001: Cannabis Dispensary Design
The Best Cannabis Dispensary Interior Design Starts With The Customer
As more states begin to legalize the sale of cannabis products, cannabis dispensary interior design has become a hot topic among a slew of new businesses opening nationwide. For many, buying legal marijuana for the first time is an exciting phenomenon – the first visit is bound to leave a strong impression. New businesses must meet this challenge by providing a novel experience with knowledgeable staff paired with a memorable showroom.
The best cannabis dispensary interior design blends elegance with functionality. People have many questions, and might not know what they are looking for on their first visit. Cannabis dispensary interior design should center around the idea of presentation, both literally (professional, simple design) and figuratively (staff will present goods that meet the needs of their clients.)
In this blog, we highlight everything a person should know when designing a showroom space for cannabis dispensaries – what works for customers, and what turns them away.
Questions to Ask Yourself About Cannabis Dispensary Interior Design
When designing the showroom space of your cannabis dispensary, consider the customer experience first and foremost. Unlike other retail spaces, customers are less likely to browse without making a purchase.
What is the customer’s first impression – does it communicate your brand values?
Are all products visible and displayed in an orderly fashion?
Can customers find what they are looking for?
Does the design provoke conversation that can lead to higher volumes of sales?
Is the design easy for employees and customers to navigate?
Depending on the state you are operating out of, customers may have to wait before entering a showroom space, and may only be able to be served one at a time. If this is the case, make sure that like any waiting room, visitors are comfortable and have access to water and bathrooms.
Aesthetics of Cannabis Dispensary Interior Design
Marijuana’s usage in the United States has led to a plethora of cultural stereotypes around its consumer base. We have come a long way from the Summer of Love and Woodstock – while Grateful Dead fans may still loom on the fringes of our culture, the average consumer is no longer interested in cannabis as a countercultural signifier. Playfully alluding to this history can entice customers, but doubling down on this can alienate a portion of your customer base if they find it intimidating.
While buyers tend to be young, just under 50% of loyalty members are above the age of 40. This means that your design needs to cater to a broad range of customers, with an equally broad range of knowledge and usage about your products. Some may be experienced users who know what they want, others may be specifically seeking it for medical purposes.
Marijuana dispensary interior design at large is leaning toward a clean, sleek interior aesthetic that can be easily navigated and perused by customers. They should be able to easily browse your wares, and have the opportunity to ask questions if they are confused or looking for advice. Rustic and homey interiors still remain popular as a design choice, but if this is the preferred direction, make sure to emphasize functionality first.
Remember: your facilities must convey a friendly user experience, and are a direct extension of your brand. With the legal sale of cannabis being new and many states offering a limited number of licenses, visits to dispensaries are a novel experience that are bound to leave a strong impression – make sure customers have a visit to remember.
Security, Flow, Efficiency
The best marijuana dispensary interior design is intentional. A dispensary should be able to process a constant influx of customers with minimal disruption. To do this, consider these three aspects in your design:
Security – Marijuana is a highly regulated substance – it may require multiple people to process a single order, and needs to be kept under lock and key when the store is closed. Furthermore, dispensaries have been the target of thefts costing owners hundreds of thousands of dollars. Security should be top of mind when designing the layout of a dispensary.
Flow – As many states only allow one customer into the showroom at a time, customers should have enough space to browse, while also being directed throughout the process. Limitations to showroom capacity can create bottlenecks in business, and frustrated customers who wait too long may leave before making a purchase. Proper flow ensures all customer needs are met in a timely manner.
Efficiency – There can be a lot of moving parts in the day-to-day operations of a dispensary. Design efficiency should be centered not only around customers, but streamlining employee operations and providing a healthy work environment as well.
What goes into good cannabis dispensary interior design? At MerJ Architecture, we come with years of experience in architecture centered around cannabis, from dispensaries to grow houses. Contact us today for more information about our services.