The Next Frontier: Physical Markets - who's in the lead??

[sanfordf]

Vapure has items in smokeshops here in San Diego county. But for now, there are too few vaporers to really open a dedicated store front. When you see 1 vaporer for every 5 smokers, then maybe. Many of the online guys are running home businesses and are just getting by.

[Kilroy]

It all depends on what you want. Local brick and mortar shops have to cost more. Their overhead is way higher. If you are willing to take the time to plan for your needs, then much lower prices are available. The same choices are available for many other products.

[v1John]

YouTube - Totally Wickeds Mega Tornado Atomizer + Cartridge and Tornado cartomizer

Is this TW's actual store? This is a review from TW, but you can see the product wall displays, and things. If it is, I would like to see something like this in every state. I'm not saying they all have to be TW. I mean they can, but all sorts of suppliers can open up stores like this one (I wish). Maybe just not in New York if the cost of land use is too high, but there are many places where there could be stores like this.

[skinny]

Why yes--yes it is!

[sanfordf]

TW USA also ships everything from this location. It's a lounge/store/warehouse. The store probably costs about $2500/mth. They have an inventory turn over of a few million $ a year, profits of hundreds of thousands $ per year (includes inventory reinvestment, employees, store/overhead). They can afford a storefront/lounge/warehouse. Where as many home based e-cig vendors can't afford it with monthly sales of 2-5 thousand $, profits of $900-$2500 per month (includes some inventory reinvestment). Just rough estimates on my part, but you get the idea.

[oettinger]

Flea MArkets are the way to go. Minimal investment for the booth, and at least here, there are many people just wondering around. EVERY local flea market has at least 2 vendors. It is where I bought my first e-cig, a 510. this guy sells 510's, parts, and about 20 flavors of juice. He has booths in 2 flea markets (at least) and seems to do well. Will even do local deliveries if you call and ask.
The prices are reasonable also.

Gator Vapor Homepage

I would do the same, but do not want to cut into his business.

[v1John]

Why yes--yes it is!

So...I wonder if they're opening another store in the U.S. soon.
That one looks so large and spacious, at least the lobby does. They really don't have to be that large.

[JustMeAgain]

I wish there was a store in my area....Springfield is the third largest city in Missouri - behind KC & St.L - and the best you can find around here (other than SE in the mall) is Smokerettes (one of those 'the charger looks like a pack of cigs' deals) which I've only seen stuck back in the corner on a shelf in a convenience store.

It would be so great to be able to run to the store for a bottle of liquid or a battery, but I don't expect to see that anytime soon.