
This report examines the UK’s complicated and fragmented distribution channels for e-cigarette products. Vape stores purchase stock from a range of suppliers and our report looks at their main considerations

ECigIntelligence looks at the pricing and products range in e-liquids and hardware categories across the top five e-cigarette retailer websites in the UK and finds a shift towards advanced hardware products

In our latest look at the UK market we see that the distribution share of mainstream retail has remained stable. The channel is dominated by tobacco companies and it is difficult for small companies to access the channel

In our latest look at the UK market, we find that there are now about 2,000 vape shops. The northwest of England has the highest number of stores and 70% of all stores belong to a chain

ECigIntelligence looked at the price policy and product range for e-liquids and hardware on the UK’s top five visited websites selling e-cigarettes. Multipacks of 10 ml bottles and short-fill e-liquids are a new characteristic of the British e-liquid market and shake and vape is approximately 36% cheaper than ready-to-use e-liquid overall.

In the latest ECigIntelligence report into the UK market, we see that the growth in shop numbers over the past year has been highest in London (97%) and Scotland (105%). The top retailers offer a bigger range of e-cigarette than in other European countries and most of the top-selling e-cig brands sold in supermarkets or convenience stores are owned by tobacco giants.

The use of e-cigarettes is increasing in the UK and numbers of vapers have risen by 4% over the past year to reach 2.6m in 2016. There has been a major shift over the past two years from pre-filled cartridges to tank system devices,

In this report, ECigIntelligence looks at how leading retailers dominate the UK’s online market for e-cigarette products. While the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) is creating uncertainty in the market, we find that consumers don’t seem very loyal to particular Websites or brands.

In May 2016, ECigIntelligence carried out a short survey of vape stores in the UK in order to investigate average turnover and product mix through this important channel, and to understand some of the non-quantitative factors behind the growth of the sector.

From May 2016, e-cig sales channels will be reduced in some European countries when the Tobacco Products Directive comes into force. This report looks at the details, including restrictions on distance sales, the imposition of age verification checks, licensing and registration of retailers, and limitations on retail outlets.