In recent years, the visual presentation of e-cigarettes has evolved dramatically. Recognizing this trend, the E-Cigarette Association’s Special Committee recently visited APEX with over 20 years of experience in display solutions, to explore technological innovations and industry best practices.

From Beauty to E-Cigarettes: Transferring Expertise

“Upgrading e-cigarette displays requires insights from the beauty industry,” explains Baihelong General Manager Fu Xiongcheng. Since its establishment in 2005, Baihelong has worked with global luxury brands like Prada, Estée Lauder, and Lancôme, gaining extensive experience in display aesthetics, structural design, and brand alignment.

Inspired by a Singaporean client in 2015, the company began applying its high-end design approach to the e-cigarette sector, becoming one of the first domestic enterprises to enter this market. Fu highlights the shift: “Ten years ago, e-cigarette displays simply presented products. Today, brands are focused on using displays to elevate image and attract consumers.”

By transferring the beauty industry’s design philosophy, Baihelong has created multi-material, smart display solutions tailored to e-cigarettes, combining functionality with visual appeal.

Smart Displays: Blending Technology and Art

During the visit, Baihelong showcased its latest intelligent display racks, integrating LED lighting, high-definition LCD screens, and Bluetooth interactivity.

For instance, when a consumer picks up a flavored e-cigarette, the screen automatically plays the corresponding advertisement. Additionally, the Bluetooth module collects real-time data, enabling brands to optimize product strategy. This “technology + artistry” approach not only enhances the consumer experience but also provides valuable sales insights.

The company’s R&D team, consisting of 20 members, invests heavily in innovation each year. Baihelong has secured dozens of patents across structural design, materials, and manufacturing processes. Their multi-material integration—including acrylic, metal, and wood—allows flexibility in meeting various brand identities and customization needs. Currently, e-cigarette displays account for 25% of Baihelong’s total revenue, mainly serving overseas brands.

Addressing Key Pain Points in E-Cigarette Displays

The e-cigarette industry faces two major display challenges:

• High homogeneity and low brand differentiation.
• Limited in-store space, requiring displays that are both attractive and practical.

Baihelong’s solution is custom design combined with modular layouts. For multi-brand stores, independent brand cabinets with replaceable logo screens enable a “one cabinet, one brand” approach. For smaller stores, compact racks use color coordination and lighting to maximize consumer attention in limited space.

This strategy transforms e-cigarette displays from simple storage solutions into brand-defining visual tools.

Global Expansion and Future Trends

Baihelong is actively expanding its international presence, with products sold in over 100 countries and more than 80% of sales directed overseas. Fu is confident about the future: “E-cigarette retail will increasingly resemble beauty department stores, raising the standards for display professionalism.”

To stay ahead, Baihelong plans to further integrate AI and IoT technologies into smart displays, creating interactive terminals that communicate with consumers and provide actionable data for SKU optimization. This marks a shift from purely functional displays to displays that act as brand ambassadors.

From Functional Racks to Brand Showcases

E-cigarette display solutions are evolving from basic shelves to visually striking brand statements. The integration of technology, multi-material design, and inspiration from the beauty industry ensures that displays capture attention, enhance brand perception, and support data-driven decision-making.

Retailers and brands that invest in professional display design will be better positioned to attract consumers and differentiate themselves in a competitive market. Baihelong’s approach demonstrates how design, technology, and customization can create displays that do more than hold products—they tell a story.

Conclusion

As e-cigarette displays move toward high-end, tech-integrated solutions, brands must prioritize aesthetics, interactivity, and functionality. By learning from industries like beauty and leveraging multi-material, smart displays, businesses can transform their retail presence and enhance consumer engagement.

For brands seeking professional support in creating customized, interactive e-cigarette display solutions, APEX, a leading acrylic display manufacturer, offers tailored designs that combine elegance, durability, and advanced technology to elevate retail experiences worldwide.