The 8 Qualities That Successful Vape Shops Have In Common

Are there characteristics that successful vape shops have in common? Are there qualities that can determine the success of a vape shop? We think so. And in today’s blog, we explore these factors that make it more likely for a vape shop to not only turn a profit but thrive. 

Table of Contents:

1. Which Qualities Make A Vape Shop Successful?
2. 1. Niche Markets Are Key for Vape Shops
3. 2. Successful Vape Shops Have Great Locations
4. 3. Thriving Vape Shops Carry the Right Inventory
5. 4. Customer Service Sets Winning Vape Shops Apart
6. 5. Well-Trained Staff Drive Vape Shop Success
7. 6. Successful Vape Shops Have The Right Atmosphere
8. 7. Vape Shops Excel by Managing Inventory Levels
9. 8. Building Strong Distributor Relationships
10. Conclusion

Which Qualities Make A Vape Shop Successful

There are many qualities that successful vape shops have in common. And while to be completely frank, what may work for some may not work for others, there are certainly some qualities that can be found across the board. Some of the factors for success include having the right atmosphere, training staff properly, having the right inventory, and creating relationships with distributors. Below we’ll detail each one and even give you some ideas of products you can buy and that we offer. Let’s start with the first quality, having a niche. 

1. Niche Markets Are Key for Vape Shops

Believe it or not, just like specialized doctors get paid more than general practitioners, vape shops that focus on a single niche can become more successful. Focusing for example only on new vapers and supplying them with entry level pod systems and lots of variety of vape juices, could be a great strategy. You could also do the opposite and only cater to hardcore hobbyists, by supplying them with the latest box mods, RDAs, RTAs, RDTAs, and batteries, and even creating workshops where you teach people how to make their own coils could also be the recipe for success. Or your niche could be a vape device repair shop, that sells vape juices and vape devices on the side. The key is to find what an unmet need in your market and supply it to the vapers in your location. This brings us to the next point. 

2. Successful Vape Shops Have Great Locations

Successful vape shops have great locations. That’s just a fact. The last thing you want is to operate in a market full of competition. If you find yourself among a long list of competitors, business will be difficult.  Studying the location of where you plan on opening your vape shop is extremely important. Look for metropolitan areas that are without competitors. You also want to place your shop where it’s easily noticeable and the shop sign can be seen from the street and busy intersections. 

3. Thriving Vape Shops Carry the Right Inventory

Selecting the right inventory is an art, and unfortunately it takes time to figure out exactly the winner products that keep customers coming back for more. However, there is one strategy you can employ that we have written about before. Although there are many keys to buying the right inventory, a super important one is to choose reputable products that have proven their market worth and longevity. The same goes for devices. There are certain models that just work better than others, and although they might be a few years older they are more reliable, and at the end of the day, you want more satisfied customers than ones whose devices keep breaking and will ultimately stop doing business with you.

To find the products that have stood the test of time we suggest you ask in online forums, there most of the time you can find a consensus on the best vape juices and vape devices to stock up on that you know are always in demand. Alternatively below we gather some products that are always on our bestsellers list. 

4. Customer Service Sets Winning Vape Shops Apart

Another quality that successful vape shops have in common is that they provide exceptional customer service. They make every customer feel important and they create lasting relationships that turn into recurring purchases. From the moment a customer enters the door they are treated with respect, are approached and asked if they can be helped with anything, and receive individual service. Remember that the idea is to create a relationship that makes the customer want to come back for vape juices after buying one device, you’re not doing a one-time deal, your goal is to create a relationship that lasts several months or even years. 

5. Well-Trained Staff Drive Vape Shop Success

Now that we have established that customer service is imperative, we want to emphasize that this can’t be accomplished without a properly trained staff. That’s why training is crucial to your success. Vape shop training consists of teaching your employees customer service skills, knowledge of the devices, vape juices, and accessories sold in the shop, and how to add bonus purchases. Finally, although training can help immensely, you should hire people who vape and have had a previous customer service experience. This will make your training much smoother since your employees will already know a bit about vaping and the knowledge of how to make a customer feel valued. 

6. Successful Vape Shops Have The Right Atmosphere

This might seem obvious but it’s incredibly important. Successful vape shops have a welcoming atmosphere. Yours should be well lit, have windows large enough to let in natural light, a lounge area, and should make people feel at ease. The last thing you want is a dark store that doesn’t appeal to people. By creating a warm atmosphere, you not only elevate the reputation of vaping to a sophisticated hobby, but you also enhance the reputation and expectation of your store. 

7. Vape Shops Excel by Managing Inventory Levels

Successful vape shops never overstock their stores; they predict exactly how much inventory they need to buy to turn a profit every month. Unfortunately, this will only be accomplished with time and experience. But as we stated before, products with proven track records outsell flashy, temporary market trends.  

8. Building Strong Distributor Relationships

Successful vape shops have great relationships with their distributors and wholesale suppliers. We suggest doing business with only a handful of distributors, ones you’ve researched and are confident in.  The more profit you generate for them the more lenient they are in their prices. By developing these relationships with distributors, you may receive exclusive perks,  like returning inventory that didn’t sell or getting complementary product lines.  Distributors can also tell you which products move the most and offer an insight into the most popular vape juice brands. It’s a win-win situation for you and the distributor, a relationship that if cultivated carefully, is advantageous to your and their bottom line.

Conclusion 

Although it’s different for every vape shop, we think these are some of the best qualities that successful vape shops have in common. From great customer service to awesome relationships with distributors, these qualities have helped other vape shops succeed and we believe that they can help you out as well.