How to Make Your Dispensary Stand Out from the Crowd

In today's booming cannabis market, making your dispensary unique is key to success. With so many options out there, you need to give customers a reason to choose you. We previously discussed 3 strategies to help you launch with success. Now, let's dive into some strategies that can help your store shine, with insights from one of our clients.

Creating a Lasting First Impression

First impressions are crucial in the cannabis retail industry for several reasons. The initial moments a customer spends in your store can significantly impact their overall experience and likelihood of returning. In fact, the first few feet inside a cannabis dispensary, known as the decompression zone, is where shoppers stop and take in their surroundings. They need time to acclimate to the smells, sounds, temperature, and general vibe, and will often make the decision to stay or leave at this point.

By focusing on creating a strong first impression, you're not just selling products – you're selling an experience. This can help differentiate your store from competitors and create a lasting impact that keeps customers coming back.

Randy Hollick, owner of Vibes Cannabis, knows this well. He shares, "We initially launched with it (Budvue) to try to create the right impression."

Randy emphasizes the importance of being different: "Presentation wise we always wanted to go that route. we wanted to be different from everyone else." This desire for uniqueness is what drove Randy to plan their entire store strategy around education.

Leveraging Technology for a Unique Experience

One way to really make your dispensary pop is by using digital displays. These displays offer your dispensary a dynamic way to showcase your products, educate customers, and stay compliant with ever-changing regulations. These screens can be used to present real-time inventory updates, highlight daily specials, and provide crucial information about strains, effects, and dosing guidelines. This not only enhances the customer experience but also helps your budtenders guide shoppers through their purchase decisions more effectively.

Look for custom digital menu boards that not only look sleek but also provide real-time product information. Imagine your customers being able to browse your entire inventory on an interactive touchscreen – pretty cool, right?

Randy has seen the impact firsthand: "We get comments on our displays a lot. People say this is the best layout they've seen." He adds, "It's definitely works, and it helps people come back. That's why some people shop here."

Educate and Engage

Knowledge is power, especially in the cannabis industry. Many customers are still new to cannabis and may feel overwhelmed by all the options. Leverage that. Train your staff to be knowledgeable about all your products, from different strains to consumption methods.

Randy emphasizes this approach: "We're very intimate and independent and educational." He adds, "Promo TVs allow us to have more information provided than the typical retailers for the product people are buying. It helps separate us in that regard."

Custom planned and well thought out digital displays can work here too. They can showcase educational content. You are able to display information about different strains, the endocannabinoid system, or the latest cannabis research. You can also create your own promos featuring your pets or favourite products.

Personalize the Experience

In a world of big chains and faceless corporations, people crave personalized experiences. This is especially true in the cannabis industry, where customers often seek guidance and tailored recommendations. As a dispensary owner or manager, you have a unique opportunity to create meaningful connections with your clientele.

Get to know your customers on a personal level. Remember their names, their preferences, and their favourite products. This personal touch can go a long way in building customer loyalty. Train your budtenders to engage in friendly conversation and to take note of customer preferences too. This information is invaluable for providing personalized service in future visits.

Our favourite way to personalize the customer experience is with tablet apps. It allows customers to browse products independently, giving them the freedom to explore at their own pace. But it's not just for customers - it's also a powerful tool for your budtenders. The app provides detailed product information at their fingertips, allowing them to quickly answer customer questions and make informed recommendations. By combining the personal touch of your staff with the technological capabilities of tablets, you can create a highly personalized shopping experience. This approach not only enhances customer satisfaction but also encourages repeat visits and word-of-mouth recommendations.

Smart Advertising

Smart Advertising through Promo TVs, is a powerful strategy to enhance your in-store marketing and drive sales. These dynamic displays serve as an effective in-house advertising channel, allowing you to highlight specific products and promotions in a visually engaging manner. As Randy points out, the impact of these ads is significant: "Some people see an ad and ask about it and grab it too. It can help with cart size. Sometimes people see something and they store it in their brain for next time to buy too." This illustrates how Smart Ads can influence customer behaviour, encouraging them to consider featured items during their shopping experience.

One of the key benefits of utilizing Smart Ads is the ability to increase customer engagement. By showcasing promotions and best-selling products, you can draw attention to items that may otherwise go unnoticed. This not only helps in moving overstocked inventory but also promotes popular products that customers are likely to purchase. The strategic use of these displays allows you to effectively manage your inventory while simultaneously enhancing the shopping experience.

To maximize the effectiveness of Smart Ads, you should focus on dynamic content that keeps displays fresh and engaging. Regularly updating visuals and messaging ensures that customers remain interested and informed about your current promotions. Placing Smart Ads in high-traffic areas of the store can significantly increase visibility, making it easier for customers to discover new products or special offers. By leveraging these strategies, you can create an immersive shopping environment that drives sales and boosts customer satisfaction.

Creating a Unique Atmosphere

Creating a unique atmosphere in your dispensary is essential for standing out in the competitive cannabis retail landscape. As Randy highlights, digital displays can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your store by showcasing different cannabis categories like indica, hybrid, and sativa. This vibrant and organized presentation not only captivates customers but also educates them about product offerings, making the shopping experience more engaging. A well-designed atmosphere influences customer behaviour, encouraging exploration and increasing the time spent in your store.

To craft a memorable ambiance, consider how elements like lighting, music, and interactive displays can enhance the customer experience. Use a combination of ambient and accent lighting to create a welcoming environment, and choose music that resonates with your brand identity. Interactive displays, such as TV menus, can further engage customers and provide valuable product information. Ultimately, ensuring that all elements align with your brand and appeal to your target audience will create a cohesive atmosphere that attracts customers and fosters loyalty.

Questions

How can Budvue's digital menu boards help my dispensary stand out?

Budvue's digital menu boards provide real-time product information in a sleek, modern format. They can showcase your entire inventory, display educational content, and be quickly updated to reflect new products or promotions. This creates a more engaging and informative experience for your customers.

What are Budvue's Promo TVs and how can they benefit my dispensary?

Budvue's Promo TVs, also known as Smart Ads, are dynamic displays that serve as an in-house advertising channel. They allow you to highlight specific products, showcase promotions, and effectively influence purchasing decisions, potentially increasing cart sizes and driving sales.

How does Budvue support customization and ongoing changes to my digital displays?

Budvue offers ongoing support for design changes and screen placement adjustments without additional fees. This includes quick turnaround times for updates, essentially providing you with the support of a graphic designer on your team.

Can Budvue's solutions help with customer education in my dispensary?

Yes, Budvue's digital displays can showcase educational content with our Promo TVs. This allows you to provide information about different strains, cannabis research, or other relevant topics, supporting your efforts to educate customers.

Conclusion

Standing out in the crowded cannabis market isn't easy, but it's definitely possible. By focusing on creating a unique in-store experience, educating your customers, personalizing interactions, and leveraging technology you can create a dispensary that truly stands out from the crowd.

Remember, it's not just about selling cannabis – it's about creating an experience that keeps customers coming back again and again. As Randy puts it, "It's(Budvue) part of the experience, it's like a showcase."

Ready to take your dispensary to the next level? Book a demo with Budvue today and see how our digital solutions can help transform your store into a standout success!