In an ever-evolving market, smoke shops face the challenge of staying competitive while catering to the diverse needs of their customers. To stay ahead in the game, it’s crucial for business owners to stock a well-curated smoke shop inventory that meets the demands of anyone who may walk through their doors. In this article, we’re breaking down the essential products that every head shop should carry, and why.

Smoke Shop Inventory List

If you’re looking to make a shopping list for your headshop, we’re breaking down all of the most important components of your inventory below.

Bongs

Bongs, also known as water pipes, are an absolute necessity. They filter and cool smoke through water, offering a smoother and more enjoyable smoking experience. They come in various designs, materials and sizes, making them suitable for customers with different preferences and budgets. From basic acrylic bongs for budget-conscious customers to high-quality borosilicate glass bongs in large sizes with tons of percolators for connoisseurs, carrying a diverse selection ensures that every customer finds a suitable bong for their smoke style.

Dab Rigs

Dabbing has gained immense popularity in recent years, making dab rigs a must-have in any competitive smoke shop. Dab rigs are specialized devices used for vaporizing concentrates like wax and oil. They’re usually a lot smaller and less intricate than bongs. That said, they normally have less than two percolators and max out at one water chamber to protect the flavors of the concentrates. Some of them utilize recycler tech and have very intricate designs, and tend to cost more. Offering a variety of dab rigs in different sizes, shapes and colors at different price points accommodates heady customers as well as those on strict budgets.

Quartz Bangers

Quartz bangers are heating elements used in dab rigs, offering superior heat retention and cleaner taste compared to metal or ceramic nails. While it’s a good idea to offer all the different materials to suit customers with different preferences, quartz is quickly becoming the go-to choice amongst discerning customers. Given their widespread use in the dabbing community, carrying a selection of quartz bangers in different styles ensures your customers have access to high-quality accessories they can count on.

Carb Caps

Carb caps are essential accessories for dab rigs, helping to regulate airflow and improve the vaporization process. They are available in various materials such as glass, titanium and quartz. Stocking carb caps allows your customers to personalize their setup with something intricately designed, or optimize their dab by choosing caps suited specifically for different nail styles. For example, if you sold bangers with pre-drilled carb holes, you’d want to carry marble caps since that nail style is incompatible with directional airflow caps.

Dabbers

Dabbers are tools used to handle and apply concentrates to the heated nail of a dab rig. Like other dabbing accessories, they come in a variety of materials and designs. Offering dabbers with different tips and handles adds versatility to your inventory and allows your customers to choose dab tools or dab tool sets for their ideal concentrate preference.

E-nails

E-nails are electronic devices used to control the temperature of the dabbing surface, eliminating the need for torches. They offer convenience and consistency in dabbing sessions, making them a valuable addition to any smoke shop’s inventory. Offering a few models at various price points that work with various nail styles is a great way to upsell both e-nails and specialized nails, like terp slurpers.

E-rigs

E-rigs like the Puffco Peak are designed to make dabbing more accessible. They take out all of the moving parts of dabbing, like the timer and the torch, and offer a simple interface ideal for customers looking to enjoy concentrates without the hassle. Offering a few different models of e-rig at various price points makes it possible for customers who may have joint or mobility issues to use cannabis, and for customers to dab discreetly on the go.

Grinders

Grinders are essential tools for preparing weed for smoking or vaporizing. They come in various sizes and materials, from basic plastic or acrylic grinders, to rustic wooden versions to premium metal ones. Providing a selection of grinders at various sizes and price points caters to both cost-conscious customers and those looking for versatility, discretion, durability and performance.

Rolling Papers

Rolling papers remain a staple for smokers who prefer a classic rolled cannabis experience. It helps to offer a variety of rolling papers at your smoke shop, including pre-rolled cones, wraps, and flavored options to suit all price points and flavor preferences. Rolling accessories like filter tips, rolling machines, stash boxes and storage jars, and rolling trays are also a huge bonus if you want to make sure each customer has everything they need in one place.

Hand Pipes

Hand pipes, also known as spoon pipes, chillums or one-hitters, are compact smoking devices that fit easily into a pocket or bag. Beloved by smokers looking for a simplified and affordable smoking apparatus, they’re perfect for on-the-go use. Since they come in so many different shapes, colors and sizes, they offer your customers a lot of variety.

Vaporizers

Vaporizers and portable vapes have surged in popularity as an alternative to traditional smoking as many health-conscious smokers perceive vaping to be safer than smoking. Carrying a range of portable and tabletop vaporizers, from dry herb vaporizers to concentrate pens meets the demands of customers seeking a healthier and more discreet smoking experience.

Where Do Smoke Shops Get Their Supplies?

Smoke shops typically acquire their inventory from various sources, including wholesalers and distributors like NHM Distributing. However, smoke shop supplies can also be procured directly from product manufacturers, and by attending trade shows. Well-established smoke shops can have direct partnerships with manufacturers, enabling them to access exclusive products and better pricing. Wholesalers and distributors often offer bulk purchasing options, allowing smoke shop owners to acquire a diverse range of products at competitive rates.

At the end of the day, having a well-rounded head shop inventory list that caters to diverse customer preferences and budgets is crucial for smoke shops to remain competitive in the market. By offering essentials like bongs, dab rigs, vaporizers, rolling papers, and other accessories, you can create a satisfying shopping experience for your customers, fostering loyalty and continued patronage.