There has been a sharp rise in the number of retailers and suppliers reporting increased consumer interest in closed-pod systems, and this is due to several reasons. First, the cost of living; with prices going up, those looking to quit cigarettes are looking for next-gen options that won’t break the bank in the long term. 

Second, with so much scrutiny on disposable vapes, especially amid rumours that they might be banned or have restrictions placed on them, people are looking at other options to be prepared. Therefore, it makes the segment worthwhile for convenience retailers to invest in, and that begins with understanding what the bestsellers are. 

For example, starter kits seem to be an important gateway to closed-pod systems, with the majority of entries on the chart being sold in this format. Analysing the data, Vuse ePod 2 Graphite remains the bestselling device, with 564 units sold in the period, and this comes as no surprise with it being stocked in 266 out of the 3,637 stores surveyed, making it the most widely distributed line in our data. Plus, with it offering margins of 37.04% – the sixth highest in the table – it seems like a good option to have in store if you’re new to the segment and are unsure of where to start. 

Juul2 Starter Kit Virginia Tobacco & Crisp Menthol 18mg also makes it into the top 10 by margin and units sold charts. It also has distribution in 70 stores, being the third highest in terms of value sales for retailers, behind Vuse ePod 2 Graphite Starter Kit and SKE Aurora Blue Crystal Plus Device. 

Data supplied by Retail Data Partnership from a sample of 3,491 stores from August to October 2023

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