NEW YORK – Seven in ten cannabis consumers find digital tools like online menus, kiosks, and in-store screens essential to the shopping experience, and nearly nine in ten (86 percent) prioritize personalized recommendations when considering which dispensaries to frequent.
That’s according to a cannabis retail survey of American consumers conducted during October.
Green Wednesday remains a key retail moment
The survey’s findings arrived as retailers prepare for Green Wednesday, historically the second-biggest sales day of the year after 4/20. Nearly half (45 percent) of cannabis consumers — representing about 50 million adults — say they plan to stock up or make special trips to dispensaries ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
In 2024, data indicated average Green Wednesday dispensary sales increased by as much as 91 percent compared to a typical Wednesday.
What consumers want from the shopping experience
The survey highlights strong demand for convenience and seamless digital ordering:
- 75 percent of cannabis consumers want the ability to reorder with one click.
- 72 percent want to pre-order online.
- 67 percent say delivery options are essential.
- 76 percent say a budtender’s expertise and advice directly influence what they buy.
The results suggest dispensaries that combine AI-supported digital workflows with knowledgeable staff may gain an edge in customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Promotions continue to drive loyalty and larger baskets
Deals remain one of the strongest drivers of consumer behavior:
- 89 percent return to dispensaries with competitive prices.
- 86 percent say rewards programs motivate repeat visits.
- 77 percent choose dispensaries based on promotions.
- 75 percent increase basket size during sales.
- 79 percent say discounts influence when they shop.
About the survey
The cannabis retail survey, conducted online October 6–10 by Wired Research on behalf of enterprise retail technology platform Sweed, included 955 nationally representative Americans aged at least 21. The margin of error is +/- 3.2 percent.
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