the cigar market in the UK is projected to grow 2.87% from 2024 to 2028. Moreover, each UK citizen is expected to consume 4.5 pieces of cigars in 2024.
In the 2000s, the cigar market in the UK was experiencing numerous problems. However, from 2019, the market is witnessing a resurgence in popularity due to the rise of the popularity of online cigar shops & premium hand-rolled cigars.
Highlights from the ‘United Kingdom Cigars and Cigarillos Market Overview’ Report & ‘Office for Budget Responsibility’ 2023 Forecast
According to Office for Budget Responsibility 2023 Forecast,
The duty rate on Cigars in the UK is £3.68 for a 10g cigar, while for Cigarettes, it is £ 5.89 on a packet of 20 with 16.5% of the retail price.
Traditional cigar consumption is declining, while premium hand-rolled cigars & flavored cigarillos are gaining wide acceptance.
Cigars primarily attract individuals to social gatherings, celebratory events and functions.
Mass-priced cigars are still maintaining their leading position in the market. However, premium-priced cigars are gaining a lot of popularity, and they may become a dominant type on the market.
The House of Cigars: One of the Premier Online Cigar Shops in the UK
With years of experience, The House of Cigars is a leading online cigar shop in the UK. Get high-quality cigars from South American countries like Nicaragua, Mexico, Cuba, Honduras, & Dominican Republic. We provide a wide range of varieties, from machine-made cigars to flavored cigars. The House of Cigars believes,
“Quality is the Cornerstone of Our Ethos.”
Thus, every cigar in our inventory undergoes a rigorous selection process, ensuring that only the finest examples find their way to our customers.
Wrapping Up
The evolution of the cigar industry from its humble beginnings in the 16th century to the present day has been marked by significant shifts. However, it was in the early 2010s when the rise of online cigar shops changed the industry forever. Of course, convenience and quality assurance were the two main reasons behind the rise of online cigar businesses. In the UK, the popularity of online cigar businesses served as a reason behind the resurgence of the cigar market in the country. Today, the total revenue of online cigar shops stands at 1 billion. If we talk about the top online cigar shop in the UK, The House of Cigars takes this crown. With years of skills & expertise, The House of Cigars is a premier provider. The future promises continued innovation and expansion in the thriving world of online cigar shopping. Let’s see what happens next.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q-1: Is it OK to order cigars online?
Ans: Yes, it is generally acceptable to order cigars online, as the convenience and accessibility of online cigar shops have become a prevalent and legal means of purchasing cigars.
Q-2: Is it legal to buy Cuban cigars online?
Ans: While it is legal to buy Cuban cigars online for personal use in many countries, it’s essential to be aware of and comply with any restrictions or regulations related to the importation of Cuban cigars in your specific location.
Q-3: Can you get real Cuban cigars in the UK?
Ans: Many Cigar providers in the UK provide high-quality Cuban cigars (particularly Habanos). The cigar shops located in London’s Mayfair and Stratford also offer quality Cuban cigars. You can also order them from ‘The House of Cigars.’ We bring you a wide range of Cuban cigars, such as Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, and Partagas.
Q-4: Is it illegal to smoke cigars in public in the UK?
Ans: Smoking cigars in public spaces in the UK is banned. However, you can smoke on some terraces, lounges, and outdoors.