If you are a vape shop owner, or looking to open your own vape shop, then you’ll know there are a raft of products you could be stocking. From e-liquids to vape devices. The products you choose can make a big difference to both the success and profitability of your vape business.
Disposable vapes or rechargeable vapes
One of the decisions you may need to make is whether to stock ‘traditional’ rechargeable vape devices or whether to also stock disposable vape devices.
Disposable vape devices are as the name suggests. They come ready to use, prefilled with e-liquid, with a battery and can be used straight away. Once the e-liquid or the battery runs out they cannot be recharged or refilled. So then need to be disposed of.
On the other hand, you have rechargeable vape devices. These come with a battery which can be recharged, and tanks for e-liquids which can be refilled once used up. They are designed for repeated use.
Deciding which type of vape device to stock in your shop
We’d expect different types of customers to favour rechargeable and disposable vape devices given the differences in the products. Here are some things to keep in mind when thinking about the types of customers the two products may attract to your shop.
Disposable vapes
Disposable vapes are favoured by some for their simplicity and convenience – you buy the device and can start using it straight away. Others value their smaller size which offer more discretion. The cost of an individual disposable vape device can also be lower than that of a rechargeable.
However, repeated buys mean the cost of using a disposable vape is higher in the long term. You may also want to give some thought to the environment when deciding on stocking disposable vapes. They are ultimately designed to be thrown away and are not straightforward to recycle. Maybe this is an area you can support your customers with if you do stock disposable vapes?
Rechargeable vapes
Rechargeable vapes on the other hand are, in the longer term, more cost effective as you reuse the device repeatedly. They also offer the user more options. As they can be refilled, the user can pick and choose their own e-liquid flavours. The devices can also be customised by the user. If you sell e-liquids in your vape shop, you’re likely to pick up repeat business from customers who buy rechargeable vapes.
Keep in mind that some may find the higher upfront cost of a rechargeable vape off putting. Especially in the current economic climate. And some may see the need to recharge and refill as an inconvenience.
Ultimately which type of vape device that you stock in your vape shop will be dependent upon your customer preferences. Rechargeable vapes may be better suited to longer term vapers, whereas disposable vapes may be favoured by those new to vaping.
Regulation remains important in light of growing popularity of disposable vapes
Disposable vapes have been growing in popularity, with more noise around the products found online since late 2021. But this growth in popularity has not come without its challenges. Some news articles have focussed on concerns that some disposable vapes on the market in the UK do not meet the required safety and compliance regulations.
The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has issued a guide to compliance for those retailers who do wish to stock and sell disposable vapes. This will certainly be something you’ll want to refer to if you are thinking of adding disposable vapes to your product range.
Remember, that as a vape retailer, whether you sell disposable vapes, rechargeable vapes, or both, it is vital to ensure that any products that you do sell meet the strict regulations which are set in the UK for vaping products.
Don’t overlook your vape shop insurance
Whatever products you choose to stock in your vape shop, you’ll need to ensure that you have the right level of insurance in place. The risks faced by vape shops are very different to those of a standard retail unit. So, you need to ensure that you have the correct cover in place. This guide to vape shop insurance provides a good overview of the areas you need to ensure you consider. Or alternatively you can get in touch with one of our vape insurance experts on 0208 290 9080 or email us at ecig@anthonyjones.com.
