While your shop’s well-designed interior and fantastic customer service are certainly perks, one thing keeps your customers coming back: your inventory.
Stocking your smoke shop with the right products in the right amounts is critical for keeping your customers happy and profits high.
But keeping your shelves perfectly stocked depends on your ability to build lasting relationships with smoke shop distributors.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to choose reliable inventory partners for your store — plus the top four smoke shop distributors.
What To Look for in a Smoke Shop Distributor
Partnering with a smoke shop distributor isn’t a decision you should take lightly. After all, if they fail to deliver your bestselling products, you’ll lose sales and disappoint customers.
That’s why we recommend thoroughly vetting potential smoke shop distributors to ensure they’ll deliver the right products at the right time.
Keep these factors in mind when evaluating distributors for your tobacco store.
- Product quality and selection: Look for a distributor whose offerings align with your customers’ preferences. For example, if your shoppers always want the latest e-liquid flavor, choose a trendy distributor that specializes in new vape products.
- Legal compliance: The smoke shop industry is tightly regulated, with strict standards for how products are formulated and labeled. Make sure your distributor is committed to complying with these regulations.
- Pricing and contract terms: Controlling your inventory costs is essential for high profit margins, so look for a supplier who’s willing to negotiate. If you choose to sign a contract to secure lower prices, make sure to carefully review the terms.
- Reputation and reliability: Ask your smoke shop industry colleagues about their experience with different distributors. You want a partner known for timely deliveries and consistent stock availability.
Keep in mind that a retailer-distributor relationship goes both ways. Once you’ve chosen a partner, prioritize timely payments and clear communication.
4 Smoke Shop Distributors To Check Out
Now that we’ve covered the basics, we can start exploring options for your business. Here are the top four smoke shop distributors.
1. Best for Cigars: Alliance Cigar
If cigars are your specialty, Alliance Cigar might be the right fit for your smoke shop.
This smoke shop distributor stocks a variety of cigar brands, ranging from popular picks like Perdomo to luxury options like Davidoff.
Along with their diverse selection, Alliance Cigar offers monthly specials to keep your inventory costs low.
2. Best for Vape: Worldwide Vape Distribution
Do your customers reach for vape options over traditional tobacco products? Then check out Worldwide Vape Distribution.
This distributor specializes in all things vape, offering disposable vapes as well as reusable e-cigarette kits and e-liquids. They can also stock your shelves with vaping accessories like replacement e-cigarette batteries, chargers, and coils.
Purchasing inventory from Worldwide Vape Distribution is an easy process. All you need to do is create an account, register your smoke shop, and place your first online order. You can even create a wishlist to keep track of trending products.
3. Best for CBD and Delta-8: Hemp Living Wholesale
CBD and delta-8 products have exploded in popularity — and carrying them could put your smoke shop one step ahead of the competition.
Hemp Living Wholesale can help you capitalize on this trend.
This smoke shop distributor offers a wide range of cannabinoid options, including CBD and delta-8 gummies, tinctures, and oils.
Hemp Living Wholesale also publishes their lab testing results to give you and your customers peace of mind.
Note: Along with CBD and delta-8 products, this distributor sells full spectrum options containing THC and caters to head shops. Carefully check the contents and labeling of each product before placing an order from Hemp Living Wholesale to stay compliant with your state’s laws. Your payment processor might also have restrictions on what you’re allowed to sell, so check with them, too. (and your payment processor).
4. Best for Smoke Shop Accessories: RRR Wholesale
Selling accessories is a great way to increase your smoke shop’s average basket size — which is why you need to partner with a smoke shop distributor like RRR Wholesale.
RRR Wholesale stocks water pipes, hand pipes, rolling papers, vaporizers, and lighters. They also offer kratom products, helping you curate a well-rounded smoke shop selection.
Stock Your Smoke Shop With Cigars POS
Reliable distributors are just one ingredient for smoke shop success; you also need the right point of sale (POS) system.
Cigars POS has everything you need to keep your shelves perfectly stocked, your customers happy, and your tobacco license in good standing, including:
- Tobacco inventory tracking with built-in vendor management
- High-risk payment processing to help you sell tightly regulated products like CBD and delta-8
- Age verification to prevent underage tobacco and vape sales
- Sales-boosting promotions like a customer loyalty program and bundle deals
Plus, our team is available 24/7 to help you make the most of Cigars POS’ powerful software.
Ready to see how Cigars POS can transform your smoke shop’s shelves? Schedule your personalized demo today.
