Sharp increase in new vape shops in the UK

More than 230 independent vape shops opened across the UK last year, new figures have revealed.


It represents a sharp increase from the 61 new stores which opened in 2022, and a net fall of 23 in 2021, according to a survey of retail areas by the Local Data Company (LDC).

The rise comes amid government plans for new restrictions on vaping due to concerns about the impact of the devices on children and the environment.

The LDC said 233 independent vape outlets opened in 2023, bringing the total across the UK to 3,573.

The figures relate to specialist stores only and do not include corner shops, Post Office branches, newsagents and other outlets that stock vaping devices and accessories.

It comes amid a boom in vaping products in the UK, with growth in value sales of £897m in 2023, according to market researcher NIQ and trade magazine The Grocer.

But there are concerns about the impact of disposable vapes on the environment, along with worries about their use among young people, despite a ban on sales to under-18s.