Well, what a year it’s been; 12-plus months in various levels of lockdown here in the UK, and in many countries around the world, as we’ve battled through the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Vape Industry in the UK, and beyond, has been constantly challenged to change and adapt, fought hard to stay afloat and hopefully we can now look to a brighter future.
What has impressed us all here at Dinner Lady has been that fighting spirit, the resilience and the flexible approach vape retailers have shown. Don’t forget that drive and determination as we move towards the new normal.
Doors were closed by the UK Government – who stood firm in their belief that vape stores were not an essential retailer. Tell that to the 2million UK vapers who are former smokers.
There were concerns that vapers may turn back to cigarettes during the pandemic, when vaping stores had to shut up shop. Luckily, vape business owners found their way through, whether by increasing their social media presence, launching websites, or setting up click and collect systems through their shops.
Whichever option, our sales teams here at Dinner Lady have been working throughout to support our vape shop retail partners and vape wholesale suppliers, to ensure businesses could run as smoothly as possible.
GETTING READY
As non-essential retail reopens in England and Wales from April 12 and in Scotland from April 26 (Northern Ireland TBC, click and collect from April 12), vape store owners need to make sure they’re following all COVID-secure guidance for their specific nation.
Take some time to read up and revise the latest guidance, get your measures in place, and understand all the rules or guidance regarding spacing, ventilation, numbers of people in store, and the wearing of facemasks by both staff and customers.
USE SOCIAL MEDIA
Keep your loyal customer base up to date with how you plan to run things after reopening – let them know if click and collect or delivery services will continue when you reopen for face-to-face sales, give them a chance to ask questions, maybe even create a simple video walking through how a visit to the store will now run.
Consider running some re-opening offers or competitions on social media, to get those customers engaged again and excited about coming back to the shop and seeing what’s new to buy. And don’t forget to ask them to review your service and COVID-secure measures to help reassure others who may not yet be ready to visit.
RETAIL SOLUTIONS FOR CONVENIENCE
Even where consumers are ready to re-enter the high street, bricks-and-mortar environment, shopping habits have changed. Consumers may be less likely to browse, less willing to pick up and touch products, and will be keen to get their products and go.
To support these changing habits, we would recommend displaying products in our new eye-catching counter-top units (CTU), which have been specially-designed to be highly effective in driving the rate of sale. Currently available in limited edition promotional bundle packages for the Dinner Lady Vape Pen and Salts/50:50 ranges.
These CTUs offer excellent value for money for retailers, with deals on Dinner Lady’s best-selling vapes to be passed on to customers. CTUs are probably the most power-packed option for their size and the potential return on investment, for both vape wholesale outlets and independent vape retailers.
Any size of store can fit in a CTU, or two, and be confident of attracting additional sales and repeat purchases.
BEST NEW VAPES
With stores shut for the past four months, vapers will be excited to hear about best new vape juice and new products you’re offering in store and this will encourage them to visit. Make sure you have all the latest innovations from the best vape brands available.
Dinner Lady fans will be keen to get their hands on the new Vape Pen disposable, which has already been a big hit with online vape stores and vape wholesale distributors. Now is the opportunity to tell customers about its advantages face to face. Quite simply, we believe it is the best wholesale disposable e-cig on the market.
- 400 puffs = 200 cigarettes
- 5ml of 20mg salt nic e-liquid
- £4.99 RRP, less than half the price of a packet of cigarettes
- Simple and affordable beginners vape kit
- Pre-filled with Dinner Lady’s award-winning vape juices
- Best-selling vape flavours – Lemon Tart, Bubblegum Ice, Lemon Sherbet Ice and Strawberry Macaroon
- NEW to the UK, Vape Pen exclusives – Banana Ice, Citrus Ice, Fruit Mix, Mango Ice and Strawberry Ice
- Ready to vape – no mess, no fuss and no refills
- Your last puff is as good as the first
KEEP IN TOUCH
Whatever questions or concerns you may have about reopening and the next few months of trade, please always remember that your Dinner Lady Account Manager or Business Development Manager is here to support your business. So whether you want an update on our latest best-selling e-liquids, the wholesale e-cig options, want to try some new retail solutions or promotional activities, we’re here to help. It’s easy, simply complete the form below and a member of the sales team will get back to you as soon as possible.
