E-CIGARETTES have been around for some time but sales seem to have taken off in recent months.
Kits and products vary but essentially they’re designed to provide a battery-powered, cigarette-stick-shaped, portable vapour machine. It delivers nicotine-containing vapour that the consumer ingests in a way that’s like smoking … but without the smoke.
The e-cigarettes are getting steadily more media coverage and at least some of the major tobacco companies are thought to be considering entering the market.
What’s in it for the retailer, what makes the e-cigarettes a modern essential?
Well, profit for one thing.
Earlier this year, Adrian Everett, chief executive officer of electronic cigarette firm E-Lites told Scottish Grocer that a retailer could expect to make between 30% and 40% return on the products.
Refills, batteries and other kit components have to be bought again by the consumer and should ensure repeat business, he added.
And it’s a fast-growing category. Everett said sales value was likely to have been around £40m in 2012 and was forecast to reach anything between £120m and £200m in 2013.
