Retailing & Merchandising

As winter settles in, cannabis consumers are gravitating toward comfort, intention, and small rituals that support rest and well-being. For retailers, this shift creates an opportunity to reframe cannabis as part of everyday self-care through thoughtful merchandising, wellness-forward education, and cozy seasonal storytelling. From topicals and low-dose edibles to premium flower, winter has become one of cannabis retail’s most meaningful moments to build trust and long-term loyalty.

First-time cannabis customers often enter dispensaries feeling overwhelmed, intimidated, and unsure they belong. As the industry matures, experience — not price or product innovation — will define which retailers earn trust and loyalty. From education and store design to leadership and staff training, this column explores why fixing the customer journey is no longer optional for sustainable growth.

Effective cannabis branding starts at retail. From experiential events to field marketing, dispensaries have become the true gatekeepers of customer education, product discovery, and long-term brand loyalty. A multistate brand owner reveals the secrets to building profitable retail partnerships.

With price compression squeezing margins, more dispensaries are shifting away from discount-driven strategies and toward curated menus that create real differentiation. By focusing on relevance, selection, and customer value, retailers are carving out a competitive edge in saturated markets.

From gourmet sauces to mochi gummies, today’s hemp-derived edibles go far beyond standard gummies and chocolates. This curated roundup highlights innovative, gift-worthy products that appeal to foodies, wellness shoppers, and holiday hosts looking for something fresh, functional, and fun.

A new national survey reveals cannabis consumers value digital convenience, personalized recommendations, and knowledgeable budtenders — especially heading into Green Wednesday, one of the year’s biggest sales days. The findings highlight demand for features like online ordering, one-click rebuys, loyalty incentives, and promotional deals. Retailers that blend smart technology with strong customer service appear best positioned to drive repeat visits and larger baskets.

Cannabis beverages are stepping into the spotlight while alcohol consumption rapidly falls as Americans rethink their drinking habits. A new report forecasts U.S. cannabis drink sales will reach $2.8 billion by 2028, growing nearly seven times faster than alcohol. From infused seltzers to low-dose tonics promising relaxation or recovery, innovation is bubbling across the category as health-conscious and budget-minded consumers seek alternatives to traditional beer, wine, and spirits.

Halloween goes high-end this year, with cannabis and hemp brands summoning limited-edition products, haunting events, and collectible strains that captivate consumers and inspire retailers. Whether you’re curating shelves or just chasing chills, these eerie delights offer both thrills and ROI for operators who know how to merchandise the moment.

Shrinkage is one of the most persistent threats to cannabis retail profitability — and most losses don’t come from smash-and-grabs, but from preventable internal breakdowns in procedure. The most reliable defense isn’t heavier locks or more cameras; it’s well-designed SOPs that hard-wire accountability into each step of operations. From cash handling to inventory transfers and close-of-day reconciliation, disciplined procedures create visibility, reduce human error, and deter misconduct. When paired with the right technology, SOPs move loss prevention from reactive damage control to proactive protection.

In the heart of downtown Cleveland’s entertainment district, where neon signs and live music pulse through the city’s veins, Klutch Cannabis has opened what...