A Whitley Bay newsagent has switched his tobacco gantry for e-cigarettes to make the most of the premium space following the introduction of the display ban.

Kieran McDonnell, a member of the NFRN executive committee and former NFRN president, claimed the one-metre e-cig gantry, supplied by Real Trading, had allowed him to compete with specialist vaping shops by allowing more products to be stocked.

These include a range of e-liquids, spare batteries, refillable cartomisers and a range of vaporiser pens.

“E-cigarettes are the fastest-growing fmcg product in retail, and with me stocking multiple brands I needed a solution to display a bigger range of products without having individual display units all over my counter,” McDonnell said. “With an e-cigarettes shop opening across the road, I have a range which will ensure my customers stay loyal to me.”

McDonnell made headlines earlier this month when he installed his own under-the-counter drawers from a kitchen shop to hold tobacco products when the display ban came in.

He claimed he disliked the idea of having “prime selling space covered,” and fitted three drawers at a cost of £47 each to carry his full display of 10s and 20s of cigarettes.

Danny Sohota, MD of Real Trading, added: “Kieran is the first of many retailers we are working with to grow the e-cigarette market and deal with the growth as a category and not just one brand. We will work with him to ensure the range is right for his store.”

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