Three Ways COVID-19 has changed the Cannabis Market and How GreenScreens Can Help

The only constant in the legal cannabis market through its infancy has been change. The COVID crisis has forced the industry to grow up fast with record-breaking sales since lockdown orders in March.

Many jurisdictions deemed cannabis businesses as essential, providing GreenScreens with the unique opportunity of being in business and serving an essential business during a pandemic. Here are some trends we think are here to stay and what we can do to help make sure your dispensary or product brand keeps on top of them.

1. Online purchasing

Conducting business during coronavirus posed major challenges for dispensaries, namely the need to shift from in-store purchasing to online shopping with curbside pickup and contactless delivery. GreenScreens was there, pivoting our services to help our clients refocus their retail floor.  

For many, shopping for smokable flower is very much a visceral experience, where smell and appearance make a large impact on a purchase. However, a lot of consumers no longer want to wait in line.  

GreenScreens can digitize your store to cater to online customers. With our cloud-based services your web page menu will always match what you have displayed in your store. This allows you to create on the fly promotions and identify your most consistent selling products across all your sales channels to bolster your daily revenue. We’ve also expanded our features to streamline online shopping, with options including QR code technology and chatbot features.

2. Edibles and beverages  

Edible alternatives for marijuana consumption took up relatively little shelf space before COVID-19 in most dispensaries. But during the pandemic these products saw a major uptick in popularity. Gone are the days of the homemade and unpredictably dosed brownies. Now edible alternatives are evolving with their discerning customer base.

Already in Canada, drink giant Anheuser-Busch has introduced teas and sparkling THC-centric beverages. Could a U.S. launch be far behind?

GreenScreens helps navigate shifting inventory needs. Our technology allows you to track and communicate vital product information and upcoming shipments. You can also utilize real-time sales trends on a single data collection platform for analytics and business intelligence.

3. Brand loyalty

The current financial situation will affect how consumers spend their money, and purchasing decisions will be made inline with brands that they value.  

GreenScreens provides a platform for brands to advertise directly through the dispensaries that sell their products, maintaining brand image and position on the retail floor – and online – collecting consumer data on buying habits.  Our digital solutions are programmed to show advertisements, product menus, announcement boards, social media, and much more.

This form of advertising is so powerful that 55% of viewers can recall the ads they see on a digital sign. But most importantly, 100% of the dispensary staff will have your brand top of mind when they are suggesting products that are tailored toward the needs of their clientele.