A gap in supermarkets' popular line of disposable e-cigarettes comes as disposable e-cigarettes are widely withdrawn by supermarkets, prompting more customers to turn to independent retailers.

Staff at Morrisons, One Stop, Tesco and Asda branches contacted by Better Retailing this month confirmed the supermarket had withdrawn certain batches of Elfbar and SKE Crystal in recent weeks because they exceeded the legal 2ml e-liquid limit.

While inventory of some of these brands has started to pick up, the returns have benefited independent retailers, who reported an increase in sales of disposable e-cigarettes over the same period.

Nishi Patel, of Londis Bexley Park, Dartford, told Better Retailing: "We have seen an increase of £1,000 in disposable e-cigarette sales compared to the previous week.

"It's a combination of the elimination of queues at supermarkets and the tobacco tax hikes announced in the Spring Budget. Customers don't want to pay more for tobacco and are therefore forced to buy more affordable vaping products."

Similarly, Nisa retailer Shahid Ali saw e-cigarette sales rise 14%-17% year-on-year, while Kent store owner Alan Mannings noticed more customers asking about his range of disposable e-cigarettes. Both retailers attributed the price increase to recent supply issues at nearby supermarkets.

Sainsbury's and Tesco staff told Better Retailing that availability will resume as they begin to receive compliant batches of Elfbar. Several Booker retailers have also confirmed to Better Retailing that wholesalers have restocked.

The owners added that they had increased promotions to continue to benefit from increased sales and differentiate themselves from supermarkets as availability resumed.

Patel told Better Retailing: We put disposable e-cigarettes on the shop floor at the other end of the checkout line to help get customers' attention. We also have some promotions like buy three for £12.

Another retailer added that he has created a checkout menu that shows customers what e-cigarettes are available and their prices.

Vince Malone, of Tenby Village Stores & Post Office in Pembrokeshire, has changed the way he stocks to prepare for future recalls.

He said: "Every store in town has taken their disposable e-cigarettes off the shelves and there is a good chance there will be another recall. I'm buying two to three day replacements from companies like Blu to help us deal with this.

Better Retailing has seen a leaked letter from BAT claiming that nearly all disposable e-cigarettes sold in convenience stores are non-compliant. The British Vaping Industry Association also recently called for fines of up to £10,000 for retailers caught selling e-cigarettes to children under 18.

legal compliance

Increased opportunity in the category is matched by increased risk for stores, with trading standards putting more checks on non-compliant inventory.

Better Retailing understands that distributors are trying to improve the reputation of disposable e-cigarettes through routine testing.

Stores are encouraged to complete due diligence by requiring suppliers to provide evidence of compliance with the 2ml e-liquid limit.

Despite compliance measures, many retailers remain skeptical that more brands could be caught up in the can scandal.

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