Setting up a vape shop, got a question for you guys.

[ZeroBass87]

Thank you mate, appreciate it

Was actually speaking to a supplier which I met in the expo from Swansea who also has a shop there! Celtic Vapours, I haven't gotten around to trying their juices yet as I have so so many to work through.

Ah I know Celtic Vapours. Tried a few of their juices when I first started vaping a couple of years ago. Pretty nice tbh! Haven't had any for a while though. Deluxe Vapours in Llanelli could be worth a look too mate! I've tried most of their flavours by now (one of their shops is like 5 mins walk from my house lol) and there's only 1 or 2 I wasn't keen on tbh.

 

[WelshVapes]

Ah I know Celtic Vapours. Tried a few of their juices when I first started vaping a couple of years ago. Pretty nice tbh! Haven't had any for a while though. Deluxe Vapours in Llanelli could be worth a look too mate! I've tried most of their flavours by now (one of their shops is like 5 mins walk from my house lol) and there's only 1 or 2 I wasn't keen on tbh.

Thanks for the recommendation mate, will take that in to account. I got a few free juices from them at the expo, I am using an old coil at the moment and it's on its way out so think I will try their juices tomorrow on a fresh coil as its getting a bit on for me tonight haha

All the best.

 

[Tubbyengineer]

South Wales area mate in the valleys, for people who might be on here from this area, it is not far from Blackwood. If anyone is familiar with this place I am happy to say where exactly is the unit

Ah, down there in the valleys people are a little more amenable to driving a little out of town - your main problem should be developing an initial awareness of your shop. I'd suggest some kind of easily visible signage and as much advertising as is allowed, after that your trade will depend on word of mouth and repeat custom, both of which can be very powerful. If you're working out of a Unit then an online presence is probably going to be a helpful adjunct to your store sales as you can use the space for stock. Don't be tempted to fancy up the interior with posh decoration, a plain shop with lots of displayed gear will work better than fanciness with hardly anything - that said a couple of bar stools at the counter will be good for folks to perch on while testing juices or learning about their new kit.

 

[Sunastar]

Not sure about the parking issue to be honest, but I can't help thinking that your timing is awful. Unless you can get stock before 20 November, all your stock will need to be TPD compliant. You will need to get any of your own juices approved before you can sell them (with all the associated on costs), or you will have to sell juices from established suppliers who have got the necessary approvals. Either way it seems to me that your margins will suffer as a result. Most experienced vapers have already future proofed their gear as much as possible, or are waiting for bargains as established shops try to shift their non-compliant stock before 20 May next year. Either way, I cannot see that there will be much of a market for atomiser hardware until well into next year, and that is without the weak pound either making imported gear more expensive or forcing you to squeeze your margins if you want to stay price competitive. I think the next twelve months will be difficult for established enterprises with loyal customer bases, let alone start up businesses. All that said, I wish you well.

 

[monstermash]

what exactly do they stock then ???? they could set up in a phone box by the sound of it

The store was fair full of 15 and 30 ml premium sauce and loads of regulated mods of various sizes. There's a bit more to vaping than that though me thinks

 

[donut_monster]

I find people are more likely to plan ahead to go to a vape shop so wherever it is shouldn't matter BUT expect to see less 1st time vapers popping in, then again bit of advertising to let people know your there. I think you'll be ok

 

[WelshVapes]

Not sure about the parking issue to be honest, but I can't help thinking that your timing is awful. Unless you can get stock before 20 November, all your stock will need to be TPD compliant. You will need to get any of your own juices approved before you can sell them (with all the associated on costs), or you will have to sell juices from established suppliers who have got the necessary approvals. Either way it seems to me that your margins will suffer as a result. Most experienced vapers have already future proofed their gear as much as possible, or are waiting for bargains as established shops try to shift their non-compliant stock before 20 May next year. Either way, I cannot see that there will be much of a market for atomiser hardware until well into next year, and that is without the weak pound either making imported gear more expensive or forcing you to squeeze your margins if you want to stay price competitive. I think the next twelve months will be difficult for established enterprises with loyal customer bases, let alone start up businesses. All that said, I wish you well.

I will not be looking to sell my own brand juice, I make my own juice for personal use only. I am in contact with a good few suppliers who all have TPD compliant stock ready to go, actually I had 2 e-mails this morning offering new TPD compliant stock from 2 suppliers. I agree with what you said about the weak pound, though. I have been in contact with suppliers overseas and profit margins don't look as good as it would if I looked about setting it up about a year or so ago. Not looking to setup the business for the next few months anyway.. Will keep everyone posted on how it goes, I will be having a meeting with my mate and family member come January to see how his shop has been effected and will take it from there.

No one knows exactly what the effect the TPD will have on local businesses yet, I guess over the course of the time we will see.

Thank you for your input anyway pal, all the best.

 

[WelshVapes]

Ah, down there in the valleys people are a little more amenable to driving a little out of town - your main problem should be developing an initial awareness of your shop. I'd suggest some kind of easily visible signage and as much advertising as is allowed, after that your trade will depend on word of mouth and repeat custom, both of which can be very powerful. If you're working out of a Unit then an online presence is probably going to be a helpful adjunct to your store sales as you can use the space for stock. Don't be tempted to fancy up the interior with posh decoration, a plain shop with lots of displayed gear will work better than fanciness with hardly anything - that said a couple of bar stools at the counter will be good for folks to perch on while testing juices or learning about their new kit.

Yes I agree, as I said the unit is on a pretty busy road, so having some signs up outside and on the fence right by the road wont be a problem. We plan on having a good social media and online presence, also have some very smart people in our family which can get us very high on google searches (one of our other businesses was the very top #1 on google when typed in a keyword) I plan on setting it up very nice, the shop will be full with stock from the day it opens, nothing stingy. I have been to many shops, and from business and personal experience with going in to shops/setting stuff up I know good first impressions are vital.

Thank you very much anyway pal, all the best

 

[Doc58]

Online online online

 

[WelshVapes]

Online online online

Yes I believe if you can master the online, your golden. Online will 100% be an option which I will not resist, I will go in to the spare unit we have tomorrow and see how much space is there as its been a while since I went in there and cannot really remember. See if we can have room for a shop as well as online because you will always get people who want stuff there and then and especially if they are really low on juice or need a coil they will need a top up the same day. You guys have really helped me out, cheers.