Vaping’ has replaced ‘quitting’ on shoppers’ list of new year’s resolutions for 2019, according to a new survey.
Switching from smoking to vaping has made it into a list of the nation’s ‘modern’ New Year’s resolutions for 2019 for the first time. Around 9% of respondents in a new survey cited moving off the cigarettes and onto vaping as one of their resolutions for this year, alongside spending less time on social media (24%) and hitting 10,000 steps on a fitness tracker every day (11%).
Carried out on behalf of blu, the survey illustrated how tech solutions are increasingly helping to change shoppers’ lives with 89% of those surveyed said they believed new tech – including fitness trackers and vape pens – could help improve their quality of life.
According to Public Health England, 40% of UK smokers having never tried vaping which reinforces the opportunity available to retailers to make the most of this category at this important time of year and help customers make the switch to something better.
A spokesperson for blu said that, unlike online and vape stores, traditional retailers usually offer both tobacco and vaping products for sale. This, combined with their unique relationship with their shoppers means that independent retailers have a strong competitive position in helping their adult smokers switch to something better in 2019.
The company offered the following tips to retailers to capitalise on the category:
Devices – Stock at least one open and one closed system.
Flavour – Make sure your range is supported with a strong portfolio of e-liquids, especially popular fruity flavours, in a variety of nicotine strengths.
Knowledge – Take time to read up on the category to understand the different product types, how they work and the terminology involved. This way, you can best advise your customers on what vaping products are right for them. Don’t forget about your staff either, especially if one of them is a vaper. Consider empowering an in-store ‘vaping champion’; they could prove to be an valuable asset in helping to build up both customer trust and loyalty.
Clearomisers – Ideally, they should be changed after every two bottles of e-liquids, or every time a flavour or brand is switched, to provide the optimum vaping experience. They can also be a great way to upsell and drive additional sales and margin.
Availability – If a product isn’t available, your customers may go elsewhere and not return, so ensure you’re always fully stocked. Regularly check stock levels to make sure you don’t run out and be prepared for seasonal vape spikes around Stoptober, New Year and VApril.
Visibility – Remember, it’s not against the law for you to display, advertise and promote vaping products in-store. Countertop units, impactful backwall displays and point of sale materials located in and around the store can be a great way to drive visibility.
