Vape shop
A vape shop is a retail outlet specializing in the selling of vaping products, though shops selling derived psychoactive cannabis products have increased in the United States since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. There are also online vape shops. A vape shop offers a range of vaping products. The majority of vape shops do not sell vaping products that are from "Big Tobacco" companies. In 2013, online search engine searches on vape shops surpassed searches on e-cigarettes. Around a third of all sales of vaping products in one US state took place in vape shops. Big Tobacco believes the independent vape market is a threat to their interests.
Effective August 8, 2016, under the Food and Drug Administration rules, a vape shop that mixes or prepares e-liquids, or makes or modifies any kind of vape, is regulated as a tobacco product manufacturer. The US FDA acknowledged that many vape shops will go out of business, but they also state many will stay open, despite hefty costs. Vape shop owner Joe Baba in the US believes a ban on public vaping might put several vape shops out of business because taste-testing would be prohibited. The revised EU Tobacco Products Directive came into effect May 2016 which regulates the sale and marketing of vaping products. Small business owners are concerned that the regulations will make vapes less interesting to consumers and that this means a downturn of their business.
Vape trade shows have an array of product vendors, seminars, social interactions with other vapers, parties, gifts, vaping contests, and other activities. Vape shows are free to attend or have an entrance fee that cost from $10 to $25. In 2014, vaping contests at vape trade shows such as "cloud-chasing" were rare. By 2015, close to 50% of vaping trade show organizations promoted contests such as cloud-chasing. Vape trade shows are increasing in popularity and regularity. Vape shop owners, agents, distributors, and vapers attend trade shows.
Store
Selection
As the prevalence of tobacco consumption has increased to include wider use of e-cigarettes, a different kind of retailer has come forth, known as vape shops. A vape shop is a retail outlet focusing in the selling of electronic cigarette products. There are also online vape shops. E-cigarettes products are mainly available online or in dedicated "vape" storefronts. They are also available at grocery stores, coffee shops, conventional retailers, mass merchandisers, mass retailers, tobacco retailers, convenience stores, gas stations, dollar stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, shopping malls, and at small kiosks in shopping malls. The major sellers for e-cigarette products are vape shops, supermarkets, online vendors, and tobacco shops.A vape shop offers a range of e-cigarette products. They do not customarily sell tobacco products. Vape shops generally have an antagonistic relationship with the tobacco industry. The majority of vape shops do not sell e-cigarette products that are from "Big Tobacco" companies. There are numerous vape shops that are not affiliated with the tobacco industry. Big Tobacco believes the independent e-cigarette market is a threat to their interests. The existence of some "vape and smoke" shops are opposed by most of the vape shop industry, based on anecdotal evidence. Retailers specializing in tobacco such as smoke shops and head shops have started selling an assortment of vaping products along with their regular products. These vendors such as smoke shops and head shops are generally opposed by vaping purists and advocacy groups. Brands owned by tobacco companies offered a limited range of e-cigarette products, whereas brands owned by vape shops emphasized a panoply of flavor and nicotine options.
By 2014 all the major multinational tobacco companies had entered the e-cigarette market. They did so either by buying existing e-cigarette companies or by developing their own products. Although there continue to be independently owned vape shops, from economic and political perspectives the e-cigarette business is now part of the traditional tobacco industry. The smaller operators, who are independent sellers of e-cigarettes, are losing market share to the large tobacco companies.
Vape shops can offer a greater selection of e-cigarettes than conventional retailers. While vape shops offer mostly reusable e-cigarettes, cig-a-likes are mostly available at convenience stores. Vape shops often sell later-generation devices different from the cig-a-likes usually sold by tobacco stores. Vape shops offer a diverse assortment of refillable e-cigarettes and more complex tank devices for experienced users.
Vape shops typically offer a diverse selection of e-liquids, while convenience stores offer some e-liquids. Vape shops can buy e-liquids containing 100 mg/mL and dilute them according to the patron's preference. Vape shops offer several kinds of solution strengths. Many vape shops make nicotine e-liquids with a high concentration of nicotine. Some retail stores are also manufacturers that create custom flavors, which increases the variety of flavors available. Flavors such as chocolate, caramel, mint, menthol, coffee, cherry, and apple can be added to the liquid nicotine. Oils and wax for use in reusable vaporizers have been available. The variety of flavored e-liquids available plays a central role in wooing e-cigarette users. Herbs for vaping are also sold. Local vape shops in Wilson County, North Carolina sold e-cigarettes known as Black Magic. After several complaints from concerned parents received by the sheriff's office an investigation uncovered high-school students were buying Black Magic. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation tests indicated they contained cannabidiol, or CBD oil, and also synthetic cannabinoids, which are against the law in the state. The Black Magic that were sold at these shops stated on the packaging, "legal in all 50 states." Officials stated they seized numerous Black Magic packages. Inexpensive lithium-ion batteries may be sold at local vape shops. Vape shops may carry vaping magazines and may offer accessories such as clothing, bags, wooden cases for the e-liquid, and vape carrying cases. A handful of vape shops sell antique signs and trinkets to decorate one's home or crafts from regional artists. Many small vape shops are selling e-cigarette products made from China.
Design and layout
They greatly vary in design and product selection. There are shops that look a bit similar to bars. There are shops that have a lounge where people can drink a beverage as they vape. Vape shops sometimes include a café or other elements that promote socializing, essentially making such places like a lounge. A vape shop in Anderson, CA also sells vaping products via drive-through. A vape shop in Elkton, Maryland also sells beer and food. A vape shop in Ottawa, Illinois provides a socializing area with a sofa and television. There are shops that have a vape bar where patrons can test out different e-liquids and socialize. Vape shops having lounge areas, food and beverage amenities, and entertainment may furnish a social setting for vaping that may entice newbie e-cigarette users and non-smokers alike. Hardly any vape shops have a photo booth. A small number of vape shops offer patrons the opportunity to vape via a hookah. A few vape shops double as art galleries. Vape shop tenants are usually interested in a location between 1,200 and 1,500 square feet.Marketing and events
Many e-cigarette companies have proposed to retailers the idea to convert part of their current location into a mini vape shop. The markup for traditional cigarettes is 10–20%, but e-cigarette dispensers, nicotine cartridges, and accessories are as high 200–400% markup. US vape shops generate around $26,000 in monthly sales. In San Francisco, e-liquids, not the devices, were the main source of income for vape shops. US vape shop owners intend to capitalize on medical marijuana-related sales. In the UK in 2018, there is increased competition among vape shops because more shops have opened."Vape shops intend to make potential customers aware of their existence and curious about visiting a shop and engaging in vaping. They also intend to make the shop accessible to encourage sales of e-cigarette-related products. Barker and colleagues interviewed vape shop owners/managers in 37 vape shops and observed availability, price, promotion and placement of vaping products and e-liquids across nine USA cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Henderson, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, San Jose, Seattle, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura. A majority of vape shops primarily use social media outlets and special events open to the community for marketing. Few stores reported using print or broadcast media, with radio being the most popular venue. About half of stores had external advertisements, and almost one-third had no signage related to sales to minors," according to a 2017 report.
Vape shops have used the game Pokémon Go to market their products. "From July to October 2016, several vape shops and online retailers have incorporated Pokémon Go as part of promotions on Twitter, linking game performance with discounts on their products," a 2017 report stated. Vape shops have also set up local events to join Pokémon Go activities with vaping promotional contests.
In 2015, "Cloud-chasing", the activity of blowing the largest clouds of vapor, were becoming a routine event at local vape shops. Many vape shops organize cloud-chasing events. Cloud-chasing contests appear to be intended to bring in new shoppers and increase e-cigarette business. Vape shops have held music concerts at night.
Marketing of e-cigarettes by tobacco shops was limited, with most responding that they do not market e-cigarettes, according to a 2018 report. Almost half have used social media, with others relying on word of mouth and price promotions. Vape shops utilized more diverse marketing channels, including radio, print media, and word of mouth. In-store marketing has been increasing, as of 2016. The most common form of marketing by vape shops is social media, which all vape shops cited using for marketing, the 2018 report concluded.