Altria's Discount Strategy: Is Basic Brand a Smart Move for It?
Key Takeaways Altria faces premium pressure as discount retail share hit 32.2% while Marlboro volumes fell 11.7% in 2025.MO's discount shipments jumped 74.5% to over 1.2B sticks, led by Basic, retaining price-sensitive smokers.Altria's mix shift lifted adjusted operating income 0.7% despite a 2.8% drop in products' net revenues.Altria Group, Inc. ((MO) is leaning more on its discount cigarette offerings as rising costs make adult smokers more price-conscious. In the third quarter of 2025, the broader U.S. c ...