Lauren Sutton

A smiling woman with fair skin and long dark highlighted hair.

Lauren Author Portrait

Learn how to curate a visually appealing and enticing product display that showcases your unique cannabis offerings

Dispensary Merchandising Techniques

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on retail merchandising strategies for your retail dispensary. In this blog post, we will explore key elements such as product placement and display, store design and atmosphere, merchandising analytics, e-commerce plans, and marketing techniques.

By following these expert tips, you can enhance the visual appeal of your dispensary, optimize customer experiences, and boost sales. Whether you are a new dispensary owner or looking to revamp your existing space, this merchandising 101 guide will equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to create a successful and engaging retail environment.

![Elevate Woodland Hills Merchandising](//downloads.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/DLrghdJQl7reqVrlGSc6a/0175bc9b6ac45604afe6bdd32da90213/Elevate_Woodland_Hills_Merchandising.png)

## Product Placement and Display

__Organize by Category:__ Arrange your cannabis products into clearly defined categories such as flower, edibles, concentrates, and accessories. This makes it easier for customers to navigate your store and find what they need.

__Strategic Placement:__ Place popular and high-margin products at eye level or in prominent locations to capture customers' attention. Use shelves, displays, and product stands to showcase featured items or new arrivals. Ensure what you have on display accurately represents inventory you have have in stock to create a seamless trasaction at POS. [Dispensary inventory management](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/dispensary-inventory-management) plays a key role in the customer experience. 

__Cross-Merchandising:__ Create complementary product displays to encourage upselling and cross-selling. For example, display flower products alongside compatible smoking accessories or pair edibles with quick preroll options.

__Storytelling through Visuals:__ Use visual merchandising techniques to tell a story and create an immersive experience. Incorporate educational signage, product descriptions, and imagery that reflects the lifestyle and values associated with cannabis.

__Seasonal and Holiday Themes:__ Tailor your displays to seasonal events and holidays. For example, during 4/20 celebrations, create a dedicated section with special offers and cannabis-related merchandise.

![Lemonnade Van Nuys Merchandising Dispensary](//downloads.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/7wU4XuiawdE1jlo81j1WY3/6a7a25c086650e136d98ea6f0ec2a0dd/Lemonnade_Van_Nuys_Merchandising_Dispensary.png)

## Store Design and Atmosphere

__Lighting:__ Implement a well-designed lighting scheme that enhances the visual appeal of your store while ensuring products are adequately illuminated. Experiment with different lighting styles to create the desired ambiance.

__Music and Sound:__ Select background music or ambient sounds that align with your brand and target audience. Consider using music genres or playlists that evoke a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

__Scent Marketing:__ Incorporate pleasant and subtle scents into your store to create a memorable experience. Consider using natural aromas that complement the cannabis products without overpowering them.

__Comfortable Seating Areas:__ Create cozy seating areas where customers can relax, socialize, and learn more about your products. This encourages a longer dwell time and fosters a sense of community.

__Interactive Elements:__ Incorporate interactive displays or touchscreens that provide product information, strain details, or consumption methods. This engages customers and helps them make informed purchasing decisions. Read more about the importance of omni-channel sales and Meadow's self-serve Kiosk capabilities: [Grow Revenue with Self-Service Dispensary Kiosks](https://getmeadow.com/blog/grow-revenue-with-self-service-dispensary-kiosks)

![Elevate Woodland Hills Merchandising Cannabis Dispensary](//downloads.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/2WTrfFEykVvvp4MPf8KAvC/d7837eb843fd62c63db0a4546c63d256/Elevate_Woodland_Hills_Merchandising__2_.png)

## Events and Workshops

__Educational Sessions:__ Host workshops, seminars, or demonstrations on cannabis-related topics to educate customers and build trust. This positions your dispensary as a reliable source of information and cultivates a loyal customer base.

__Vendor Collaborations:__ Partner with cannabis brands and invite them to conduct product demonstrations in your store. This gives customers the opportunity to interact with industry experts and explore new products.

__Community Engagement:__ Organize charity events or participate in local community initiatives to establish a positive reputation and foster a sense of belonging among your customers.

[![The Ultimate Guide to Compliant Cannabis Event Retail Sales](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/7rGU4JD0BiYkN8suSx8hBe/c532f2837f8cedd02079861792c9ec3c/Screen_Shot_2022-10-14_at_11.29.14_AM.png)](https://getmeadow.com/community-and-events#cannabis-events-guidebook "Guide to Cannabis Sales at Events")

## Merchandising Analytics

__Point of Sale (POS) Data:__ Utilize your [cannabis retail software](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/cannabis-retail) system to gather valuable data on customer buying patterns, popular products, and peak sales periods. Analyze this information to make data-driven merchandising decisions. With Meadow POS, you can access readily available data and charts via Premium Insights and Analytics or in-depth Excel files downloaded from our Reporting suite. Read more: [How Meadow Reports Can Help Boost Your Business Decisions](https://getmeadow.com/blog/the-power-of-data-analysis-how-meadow-reports-can-help-boost-your-business)

__A/B Testing:__ Experiment with different product placements, displays, and promotions to understand their impact on sales. Compare results and iterate on your merchandising strategies based on the insights gained.

__Customer Feedback:__ Encourage customers to provide feedback on their shopping experience through surveys, comment cards, or online reviews. Listen to their suggestions and make improvements accordingly. Consider Meadow’s integration with Eyerate that turns feedback into powerful marketing, by incentivizing your employees to get mentioned online.

## e-Commerce

__Clear and Intuitive Website Navigation:__ Design your e-commerce website with a user-friendly interface allowing customers to easily navigate different product categories, filters, and search options. Provide clear and concise product descriptions to help customers make informed decisions.

__Featured Product Sections:__ Create prominent sections on your website to highlight featured products, new arrivals, or limited-time offers. These sections can serve as a virtual storefront, capturing customers' attention and driving sales.

__Promotions and Discounts:__ Offer online-exclusive promotions, bundle deals, or loyalty rewards to incentivize customers to shop on your website. Display these offers prominently on your homepage or dedicated promotional sections. 

__Seamless Online and Offline Integration:__ Implement a unified inventory management system that synchronizes your physical store and online stock. This ensures accurate product availability information for online shoppers and avoids disappointment due to out-of-stock items.

__Mobile Optimization:__ Optimize your e-commerce website for mobile devices, as a significant portion of online shopping is now conducted on smartphones and tablets. Ensure a seamless and user-friendly mobile experience to capture this growing segment of customers.

### All of these features and more are intricately incorporated into Meadow’s embedded menu: 

- Real-time inventory and stock updates without delay
- Mobile Optimization and customization options that creates a seamless online shopping experience from any device
- Set and forget automatic discounts that knock down the customer grand total at check-out
- Customers can redeem loyalty points with just a few clicks and their new total will be reflected at check-out

## Marketing

__Seasonal Campaigns:__ Align your [cannabis marketing](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/cannabis-marketing) efforts with seasonal events, holidays, or cannabis-related celebrations. Create themed campaigns that feature specific products, promotions, or limited-edition items. Leverage social media, email marketing, and your website to communicate these campaigns to your target audience.

__Email Marketing:__ Build an email subscriber list to communicate directly with your customers. Send out regular newsletters that feature new product launches, promotions, educational content, and exclusive discounts. Personalize your email campaigns based on customers' preferences and purchase history for better engagement.

__Social Media Engagement:__ Develop a strong social media presence on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Share engaging content, behind-the-scenes glimpses, product highlights, and customer testimonials.  Encourage user-generated content and create interactive social media campaigns to foster a sense of community around your dispensary.

__Loyalty Programs:__ Implement a loyalty program to reward repeat customers and encourage customer retention. Offer exclusive perks, discounts, early access to new products, or special events for loyal customers. Promote the benefits of your loyalty program through in-store signage, email marketing, and social media. Read more about Meadow's built-in [Loyalty and Rewards](https://getmeadow.com/features/loyalty-and-rewards) program.

__Community Events and Sponsorships:__ Participate in local community events, sponsor local initiatives, or host your own events to engage with the community and build brand awareness. Support relevant causes and collaborate with local organizations to demonstrate your dispensary's commitment to the community.

![Elevate Woodland Hills Cannabis Dispensary Merchandising](//downloads.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/3SWKdfonSmLn9yibTw4CtP/239cca3e2c29113342938f0f3b96a610/Elevate_Woodland_Hills_Cannabis_Dispensary_Merchandising.png)

# Why retail merchandising matters

Retail merchandising is a powerful tool to ensure shoppers have an enjoyable experience in your store. Carefully organizing and displaying products helps customers quickly find what they're looking for instead of feeling overwhelmed by the overwhelming number of SKUs that can clutter stores. Taking the time to thoughtfully arrange items lets customers relax while browsing and encourages them to purchase more efficiently—a must-have if you want happy returns! On the other hand, poorly planned displays will only lead consumers away from your business, with bad experiences still fresh in their minds.


Discover how innovative packaging can enhance the overall shopping experience and increase the perceived value of your cannabis products.

Dispensary Merchandising 

Explore the art of creating a welcoming and comfortable environment that entices customers to explore your merchandise.

Mastering Cannabis Dispensary Merchandising

Baked by the River, an independent cannabis dispensary. At the helm are local residents, Jesse Marie and Cord – dedicated educators and activists who themselves were punished by the archaic systems that penalized both people and the plant.

Baked by the River New Jersey NJ

Happy New Year Meadow Community! 🥁 Drum roll, please…

### Baked By The River: A New Era in New Jersey Cannabis Dispensaries

<sidebar padding="no">
  ![New Jersey Dispensaries ](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/2OU5Ljn50rLy4m5PvJVq3F/3da1a3b4b14a7ce95dd5802ce3892948/36ABBDFF-D588-4D73-A19A-36F9042C9749_1_105_c.jpeg) 
</sidebar> We’re happy to announce the launch of [Baked By The River](https://bakedbytheriver.com/), [Lambertville, New Jersey’s first Woman and Equity applicant-owned recreational dispensary](https://www.nj.com/galleries/FZCEADFJXZHJ7DHECNQQPZU24U/).  At the helm are local residents, Jesse Marie and Cord Schlobohm, both dedicated educators and cannabis activists who have realized their dream in a historic firehouse at the heart of Lambertville. For over a decade, Jesse Marie, herself a medical cannabis patient, baked edibles to serve other patients in her community with her dream to one day open her own.

---

<figure>

  ![Owners of upcoming Baked by The River weed dispensary in Lambertville](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/5QODdTMgMrMj9A8Cl7Nj6j/b7b7b9ccc4092c0da4f04f3b68253932/BSAN52BZR5FOTCWUAEDKWLXZMQ.avif)

  <figcaption> Baked by the River, an independent cannabis dispensary. At the helm are local residents, Jesse Marie and Cord Schlobohm – dedicated educators and activists who themselves were punished by the archaic systems that penalized both people and the plant. </figcaption>
</figure>

__Congratulations Jesse & Cord!__

Helping to bring your dream to life has been an absolute pleasure, and we’re just as proud to say that Meadow, our award-winning, best-reviewed, omnichannel [cannabis retail](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/cannabis-retail) POS, now powers Baked By The River. 

<sidebar side="right">
  ![Plantbase LLC](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/ctHJu6hGLalfIqoD2MYtO/4ae1eaf0054d128ae94064767352061a/6F5417BB-7157-4B36-A000-F1AA2FF99D2E_1_105_c.jpeg) 
</sidebar>

### Meadow's Partnership with New Jersey's Cannabis Industry Leaders

And moving forward into 2024, we’re excited to be opening __Plant Base dispensary in Plain Field, New Jersey.__ Plant Base is the brainchild of lifelong friends Kevon Carter, Prince Abidoye, and Alishea Kelly. Prince and Alishea met playing basketball at CSU Stanislaus State, while Prince and Kevon crossed paths in the NYC basketball world when they were just 16. They have a vision that extends beyond a simple dispensary - they're creating a space where quality cannabis promotes wellness and community harmony. 

<sidebar padding="no">
  ![MJ Biz Con](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/1BrLCtgBzjPSGtKdSlPAom/cde82ea531ad1f1098f49afad6bbb916/428923D4-542B-48CB-AF2D-720FFE98E35C_1_105_c.jpeg)
</sidebar>

We were lucky enough to meet them all at [MJBiz Con 2023](https://mjbizconference.com/) and have been excited ever since. With Art Byrd, a CFO with 30 years of experience in finance, and Yves Thony, a CTO with 20 years of experience in tech and buildout, they have a well-rounded team ready to change the game. Even before opening their doors, they've already started making a difference. This past November, [they held a free legal expungement clinic](https://www.tapinto.net/towns/plainfield/sections/community-life/articles/plant-base-llc-to-host-expungement-clinic-in-plainfield-on-november-11) for locals in the Plain Field area.

### Celebrating Milestones in New Jersey's Cannabis Dispensaries

The opening of both of these stores (*and more to come!*) marks the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of excellence from our Meadow Team, and we couldn’t be happier to be doing it with Jesse & Cord and Kev & Prince who represent the very best of what passionate small business owners can do in the cannabis industry.

<sidebar side="right">
![Support local cannabis sign](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/1noo6MzapBDJhCck1L84Dp/bedb76730214333b0e34381e857b2bcc/DC2FECE2-0473-451F-BE62-BC0E8108270A_1_105_c.jpeg) 
</sidebar>

### From Dream to Reality: The Journey of New Jersey's Cannabis Entrepreneurs

Since we started ten years ago, Meadow’s goal has been to make the very best software in cannabis. Our commitment to __[innovation](https://getmeadow.com/), [compliance](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/cannabis-compliance), and [customer satisfaction](https://www.g2.com/products/meadow-meadow/reviews#reviews)__ has driven every line of code, late-night brainstorming session, and hurdle overcome. While the road to this milestone has been challenging, it is through the efforts of our entire team and our incredible clients and supporters who have supported us every step of the way that we did it. 

<sidebar padding="no">
  ![Baked by the River](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/tdhMY9KLcWgsydMOLVZ8G/acdc4ccdd888cda84b7214be38a4012b/D3K5WPNHQZGVVJX4ZPO2F2X3M4.avif)
  </sidebar> 

### Advancing New Jersey's Cannabis Market: The Role of Innovative Dispensaries and Tech Partnerships

In every state we work in, [Meadow positively impacts the cannabis industry](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/cannabis-industry-leadership), and looking into January, we can’t wait to replicate the success of Baked By The River and Plant Base in five more stores in New Jersey with five more equally incredible teams. Each one will work on the best-reviewed, easiest-to-use POS software for efficiency, compliance, customer satisfaction, and omnichannel sales.

Thank you for being an integral part of this incredible journey.

n the heart of Lambertville sits a historic firehouse with a new purpose: Baked by the River, an independent cannabis dispensary. At the helm are local residents, Jesse Marie and Cord - dedicated educators and activists who themselves were punished by the archaic systems that penalized both people and the plant. For over a decade, Jesse Marie, herself a medical cannabis patient, baked to serve other patients in her community.

Baked by the River Cannabis Retail POS New Jersey

Meadow's Cannabis POS System Hits New Jersey, Setting Industry Standards

Breaking Ground: Meadow POS System Paves the Way for Seamless Cannabis Retail Experiences in New Jersey

Seasonal Hiring

In a seasonal-driven industry like [retail cannabis](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/cannabis-retail), mastering the art of hiring and employee retention is paramount. By leveraging [data-driven insights](https://getmeadow.com/features/analytics-and-reporting), adopting innovative technologies, and prioritizing a positive workplace culture, your dispensary can not only navigate the challenges of seasonal demand but also emerge as a leader in the competitive landscape. 

In this webinar, __Jessica Cranney of [Green Mile High HR Consulting](https://grnmilehigh.com/)__, delves into the importance of data-driven decision-making in retail operations, particularly in scheduling and staffing. Without historical data trends, operators might struggle to prepare for — ***and profit from*** — these peak periods. 

Cranney also emphasized that hiring for these peak sales periods cannot be a last-minute affair. It requires advanced planning, taking into consideration the time for marketing the hiring event, collecting and pre-scheduling applicants, making selections, and ensuring the selected candidates are compliant and trained.

Don't miss out on easy opportunities to improve your approach to seasonal hiring in your dispensary! Elevate your staffing game and ensure your business thrives in every season by watching the full-length webinar below.

<figure>
<video-player url="https://youtu.be/zA_Xu1Lrsok
"></video-player>
<figcaption>Master seasonal hiring with Jessica Cranney! 🌿 Elevate your dispensary's game with data-driven insights.</figcaption>
</figure>

High time for seasonal hiring

Unlock success in cannabis retail with data-driven hiring strategies! 

High Times, High Stakes: Unveiling the Secrets to Successful Seasonal Hiring in the Retail Cannabis Industry

Green Growth CPAs

Whether you own a small dispensary servicing a few hundred customers or multi-store chain servicing a few thousand, you’ve probably realized that [cannabis retail](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/cannabis-retail) is a constantly evolving industry with unique financial and tax implications. Understanding the benefits of structuring your business as a C-Corp can be a game-changer. 

In this webinar, Wally Wong from [Meadow](https://getmeadow.com/about) and Daniel Sabet of [Green Growth CPAs](https://greengrowthcpas.com/) dove into the advantages of C-Corp formation for standalone retail cannabis operations.

In the webinar, Daniel covers what sets C-Corporations apart, and why are they gaining traction in the cannabis sector to not only take advantage of tax breaks but also to raise capital and attract investors. He also touches on 1202 small business stock exclusions which can have significant implications for those considering an exit strategy.

__For a full understanding of why C-Corp formation can offer significant advantages, especially for those with an eye towards an eventual exit, here’s the full recording:__

<figure>
  <video-player url="https://youtu.be/atakGP-iLTs" width="560" height="315"></video-player>
  <figcaption>Discover how C-Corps not only optimize tax benefits but also pave the way for capital infusion and investor appeal. Elevate your cannabis venture to new heights—watch the full webinar for a roadmap to financial prosperity and strategic growth.</figcaption>
</figure>

<callout>[Meet with Green Growth CPAs](https://greengrowthcpas.com/get-started/?hsCtaTracking=c0d2a298-bd9d-4a4e-adf1-17b783d300ae%7C9c942b38-967e-47a1-8b46-7a593ed803c9)</callout>

Green Growth CPAs (1)

Curious about C-Corp strategies in cannabis? Read more to about the game-changing tactics that could redefine your business.

Unleashing Success: The Top Benefits of C-Corp Formation in the Retail Cannabis Industry

Upgrade your cannabis retail point of sale system to Meadow

Building the Best Dispensary POS

### It's time to upgrade to the best POS in 2023.

Stay ahead of the competition and don't miss out on the newest and most innovative options for cannabis retail and delivery operators. From advancements in inventory management, compliance, eCommerce, to our marketing CRM platform, Meadow’s cutting-edge POS technology can offer your dispensary the best combination of speed, accuracy and scalability in today's increasingly competitive market. 

Our team is consistently working to develop better tools so that our customers can spend less time on tedious tasks. Plus, we’re always listening to feedback and responding with new features that make managing a cannabis business easier than ever before. 

# The 7+ Biggest Recent Updates to Meadow’s Connected Cannabis Retail System:

### 1. __Tax Tiers and 2023 Excise Update__

The new [2023 California cannabis tax changes](https://getmeadow.com/blog/are-you-prepared-for-californias-new-excise-tax-calculation) are confusing and it can be tough to stay on top of all the updates, especially if you're not a numbers person. New cannabis excise tax regulations went into effect  and there's already a lot of confusion about how to comply. Businesses don't have time to waste trying to figure out this complex new system on their own.

Did you plan ahead for the CDTFA Emergency Guidelines? Meadow makes it easy to stay compliant. Our team is here to help guide you every step of the way so that you can comply with these new regulations. Not only have we made it easier than ever before for cannabis businesses in California to manage their taxes and stay compliant, but we offer outstanding customer service that won’t leave you feeling lost or overwhelmed. 

With our updates, retailers are now able to collect up to three levels of compounding taxes for each transaction, ensuring full compliance with state regulations. It’s easy to set up excise tax to compound local tax and sales tax to compound both excise and any local taxes. A new California Excise tax option was also released in tandem for dispensaries that will tax payment type fees and delivery fees. Meadow also makes it easy to see what excise tax has been paid and what’s left to remit. 

![title](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/7FupmRldFlwJs7V7wptTzf/36b0b00ab2075b39888f474fc0fdb6e2/1.png)

Learn more about[ California's excise tax changes](https://getmeadow.com/blog/california-cannabis-regulatory-changes-excise-tax-collection-and-payment)

Read more: [Cannabis Compliance](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/cannabis-compliance)

<callout>"All of the resources shared and the system updates made it easy for us to understand the new regulations and make the necessary adjustments. After reviewing Meadow reports, myself & one other team member were able to re-calculate prices based upon our desired individual product margins. There is no better system." - Mike, Green Remedy</callout>

### 2. __Offer a Customer Facing Display at The Point of Sale__

It can be difficult for customers to keep track of the total cost of the items in their basket. When you're shopping, the last thing you want is to feel confused or frustrated. You just want to find what you need and get out the door. As a retailer, visibly displaying customer costs might even be a compliance issue pending your local laws. 

Meadow's customer facing display shows your customers exactly what they are buying and how much it will cost them. This makes it easy for them to stay on top of their spending, which everybody loves. Meadow now displays a “total savings” directly to your customers along with each item in their cart followed by a live grand total that updates automatically; everyone loves to save money. The new "Total Savings" field adds up all total discounts for your customers. A customer facing display at the [point of sale](https://getmeadow.com/features/point-of-sale) can help to improve the customer experience, increase accuracy and security, and enhance efficiency, all of which can be beneficial for both your business and customers.

![Educate your customers](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/73gWra2Ck02BP29c1SL4Mw/e1ff17cad088d4258ee211698fc7a30d/what_we_built_for_2023.png)

### 3. __Meadow’s All-In-One Tools Are Now Live in Michigan, with Massachusetts, & New Jersey Coming Soon__

Cannabis retail is one of the most complex and rapidly growing industries in the United States. While the industry is expanding, the technology available to retailers has not kept up. Meadow provides a complete suite of retail tools that are designed specifically for cannabis businesses. Our platform is easy-to-use and helps you stay compliant with state regulations.

After eight years of building the best cannabis retail system for California, we're excited to announce our complete suite of connected tools for sales, marketing, inventory management, compliance, and more are now available throughout Michigan, with  Massachusetts and New Jersey coming soon. We've taken our best in class Metrc Integration and brought it to these markets. 

Read more in this [TechCrunch article](https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/26/meadow-expands-beyond-california-bringing-its-cannabis-point-of-sale-platform-to-michigan/?guccounter=1) about Meadow’s expansion into our second state legal market. 

![Meadow is now a multi-state point of sale system](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/6BpXDpPwqKJ67CVeHfQk8Y/107283c5d798db9b13d4e2e9f64bfae4/what_we_built_for_2023__1_.png)

### 4. __Text Marketing Updates and New Digital Flyers__

Dispensaries have been struggling to find a way to market their products since the 10DLC regulations went into effect. The 10DLC regulations have made it incredibly difficult for dispensaries to market their products. Carrier restrictions and filtering of cannabis-related terms has made it almost impossible to get your message out. This year, Meadow re-built our [cannabis marketing tool](https://getmeadow.com/features/cannabis-marketing) for compliance and increased deliverability. Our new SMS templates allow dispensaries to send custom messages that meet these tighter requirements. In addition, our Digital Flyers feature allows dispensary text marketing messages to include cannabis terminology hidden behind a pin-gated link.

![Meadow's text marketing and CRM platform has been upgraded comply with 10DLC requirements](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/7HYoZdq0caUluNipPWfonZ/1a24ad3c1cabbb07ee43aaf9101612da/what_we_built_for_2023__2_.png)

### 5. __Delivery Zone Tax Settings and Fees__

Cannabis delivery is a great service to offer customers, but it can be hard to manage all the different tax rates and maintain your margin when traveling large distances to deliver orders. Not being able to charge a delivery fee based on the distance can really cut into your bottom line. It can also be time consuming and frustrating to manage your inventory if you don’t have an easy workflow with automatic menu updates.

Meadow's Dynamic Delivery platform makes cannabis delivery easy. With just a few clicks, you can set custom tax rates for each area and decide whether or not you want to include a delivery fee. Plus, [with the new $10k increased trunk limit in California](https://getmeadow.com/blog/california-cannabis-regulatory-changes-delivery-trunk-sizes-increase-to), you should really take advantage of the added flexibility in the amount of products that you're able to deliver. Begin offering Dynamic Delivery and watch your business grow. 

__Plus: Quality of Life Update:__ Improve your back office and order fulfillment workflow with newly improved tickets. Delivery receipts are generated to quickly pack orders before you hit the road creating one less stop between you and the customer. New receipts contain product details, customer contact information, and the delivery address to make life easier for packing, dispatchers and drivers. 

![title](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/5heBrKRaulh9xrlZVuRSpE/7c086058a09f1c4b9730d8824c7706c8/6.png)

### 6. __Offer Weedmaps listings based on Inventory Location. Plus: Weedmaps Orders Integration__ 

Managing incoming orders and updating menus across multiple platforms is time consuming and can be difficult to keep up with. You're likely spending hours every week updating menus on different websites, and directories like Weedmaps. This process is tedious and prone to mistakes.

Meadow's cannabis point of sale software offers an orders integration with Weedmaps that will automate this process for you. With just one click in Meadow, all your updates will automatically be sent live to Weedmaps and all your other connected platforms. This saves you time and ensures accuracy across all your platforms. As an expansion to [Dynamic Delivery](https://getmeadow.com/features/cannabis-delivery) and order pick-up functionality, Meadow now allows you to connect multiple Weedmaps menus to specific inventory locations, vehicles or delivery zones. Once a customer places an order in Weedmaps, you will be able to manage and fulfill it directly in Meadow.

This enhanced [integration with Weedmaps](https://getmeadow.com/integrations) is designed to save you hundreds of hours in manual menu updates. When products are re-stocked or sold out, or there is a price change or special, it will automatically be reflected across all your menus, giving your customers the most up-to-date selection of products, prices, descriptions, and photos.

![title](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/1TrXDyB5oUfO4wWp98pos6/453ea5595d4f5e3d741583add73e9b7e/2.png)

### 7. __ COMING SOON: Custom E-Commerce Menus__

Our new and improved e-commerce menus are coming soon to dispensary websites near you! Easily embed Meadow’s mobile-friendly iframe menu to your own website with a single line of code, allowing customers to quickly and easily order cannabis online for pick-up or delivery. With an improved cart, better search, more filtering, more collections of products and the ability to customize colors and layouts, it’s never been easier to sell more cannabis. This overhauled menu now features:

![title](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/KD7uhL9OKuzTKOwTQg14P/9d22068db1fa9e3dbccad2a1b43274b7/embedded-menu-v2-preview__1__pdf.png)

![title](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/YEvkx0v7PuCgSZuprrj4a/16623895ebd63e6c34754c120d99a1d3/7.png)

## Plus: Dozens of other quality of life upgrades, while maintaining [99.99% uptime](https://www.meadowstatus.com/), including: 

- __Improved reporting suite:__ Recent report updates include more product and sales data like Weedmaps verification status and embedded menu status so you can __quickly audit__ your online menus. More updates include promo code, line item discount, and sales price data for discount reporting. 
- __Improved customer check-in:__ The front desk is your front line. Meadow now makes it easy to reconcile customer inaccuracies, merge profiles, add referral sources to better track marketing efforts, and more. First time customers now appear with a badge, so your budtenders know to give them a warm welcome and make a great first impression at your shop. 
- __Improved cycle count functionality for accurate inventory:__ We continued to streamline the process of counting your inventory and reconciling inventory discrepancies with ease and accuracy. With this functionality and Meadow's unmatched Metrc integration, you don't have to worry about staying compliant. 

There's a reason why dispensaries give us [5 stars on G2](https://www.g2.com/products/meadow-meadow/reviews): 

![title](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/6XHT0LjxfrVNL8J65egJve/13f5d577b16c94d9a76d579dd809d44f/Screenshot_2023-01-09_at_6.08.36_PM.png)

### Since 2014, Meadow has processed more than $2 billion of cannabis sales, 31 million cannabis retail orders & 5 million delivery orders.

We continue to proactively make Meadow's all-in-one POS system better, based on feedback from the 200+ cannabis retail operators we support.

Book a call to learn more about Meadow by completing the short form below.


Cannabis delivery and retail compliance software Meadow releases updates throughout the year to improve our dispensary management system based on partner feedback

Marijuana Software Company Meadow 

Read more about the biggest improvements and most recent product upgrades to our point of sale platform in the last year

Building the Best Dispensary POS: New Tools & Features for 2023

Dispensary inventory management software system Meadow can help you run your retail business more efficiently.

Cannabis Retail Inventory Management 

There are two types of dispensary shoppers: those who want to try something new, and those who want the same products every visit. As a dispensary manager, you want to balance your product menu to appease both types of consumers. That might mean you will need to take risks by purchasing products that are rather expensive, new, or on sale to make a better margin. How you manage that inventory will have a direct affect on your business. 

__Sell More with The Most Powerful Cannabis POS System:__ Meadow’s all-in-one platform allows you to automate discounts, offer promo codes, and create sale prices advertised within your online menu. All menus (in-store, online, delivery, pick-up, Weedmaps, and Leafly) automatically update in real-time when a product is sold, re-stocked, or re-priced, so your inventory is always up to date, everywhere customers are searching. 
Read More: [Dispensary Inventory Management](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/dispensary-inventory-management) 

Dispensary inventory is the most important asset to your company. Without proper inventory management, retail businesses would not be able to function. These products can be expensive and sometimes companies find themselves with too much inventory on hand. When this happens, they may need to discount products in order to get rid of it and free up cash flow. But how do you know when to discount your inventory, and how do you do it in a way that won't hurt your bottom line?

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There are a few different circumstances in which you may need to discount your inventory. The first is if you have outdated, expiring products that you need to get rid of in order to make room for new SKUs. Second, you may need to discount your inventory if you're trying to clear it out before the end of the season. And third, you may need to discount your inventory if sales are slow and you're trying to boost them by offering discounts.

Knowing when to offer discounts on your inventory is only half the battle; you also need to know how to offer those discounts in a way that won't eat into your profits too much. The key is to offer strategic discounts that target specific items or groups of items, rather than offering across-the-board discounts that apply to everything in your inventory. For example, if you're trying to get rid of outdated items, offer a discount specifically on those items rather than offering a general percentage off all items in your store. And if sales are slow, target the items that aren't selling as well with deeper discounts in order to move them off the shelves quickly. By taking a targeted approach to discounts, you can minimize the impact on your bottom line while still getting rid of excess inventory.

## When to discount your inventory: 
1. __You have excess inventory:__ A common industry mistake is purchasing too much inventory to achieve a bulk order discount. Vendors will approach you with pricing structures that entice you to purchase more to get a percentage off the entire order. Before signing off on a deal like this, make sure you can move the product. To do this, purchase a small batch and track velocity.
2. __The quality of the product is deteriorating:__ Cannabis shoppers will not want to buy products that are expiring or old unless they are on sale. How can you identify this? If it’s flower you’re sitting on, how long is the shelf life? Most flower shoppers will not purchase flower that exceed a few months after the package date. If it’s an edible or tincture, when is the expiration date? You will find this on the product’s packaging. Consider the product’s shelf price. Is the value of the product lower than what you’re selling it for? These factors should help you decide how urgently you should sell through this inventory.

__Meadow’s point of sale system makes it easy to track product expiration dates.__ Expiration dates can be entered when the product is received or anytime thereafter. Run a report or filter the packages tab within Meadow Admin to track product expiration dates. Read more: [FIFO: The Importance of This Dispensary Inventory Management Best Practice](https://getmeadow.com/blog/fifo-the-importance-of-this-dispensary-inventory-management-best-practice)

3. __The season is ending:__ Summer hits like cannabis infused beverages and holiday packaging will go out of style as the seasons change. If you still have this inventory on your shelves, it’s time to put it on sale.
4. __Sales are down:__ To promote sales, marketing lower prices will entice shoppers to stop by and purchase from your store. You can do this by advertising a deal day. How you advertise this is important, too. Read more about [Cannabis Marketing](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/cannabis-marketing)

## What to keep in mind while discounting your inventory:

- __Consider your margins:__ How much profit are you looking to make on each sale? For cannabis dispensaries, your COGS would include the cost of labor and any materials used in the service. Once you know your COGS, you can calculate your margin by subtracting it from the selling price of the product or service. Let's say your product has a COGS of $5 and you're selling it for $10. Your margin would be 50%. So, if you're thinking about discounting your product by 10%, then you know that you'll still be making a 40% margin on each sale. However, if you're thinking about discounting your product by 20%, then you know that you'll only be making a 30% margin on each sale. Therefore, it's important to consider how much discounting will impact your bottom line before making any decisions.
- __Know when you can afford it:__ Discounts can be a great way to drive sales and boost cash flow but they can also eat into your profits if not done correctly. That's why it's important to know when YOU can afford it. If done strategically, discounts can help increase revenues without sacrificing too much profit margin but if done haphazardly, discounts can quickly eat into profits.
- __Know when your customers expect it:__ In addition to knowing when YOU can afford it, it's also important to know when YOUR CUSTOMERS expect it. If customers only purchase from you when they receive a discount, then eventually they will come to expect discounted pricing all the time which will erode margins and/or put a strain on cash flow. In addition, if customers only purchase from you when they receive a discount, then eventually they will stop buying from you altogether once they realize that there are other businesses out there that are willing to offer them what they want at a price point that makes sense for them (i.e., not discounted). Therefore, it's important not to offer discounts too often as this could ultimately hurt your business in the long run.

## How Meadow can help:
- __Record and review product expiration dates with Meadow:__ You can enter an expiration date on the package level during the purchase order process in Meadow. You can also go back at any time to add an expiration date to a package after it’s been received into your inventory. Once you’ve added expiration dates to your Metrc inventory, you have two options to manage that data. You can seamlessly view upcoming expiration dates within Meadow Admin, or download an Excel spreadsheet to review this data. 
- __Analytics and reporting:__ Meadow's powerful Insights tools crunch the numbers to show you data you can use on sales, products and customers over time. If you’d like to review sales data for your business, you can do so in Meadow Admin using the populated graphs, or download Excel spreadsheets to review that data in depth. These charts, graphs and tables make it easy to find popular products, number of active daily customers, order totals, and at-a-glance sales numbers for the day, week, month and year. Dive into your sales data to ensure you are making the best decisions for your business without impacting your bottom line. Read more: [How Dispensaries Can Turn Data into More Revenue ](https://getmeadow.com/blog/how-dispensaries-can-turn-data-into-more-revenue)
- __Easily see what you’re selling, in which sales channels, how quickly, and to who.__ With real-time accuracy and pre-built dashboards, Meadow's detailed, exportable reports give you the data you need to plan your inventory, manage staffing needs, simplify tax collection and remittance, and see what's happening in all facets of your cannabis retail operation. Check-out the [Key Features of Meadow's Robust Reporting and Analytics System. ](https://getmeadow.com/features/analytics-and-reporting)
- __Automate and cap discounts:__ Meadow’s cannabis point of sale software allows you to create and automate discounts by day of the week, time of day, brand, category, and product/option. Once created in Admin, these discounts will automatically apply to your online menu and at point-of-sale. Set it and forget it with Meadow’s automated discount functionality. 

Read More: [5 Tips for Cannabis Retail Forecasting & Smart Inventory Buying](https://getmeadow.com/blog/5-tips-for-cannabis-retail-forecasting-and-smart-inventory-buying)


Understand when to discount your inventory with guidance from your cannabis POS system.

Manage your inventory with Meadow POS 

Learn about the best times to mark down inventory, things to consider when making discounts, and how Meadow can assist you with this process.

When to Discount Your Inventory

Send targeted cannabis text marketing campaigns using Meadow's all-in-one platform.

Cannabis Text Marketing 

Customer retention should be a pillar of your business model in the cannabis retail space. It is more cost effective to grow and maintain a relationship with an existing customer than to acquire new ones. Investing in smarter cannabis marketing strategies today will generate sales tomorrow. As soon as a customer enters your store, new or returning, Meadow will provide all the tools you’ll need to help you understand why they came in, what they purchased, and how to win them back. All of that data, which is private to your store, can be used to drive repeat purchases, larger basket sizes, and increase lifetime customer value. How can your store manager keep that marketing cost down? It’s easy with Meadow’s all-in-one system.

> Dispensaries need tools to select which customers they want to talk to in order to send relevant messages and promotions

“Marketing is not one-size-fits-all, especially in cannabis" David Hua, CEO and co-founder of Meadow, said in a released statement. “Let brand-loyal customers know when their favorite brands release new strains, products, blends or flavors. Tell customers about new hours or delivery and pick-up options. Send reengagement offers to customers who have dropped off. Let members of your loyalty program know when they have points to cash in and include their point balance. Tip-off VIPs when a limited-edition strain becomes available and give them first dibs. This is the level of delight and sophistication that has been missing from cannabis marketing, and we’re very excited to debut it to dispensaries across California.”
[Read the Article in TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/20/meadow-launches-a-powerful-mobile-marketing-tool-for-cannabis-dispensaries/)

---

<sidebar padding="no"> ![Cannabis Marketing](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/4cSXrboFQXvcKrSTuxGzDG/e219d53c68d32c11e14ea3be2df297e8/Untitled_design.png) </sidebar> When you use Meadow’s Marketing platform, you have access to a wide range of tools that can be used to contact your existing customers. Meadow offers the ability to segment your customer base through hundreds of combinations of conditions, or easily send a text message to every customer who has opted in. There are benefits of both, but sending a message to all customers will cost you the most. If you need to be conscious of your marketing budget, let’s discuss the most successful ways to spend the least at campaign level for the greatest return. Put your customer data to work and take the guessing out of your marketing strategies with the following tips:

## 5 smart ways you can segment your customer base using Meadow’s cannabis marketing tool:
1. __Send a message to customers who have ordered more than once or twice: __ Avoid the tourists who stopped by once to reduce the cost of your campaign. Remove the customers who came by but didn’t purchase to really focus on those who have committed to purchasing at your retail store. 
2. __Celebrate your VIP customers with a special deal:__  How do you define VIP? Do you already have a customer group at your store? Do VIPs spend an average of $200? Have they visited more than 10 times? It’s entirely up to you, but Meadow can help you target those customers by setting those conditions to “Matching Any” or “Matching All.” Every example there can be easily coordinated using Meadow’s text marketing tool.  [Read more about Meadow's Dispensary Loyalty Program.](https://getmeadow.com/blog/how-to-take-better-care-of-your-vip-dispensary-customers)
3. __Announce a new product drop:__ The last thing you want to do is waste money by promoting a cartridge deal to those who only shop for flower! Target customers who have purchased from a category, a brand, or even a specific product from your inventory with a promotion that they’re actually interested in.
4. __Send a message to only Veterans on Veterans day for special deals:__ If you have a promotion tied to a typical customer group, like Veterans, contact them directly instead of all customers to keep costs down and thank only veterans for their service.
5. __If you don’t see a condition that works for you, create your own!__ Meadow’s reports are robust with information — and all that you need is the customer ID. For example, download the Customer Export or Orders report from Meadow Admin, filter down to exactly who you want to target. Copy and paste a unique list of customer IDs into a campaign. Send away! This only takes a few clicks and we know our partners can be very creative with their promotions. 

<figure>
<video-player url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch7jbMibzS0"></video-player>
<figcaption>Here's a quick video to show you how easy it is to create these segments. This video is a snippet of a recent Holiday Marketing webinar hosted by Meadow's Partner Success Team. </figcaption>
</figure>

## The best canabis marketing is personalized

The options for targeting are endless, and your marketing team can contact many customers in a matter of minutes. Consider using additional features in the Meadow Marketing tool belt to personalize your campaign:

- __Loyalty Point Balance:__ Send a personalized, exact loyalty point balance update to the customer who receives the text. By inserting this variable, all customers in the campaign will be updated with how many loyalty points they have. You can even segment the campaign based on loyalty point balances to only reach customers who have enough to redeem, or almost enough to remind them to come in and shop to accrue more. If you've spent the time developing a dispensary loyalty program, be sure to advertise it! [Read more about Meadow's Dispensary Loyalty Program.](https://getmeadow.com/blog/how-to-take-better-care-of-your-vip-dispensary-customers)
- __ROI & Promo Codes:__ Insert a unique promo code only associated with your marketing campaign. By inserting this variable, not only will you see 1-7 day revenue, but you can also track promo revenue. The sales this unique promo code is included on will be contributed to a trackable ROI from sending this campaign.
- __Digital Flyers:__ It’s no secret that carriers are not a fan of cannabis text marketing. With the Digital Flyer feature included in Meadow’s text marketing platform, you have the ability to include a private link in your campaign that a customer can open. Once opened, a PIN will auto-fill, and a message will be revealed that can include as much cannabis terminology you’d like. This work around allows cannabis businesses to say what they need to say to drive sales, without being filtered by carriers.

<sidebar padding="no" side="right"> ![Review text marketing campaign results and ROI with Meadow's Analytics](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/3Tn0933fn90JkO8VtSVyPM/53de9165e3d6cc2ae228f02bdf01b534/Meadow_Text_Marketing_Guide__April_2022__1_.png) </sidebar>

---

__Then, review performance with analytics:__ Every campaign can be tracked in the Marketing tab of Meadow Admin. See how many people received the text then shopped at your store. Monitor opt-outs and adjust your marketing strategy accordingly. Compare successful campaigns to those that need more work to grow your marketing strategies.

It’s so important to maintain that returning customer and continue to build your relationship. They should be rewarded for being loyal to your store. __There’s a reason they’re coming back.__ If it’s your product, remind them it’s back in stock. If it’s your customer service, provide informational updates so they can know when changes are coming. Customers appreciate being in the know so their routines aren’t affected. __Now that you have the opportunity to talk directly to your customers, you can bring in more revenue, and give them more information on what’s happening.__ Meadow will support you with promo codes, automated discounts, loyalty rewards; just a few clicks away. 

Learn more about [cannnabis marketing](https://getmeadow.com/blog/tags/cannabis-marketing) with Meadow. 


Spend your marketing budget wisely by sending targeted text message campaigns using Meadow's all-in-one POS system

Cannabis Text marketing 

Read strategies to reduce your marketing spend while maximizing the reward.

The Power of Marketing Segments

Best dispensary point of sale system Meadow offers reporting capabilities that can be used to track sales data.

Use Meadow Reports to conduct sales competitions at your retail store

Want to empower your budtenders to sell more? 

With Meadow reports, it’s easy to see the data on which of your employees deserves recognition, and which need more training. 

The most successful cannabis retail dispensaries have multiple strategies in place to get products moving, from cannabis marketing to SEO improvements to collaborations and campaigns with brands. 

Sales competitions are a great technique to motivate and empower budtenders  to move products more quickly, whether you want to move units nearing their expiration date or are trying to push products with the largest gross profit margin. Consider working with vendors who will reward your team for selling their products.

These competitions are easy to track using[ Meadow’s reporting and analytics capabilities](https://getmeadow.com/features/analytics-and-reporting).  In this video, we will focus on the Orders report Product’s tab pivot table. Still learning how to master Excel? Check out this video to learn everything you need to know about the Orders report Products tab downloaded from Meadow Admin.

<figure>
  <video-player url="https://youtu.be/goBs6tJMgQc" width="560" height="315"></video-player>
  <figcaption>Boost product sales at your cannabis retail store by curating a sales competition. Learn how to use Meadow's reporting capabilities to track the results.</figcaption>
</figure>

### Not sure how to use a Pivot Table?
Pivot tables are an interactive way to summarize large amounts of information. With only a few clicks, you can see what budtender sold the most brand products. Meadow reports can be expanded to include a lot of information or consolidated to see only what you need. You can analyze all of the data but you can consolidate it to view only what is important to you. Pivot tables can be intimidating at first glance, but after learning how to navigate through them and understanding what rows, values, columns and filters are, you can create a custom view tailored to your needs. 

### Additional Sales Competition Tips:
- Make it fun with a prize
- Involve your employees in planning; give them a few options for challenges then let them pick
- Create a leaderboard
- Involve brands
- Provide daily or weekly updates.

Budtenders are the core of your business. The way your staff conducts transactions at the point of sale station has a direct influence on your business. Having a comprehensive understanding of what products they are selling is imperative. If budtenders find certain products difficult to sell, a little competition and education can go a long way to create an interesting, fun work environment. Brands can offer cash or product rewards. Rewards can be nominal; they do not have to be expensive. Consider what motivates your employees and adjust accordingly. Happy staff will perform better at your dispensary, creating longevity in their employment. 

Read More: [How to Boost Basket Sizes at Your Dispensary](https://getmeadow.com/blog/sell-more-cannabis-how-to-boost-basket-sizes-at-your-dispensary "Sell More Cannabis: How to Boost Basket Sizes at Your Dispensary Blog Post")


Dispensary in Los Angeles powered by Meadow

Interesting work environments increase staff performance and employment longevity 

Fire up your sales with a budtender challenge and track the results using Meadow Reports

Posts by Lauren Sutton

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Building the Best Dispensary POS: New Tools & Features for 2023

When to Discount Your Inventory

The Power of Marketing Segments

Create Sales Contests and Track Results using Meadow Reports

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