FEATURES
BACK IN BUSINESS
The industry celebrates the long overdue return of vape shops
Words : Gordon Stribling
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it and now , more than a year later , we are just beginning to get back on our feet . The UK vape industry has been particularly hit with shops being classed as ‘ non-essential ’ and ordered to shut their doors . The closures angered the industry because of the crucial services they provide in helping smokers quit and remain off harmful cigarettes . Vape businesses across the country have had to adapt to survive , taking to the online marketplace or adopting click-and-collect services to stay afloat during the public health crisis . We spoke to brands across the UK , the EU and US to find out how they weathered the past 12 months and to hear their hopes for the industry moving forward . lowering or offsetting rates ,” he said . “ As a matter of fact , he insisted on increasing the rent , which meant that we were fast in hot water .” The family got their heads together to work out how they could keep the operation going . They decided to get rid of the shop and move into a business unit with a warehouse where they set up an ISO 7 clean room to house automatic bottle filling , capping and labelling facilities . “ We did have a small lab at the back of the shop but realised that it ’ s time to diversify and truly go online only ,” Steve said . Komodo Vape has spent the months since developing its new LOUT brand , now available from the distributor Vape Supplier . Steve said : “ I would like to thank our customers for all the support and we look forward to working with them all to develop new exciting flavours and brands to market .”
A year ago , family-run Komodo Vape had a bricks-and-mortar store on a busy Cardiff high street . When the shutdown hit , founder Steve Hoskins had to re-evaluate the operation as the shop ’ s landlord refused to help , despite the financial hit they would inevitably take . “ We suffered hugely , with our landlord not allowing us any leeway by
Flexibility has been essential to survival over the past year , with businesses of all sizes looking for new ways to support their customers unable to visit vape shops in person . Firehouse Vape opened a new shop three weeks before the December 28 lockdown , so adopted Click and Collect and local
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