Is Germany’s market really this competitive? One disposable vape costs just €1

A store in Germany sells e-cigarette products for as low as €10 for 10 pieces, and two staff members from the store discovered some unusual situations after purchasing two products.

Special statement:

This article is for internal industry research and communication only, and does not recommend any brands or products; minors are prohibited from access. 

[Original by Two Above, Yuhan Hou from Dortmund] On September 12, Two Above conducted field research in several tobacco shops in Dortmund, Germany, to gain insight into the current state of the e-cigarette market.

During an investigation at a nicotine product retail store, Two Above found that all displayed products had tax labels, with e-liquid capacities of 2ml. Most products were priced between €6.9 and €8.9, but some products were unusually low, priced at only €2.9, with discounts even dropping to €10 for 10 pieces.

In a store in Dortmund, Two Above found that some e-cigarette products were very cheap, priced at only €2.9, with discounts even dropping to €10 for 10 pieces | Source: Two Above 

According to the store staff, these affordable products are more popular among consumers.

However, the store does not allow consumers to directly touch the e-cigarette products; consumers must learn about the products through the sales staff.

After purchasing two promotional products from different brands, Two Above staff found that both products had the same tax label number. Typically, different brands should have different tax label numbers, so these two products raise suspicions of counterfeiting.

After purchasing two different brand products, Two Above found that they had the same tax label | Source: Two Above   

Product front view | Source: Two Above   

According to the product packaging, these two products are labeled as LIO and KILLA brands. It is reported that LIO is a nicotine-free e-cigarette brand under the Chinese electronic cigarette manufacturer IJOY; KILLA is also a product manufactured by a Chinese company.