US Vape Industry Today: Shops Make PPE, Retailers Sell Drinks and Snacks
Amid market pressure, parts of the US vape industry have shifted operations, with some shops producing PPE and others expanding into drinks and snacks.
On May 14, according to Vapingpost, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the US vape industry has been uneven, partly due to varying regulations implemented by different states and partly due to the different responses from various businesses.<\/div>
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In Colorado, the vape industry is struggling as vape shops are considered non-essential businesses in the state. As a result, two shops have already closed, and manufacturer Jvapes E-liquid has had to announce layoffs; however, the chain has opened stores in Arizona and Oklahoma, which remain operational.<\/div>
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To compensate for the losses from store closures, the company is making every effort to boost online sales. Nevertheless, the company's sales have still declined by 30%. Founder Amanda Wheele stated in an interview: "I believe my business will succeed this time, but I doubt that many vape companies will be able to recover from the economic losses of prolonged closures."<\/div>
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In South Carolina, vape shops were initially not classified as essential businesses. However, along with thousands of car dealerships, cleaning companies, and other businesses, several vape companies collectively won approval from the state’s Department of Commerce to remain open.<\/div>
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In Washington state, some vape shops have managed to stay open by reclassifying themselves as convenience stores, which are deemed essential. According to one vape shop owner: "We have been selling Red Bull to customers for their convenience. So we stocked some snacks; we are a convenience store now."<\/div>
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Retailers and manufacturers in other states have begun producing hand sanitizers and other hygiene-related products. Georgia-based VR Labs has started selling 60ml bottles of aloe hand sanitizer and has pledged to donate one bottle for every two sold. Between March 27 and April 5, the company donated a total of 850 bottles.<\/div>
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In the UK, vape shops have been deemed non-essential and have been forced to close nationwide. As a result, many small independent vape businesses are concerned about their survival, while their customers worry about access to smoking cessation aids.<\/div>
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To survive, most specialized online vape shops and hybrid retailers have reorganized their retail operations to offer home delivery services. Retailers have increased warehouse space, expanded their customer service teams, and established online and phone consultation channels for vapers and smokers.<\/div>
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Naturally, the demand for online retailers has surged significantly. One retailer, Vape Club, reported a business growth of 150-200%. "Typically, when we encounter a larger order volume than usual (like during Christmas), we increase staffing to cope. However, due to this situation, that was not possible; instead, we extended shift hours and added shifts on weekends," said Managing Director Dan Marchant.<\/div>
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