Is your vape store on trend, or are you the industry equivalent of bell bottoms and leisure suits?
Picture this: a customer walks into your vape shop, eager to try out the latest vape system they saw on TikTok. They've heard the buzz about a new pod system offering unparalleled flavor and convenience, and they can’t wait to give it a try…
… but they can’t find what they’re looking for on your shelves. Disappointed, they leave your store empty-handed and take their business elsewhere.
These are the consequences of not staying on trend with the best-selling vapes of the day.
This post offers a solution. We’ll talk through the top trending vape styles today and give you resources you can use to stay ahead of the game and keep your store competitive.
Staying on Trend: Tracking the Best-Selling Vapes Over Time
Trends can change in the blink of an eye in any business, but this is doubly true in the vaping industry.
Related Read: How To Open a Vape Shop: 8 Steps to Success
As a vape shop owner, staying updated with the latest trends and best-selling products is crucial to staying relevant and keeping your store profitable. But with so many factors influencing the popularity of vape devices, how can you stay ahead of the curve?
Here are a few of the factors that impact vape popularity:
- Flavor: Consumers are always on the lookout for new and exciting flavors to enhance their vaping experience. Keeping an eye on the latest flavor trends and incorporating them into your product lineup can help you stay relevant.
- Performance: Performance is another critical factor influencing vape device popularity. Vapers are always seeking devices that offer better vapor production, smoother hits, and longer battery life.
- Aesthetics: Sleek, modern designs that are both visually appealing and functional can attract customers and set your store apart from the competition. Paying attention to the latest design trends and stocking those products in your store can help you stay on-trend.
- Brand reputation: Customers often gravitate towards brands with a proven track record of quality, reliability, and customer service. Partner with reputable brands and stay informed about their latest product releases and marketing strategies to leverage their popularity and drive sales in your store.
- User experience: Devices that are easy to use and maintain and offer a better vaping experience are more likely to gain a loyal following. By testing out new products yourself and gathering feedback from your customers, you can be sure you’re only stocking the best in your store.
Keeping an eye on these factors can help you identify emerging trends and hop on them before the bandwagoners catch wind of them. But how can you identify these factors without spending hundreds of hours poring over sales records?
Invest in a top-tier point of sale (POS) system.
A POS system specifically designed for vape shops can help you track sales data, identify best-selling products, and monitor emerging trends in real time. You can then leverage these insights and make better decisions about which products to stock, which flavors to promote, and which brands to partner with.
You can also use this information to optimize your inventory management, ensuring you always have the right products in stock to meet customer demand.
Staying on top of the latest trends in the vaping industry requires a proactive approach and a willingness to adapt to changing customer preferences. With this in mind, let’s explore some of the best-selling vapes currently on the market so you can start your product mix on the right foot.
What Influences Vaping Trends?
Before we cover the best-selling vapes currently on the market, let’s explore some of the driving forces behind vaping trends: social media, smart technology integration, and brand reputation.
Social Media
Social media has become a powerful force in shaping consumer preferences and driving trends in the vaping industry. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have given rise to a new generation of influencers who showcase their favorite vaping products, share tutorials and tips, and engage with their followers.
These influencers can significantly impact the popularity of specific brands, flavors, and devices, as their endorsements and recommendations carry weight with their loyal audiences.
Some other ways social media impacts vaping trends include:
- User-generated content: Customers who share their experiences, photos, and videos featuring vaping products can help create buzz and generate interest in specific brands or devices. Authentic, peer-to-peer content is almost always more persuasive than traditional marketing efforts.
- Online contests and giveaways: Major vaping brands often host social media contests. These promotions require participants to engage with the brand's content, share their own posts, and tag friends.
Related Read: Things To Sell in a Smoke Shop: 4 Essential Products To Stock
Smart Technology
Smart technology integration is another factor that can influence vaping trends. As vaping devices become more advanced, consumers are increasingly seeking products offering customization options and connectivity.
Bluetooth-enabled devices, for example, allow users to control their vaping experience from their smartphones, adjusting settings like wattage, temperature, and even LED colors.
These smart devices often come with companion apps that provide additional features, such as tracking usage habits, monitoring battery life, and even locating misplaced devices. As more consumers embrace these technologies, brands prioritizing innovation and smart feature integration will likely gain a competitive edge.
Brand Reputation
As briefly discussed above, brand reputation is another critical factor that can influence vaping trends. Consumers often gravitate toward brands with a positive, proven track record in an industry where product quality and safety are critical.
Brands that prioritize quality control, use high-grade materials, and provide clear information about their ingredients and manufacturing processes are more likely to build trust and loyalty among their customers.
In addition to product quality, brands that strongly focus on customer service training and community engagement can also influence vaping trends. By actively listening to customer feedback, addressing concerns, and creating a sense of community around their products, these brands can drive trends by giving people what they want.
Top Brands of Best-Selling Vapes
When it comes to stocking your vape shop with the most popular and best-selling vapes, it's essential to know which brands are leading the pack. By staying informed about the top brands and their latest offerings, you can make the right decisions about your inventory and ensure that you're meeting your customers' demands.
Top-Selling Vape Brands:
Some of the top brands in vaping today are:
- Juul: Known for its sleek, user-friendly design and popular flavors, Juul has dominated the vaping market, particularly among younger consumers.
- Vaporesso: This brand is renowned for its high-quality, innovative devices that cater to a wide range of vaping preferences, from beginners to advanced users.
- SMOK: With a reputation for producing powerful devices, SMOK has earned a loyal following among vapers who prioritize performance and customization.
Identifying Emerging Brands:
While these established brands have a strong presence in the market, it's also crucial to watch for emerging brands that are making waves in the industry. Here are some key factors to consider when identifying up-and-coming vape brands:
- Innovative designs: Brands that offer unique, eye-catching designs that stand out from the competition are more likely to generate buzz and attract curious customers.
- Advanced technology: As the vaping industry continues to evolve, brands prioritizing cutting-edge technology, such as smart features and customization options, have a better shot of breaking out.
- Strategic marketing: Pay attention to brands with a strong social media presence. These brands have a better chance of connecting with consumers.
Related Read: Average Vape Shop Profit Margins: How Much Do Vape Shops Make?
Best-Selling Vape Designs:
In addition to monitoring specific brands, it's important to stay informed about the types of vapes and accessories currently trending in the market. Here are a few key categories to keep on your radar:
- Pod mods vs box mods: Pod mods, which are compact and easy to use, have gained popularity in recent years, particularly among newer vapers. However, box mods, which offer more advanced features and customization options, remain a favorite among experienced users.
- 510 thread batteries: These versatile batteries are compatible with a wide range of vaping devices and are a staple in many vape shops.
- Disposable vapes: As consumers increasingly prioritize convenience and simplicity, disposable vapes have emerged as a popular option, particularly for on-the-go vaping.
By staying attuned to the top-selling brands, identifying promising new brands, and monitoring the types of vapes currently in demand, you can curate a product lineup that appeals to a wide range of customers and keeps your vape shop relevant.
Additional Trends in Vaping
Finally, let’s explore some additional and upcoming trends we’ve seen so you can use this information to keep your strategy razor-sharp.
- Nicotine-free vapes: As more consumers prioritize health and wellness, the demand for nicotine-free and specialty e-liquids is on the rise. Offer a range of nicotine-free options to appeal to vapers who enjoy the experience of vaping without the addictive properties of nicotine.
- THC and CBD vapes: As more states legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use, the market for these products is expected to continue expanding. However, it's crucial to be aware of the licensing restrictions and legal requirements for selling CBD or cannabis vapes in your specific location.
- Situation-specific vapes:
Many vape shops have found success by marketing various vapes and e-juices for specific purposes or situations. For example, you might offer a line of e-liquids designed for stress relief or energy boosters.
- Wireless charging: Some of the latest vaping devices on the market now offer the convenience of charging on a wireless pad, eliminating the need for cords. While this technology is still relatively new, it's expected to grow in popularity as more consumers prioritize ease of use and portability in their vapes.
By staying informed about these additional vaping trends and incorporating them into your product offerings and marketing strategies, you can differentiate your vape shop from competitors and provide your customers with the products they want.
Staying Ahead of the Game on the Best-Selling Vapes
Staying on top of the latest trends in the vaping industry is critical if you want to keep your smoke shop relevant and competitive. By stocking the best-selling vapes and keeping your ear to the ground for emerging trends, you can ensure your store remains a go-to destination for vaping enthusiasts.
But if you want to maximize your sales — and your chances for success — you need more than just a keen eye for trends. You need the right tools and processes to track sales patterns, analyze data, and predict your store's future best-selling vapes.
That’s where a powerful point of sale (POS) system comes into play.
Cigars POS was designed specifically for smoke and vape shops. With advanced reporting, robust inventory management, scan data reporting, and high-risk payment processing features, our solution gives you the insights you need to make data-driven decisions and stay one step ahead of the competition.
Schedule a demo of Cigars POS today and see for yourself how we can help you stay ahead of the game and boost your bottom line.
