Dispensary Design Trends: Creating an Inviting Atmosphere
The cannabis industry is booming in North America, with dispensaries popping up across Canada and the USA. As the market matures and competition increases, dispensary owners are looking for ways to stand out and attract customers. One key factor in achieving a stand out dispensary is through thoughtful and inviting dispensary design. In this article, we'll explore US vs Canada dispensary design, examining best practices and innovative examples to help create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for your customers. Let’s dive in.
Understanding the Importance of Dispensary Design in Enhancing Customer Experience
First impressions are the most important factor when it comes to retaining customers. We know this from big brands like Apple that focus on delivering a unified experience across all its locations tailored to the best retail customer experience (CX). When your customers feel understood they are more likely to spend money with you. In our cannabis cafe setup guide you’ll find the same holds true.
As this Forbes article mentions, the first step into a store sets the tone for the rest of your customers' visit. This is why it is important to keep this space open and place the correct Menu TVs in a direct viewing area. After all, no one wants to spend time looking for product catalogs when entering a store.
Focus on creating a precise floor layout that directs your visitors easily while highlighting your brand and products. Your design’s every element should match your target audience’s specific needs. Aim to develop a layout that not only streamlines the shopping process but also builds a recognizable brand image within legal regulations. getting your dispensary brand launch correct will set you up for ongoing success.
Regulations and Restrictions for Dispensary Design
Before diving further into design trends, it's crucial to understand the legal landscape governing dispensary design in Canada and the USA. Both countries have distinct regulations that impact how your dispensary can be designed and operated. Let’s take a look.
Canada
In Canada, the federal Cannabis Act and provincial regulations govern dispensary design and operation. Here are important factors for design to keep in mind:
Store Signage and Advertising: Strict regulations govern how dispensaries can advertise and promote their products and services. For example, advertising cannot be appealing to young people or make misleading claims about the health benefits of cannabis. You also need to ensure you have the correct window coverings to keep products out of sight of a younger audience.
Online Advertising: This is restricted or banned on many online platforms limiting how your dispensary places online ads. Stick to organic content to help you get people into your stores.
Accessibility: Dispensaries must comply with accessibility standards to ensure access for all customers, including those with disabilities. This may include providing ramps, accessible restrooms, and appropriate signage.
USA
In the USA, cannabis laws and regulations vary significantly from state to state. You must be well-versed in the specific rules governing your location. Some key points to remember for store design include:
Store Signage and Advertising: There are specific regulations governing how your dispensary can operate when it comes to store signage and advertising. Your location must not make cannabis look like a lifestyle choice and you need to verify every customer’s age depending on which state you’re located in.
Online Advertising: Similar to in Canada, many online platforms forbid cannabis or related product advertising with exceptions in California and CBD products.
Security Requirements: Dispensaries must implement robust security measures, including surveillance systems, alarm systems, and secure storage for cannabis products. This is to prevent theft and ensure the safety of both staff and customers.
Accessibility: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates accessibility for all customers. This includes providing access to all areas of the dispensary, offering appropriate communication methods, and making reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
Design Trends and Best Practices
With a solid understanding of the regulatory framework, you can focus on creating an inviting and engaging atmosphere for your dispensary or retail location. Here are some design trends and best practices we found:
Minimalist Interior Design
Minimalist design is gaining popularity in dispensaries, creating a clean, modern, and sophisticated ambiance that makes it easy to focus on what’s important - products. This approach emphasizes clean lines, neutral color palettes, and uncluttered spaces to allow for free space for customers to browse product catalogs.
Biophilic Design
Incorporating natural elements into your dispensary design can create a harmonious and soothing atmosphere that is pleasing for your customers. Biophilic design elements, such as wood accents, potted plants, and natural artwork, can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being creating a soothing effect on your visitors.
Interactive Product Displays
Interactive tablet displays enhance customer engagement and create opportunities for education. These tablets can provide information about different strains, product origins, and effects, empowering your customers to make informed purchase decisions and increasing basket sizes.
Thoughtful Space Planning
An efficient and well-organized layout is essential for a positive dispensary experience so your customers don’t get lost trying to figure out what’s going on and how to buy their favourite products. Consider customer flow from your front door to the checkout counter, product catalog accessibility, and privacy.
Customizable Lighting
Lighting plays a vital role in setting the mood and highlighting products effectively. You should consider implementing adjustable lighting systems that can be tailored to different areas and product displays since natural lighting can be limited with restrictions of having covering on your windows. Warm, dimmable lighting in lounge areas can create a cozy and relaxed ambiance, while brighter task lighting in product showcases ensures proper visibility meeting accessibility requirements.
Innovative Promotional Displays
The way products are displayed can greatly impact customer perception and purchase decisions. Innovative promo displays, such as custom menus that showcase a specific type of product, can elevate the overall shopping experience by making decisions easier for your customers. Unique and on brand content on these promo TVs helps to build a sense of brand loyalty among your customers.
Multi-Functional Spaces
You can go beyond just being a place to purchase cannabis products by incorporating multi-functional spaces within your store. Hosting educational workshops, community events, or featuring local artists' work can create a sense of community engagement and provide additional value to customers beyond just the bud.
Instagrammable Moments
Dispensaries are incorporating visually appealing and Instagrammable design features into their spaces across Canada and the USA. These elements, whether it's an eye-catching mural, a unique art installation, or a captivating architectural feature, encourage customers to capture and share their experiences on social media platforms, leading to increased brand visibility and organic marketing reach. This benefit helps you cover the gap left by online advertising.
Catering to Seasonal Trends
Understanding seasonal trends in cannabis product popularity can inform design choices. For example, in Canada, beverages tend to be more popular in the summer, pre-rolls are popular year-round with a spike in summer sales, and bulk purchases are more common in the winter. You can use this information to adjust product placement and digital signage displays throughout the year, creating seasonal bundles and special menus.
Common Design Mistakes to Avoid
While there are many ways to create an inviting dispensary atmosphere, there are also common design mistakes that can hinder the customer experience in your store. Here are a few you should avoid:
Unclear Brand Positioning: Your dispensary's design should clearly reflect your brand identity and target audience’s needs. Without a clear brand message, the design feels disjointed and fails to resonate with your customers. Ensure your digital signage and print menus all fit your brand and help you stand out to your customers.
Designing Without a Concept: A well-defined design concept ensures that all elements of your dispensary work together to create a cohesive and engaging customer experience. Without a concept, your design may lack direction and fail to create a memorable impression. This is similar to shooting in the dark, you want to ensure you are intentional about the spaces you create within your store so your customers don’t feel lost when they enter.
Examples of Well-Designed Dispensaries
Canada
Alchemy Downtown Toronto: This dispensary features a biophilic design with a large skylight that floods the space with natural light. A circular garden with a tree sapling at its center creates a focal point and reinforces the connection to nature. The use of whitewashed ash wood adds warmth and texture to the space.
Dutch love: This Ottawa dispensary incorporates biophilic design with a unique display table joinery that uses opaque sheets of backlit plastic board with potted plants inside. This creates a visually striking element and brings the outdoors in.
The Hunny Pot Cannabis Co.: This Toronto dispensary boasts a modern interior design with white and black walls and a well-thought-out floor plan that encourages customer exploration. Staff members use tablets to provide personalized service and product education.
Tokyo Smoke Yonge St.: This Toronto dispensary has an uber-modern aesthetic, with clean lines, minimalist displays, and a focus on technology. The shopping experience is reminiscent of an Apple store, with a focus on product presentation and customer service.
Superette: This dispensary chain in Toronto and Ottawa features creative and playful concepts inspired by high-end boutique grocers. Their stores often incorporate unique elements, such as flower bouquets surrounding bud scent jars, to create a memorable experience.
City Cannabis: This Vancouver dispensary feels like an urban oasis, with lush greenery and inviting, open spaces. The design emphasizes natural light and a connection to the outdoors. They were one of the first dispensaries to implement a pneumatic tube delivery system, adding a unique and futuristic touch to the customer experience.
USA
Silverpeak Apothecary (Aspen, CO): This dispensary combines a Sonoma winery feel with a comfortable, upscale atmosphere. Natural accents, wood display cases, and bright lighting create a space where customers feel at ease. The design emphasizes a sense of sophistication and relaxation.
SPARC (San Francisco, CA): This dispensary features a minimalist design with cement floors, steel shelving, and glass lighting fixtures. The open layout and industrial aesthetic create a modern and spacious feel.
The Green Easy (Los Angeles, CA): This dispensary offers a clean, sleek design with glass and metal display cases. The focus is on product visibility and efficient customer service.
Green Qween (Los Angeles): This dispensary reimagines a 1930s Art Deco structure into a vibrant space dedicated to LGBTQ+ and BIPOC-owned cannabis brands. The design is colorful, whimsical, and inclusive, with a focus on celebrating diversity.
Bud's Goods & Provisions (Watertown, MA): This dispensary emphasizes education and accessibility, with a design inspired by New England colonial homes. The space is warm and inviting, with a focus on creating a comfortable and informative experience for customers.
The Artist Tree Lounge (Los Angeles): This dispensary offers a residential sensibility with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and outdoor spaces. The design creates a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, encouraging customers to linger and explore.
Questions
1. How can Budvue enhance my dispensary’s design and customer experience?
Budvue’s digital signage solutions streamline customer interactions and create an engaging retail experience. Key benefits include:
Seamless Product Discovery: Digital menus and promo screens help customers easily browse products, pricing, and promotions.
Brand Consistency: Customizable displays ensure your dispensary’s look and feel align with your brand identity.
Dynamic Content Updates: Effortlessly update pricing, product availability, and featured deals in real-time.
Engaging Visuals: Professionally designed content and high-quality displays attract attention and improve customer retention.
2. How can Budvue help create an Instagrammable dispensary experience?
Budvue helps dispensaries design visually appealing spaces that encourage organic social media sharing:
Customizable Promo Screens: Eye-catching digital content showcases top-selling products, deals and information.
Branded Digital Signage: Unique animations, visuals, and some store-specific themes make your dispensary stand out.
Engaging Educational Displays: Informative product descriptions and strain information encourage customers to explore and share their experiences.
Seasonal & Themed Displays: Easily adjust visuals for promotions, events, and holidays from the Dashboard to keep your content fresh and engaging.
3. What common dispensary design mistakes can Budvue help me avoid?
Budvue ensures your dispensary remains visually appealing and customer-friendly by preventing these mistakes:
Cluttered Paper Menus: Digital signage eliminates messy, outdated printed menus, keeping your store sleek and organized.
Slow Product Updates: With Budvue, you can instantly update menus and promotions instead of relying on manual changes.
Lack of Customer Guidance: Strategically placed digital screens direct customers, reducing confusion and improving navigation.
Inconsistent Branding: Budvue’s customizable displays maintain a cohesive brand image across all store locations.
Conclusion
Dispensary design is a critical factor in creating a successful cannabis retail business in North America. By understanding the regulations, incorporating current design trends, and leveraging technology, you can create an inviting and engaging atmosphere that attracts customers and fosters brand loyalty. Prioritizing accessibility and sustainability further enhances the customer experience and demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility which customers love. As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, dispensary design will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of cannabis retail.
Ready to elevate your dispensary? Book a demo today.