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Denver-based cannabis accessories company LuvBuds launched a multiple-part educational series to help budtenders gain confidence and improve sales.
The courses are free and available to anyone in the industry, including budtenders, product buyers, visual merchandisers and store managers, according to Mike Martin, vice president of commercial at LuvBuds.
LuvBuds University courses include Retail 101, Merchandising 101 and SirEEL Brand Course, which educates budtenders about dab rigs, water pipes, chillums, batteries and more.
“We’ve done a nice job combining the ‘blocking and tackling’ of retail with the nuances of the cannabis industry to deliver a ‘how to’ for anyone in the business,” Martin said, adding that those who complete the training sessions are eligible for cash incentives from LuvBuds. “It’s a great Retail 101 approach that is customized for the dispensary worker.”
Best practices for cannabis retail
The No. 1 skill for budtenders and anyone else interacting with consumers is listening, according to LuvBuds University coursework.
Asking about consumers’ level of experience with cannabis and their preferred consumption methods is the first step to offering good service.
“Budtenders who know the products, the categories and the logical upsell and cross selling techniques will be invaluable, but ultimately what sets them apart is their empathy for the customer in the store,” Martin said.
For consumers who enjoy flower, for example, suggesting a grinder or rolling tray can be a great way to increase sales and ensure the consumer feels understood.
Asking customers how they enjoyed previous purchases also helps build relationships and create customer loyalty.
Cannabis store merchandising
For budtenders and others interested in visual merchandising for cannabis retail, the Merchandising 101 course can help individuals learn the basics, such as what consumers should be looking at while waiting in line.
“We hope that our coaching will help all employees take the next level in their careers,” Martin said. “We deliver the necessary ‘how to’ for visually merchandising and selling products. No matter what level of job you are pursuing, you need to know these important basics to advance.”
LuvBuds University encourages retailers to put the most eye-catching displays in high-traffic areas, such as near the entrance and at check-out stations.
Additionally, products should be placed in order of importance, and popular items such as lighters and rolling papers should be within consumers’ reach.
“If you’re selling a $5 pipe like it’s a $50,000 Rolex, behind the glass, customers will not ask for assistance, and they likely won’t even notice the product,” Martin said. “Dispensary owners are way too concerned with theft, which is surprising considering they have record of every person that enters their store.”
Instead, LuvBuds encourages retailers to put impulse items priced at $25 or less at the checkout counter so that consumers can easily add rolling papers and glass pipes to their order during checkout.
“Accessories are impulse buys. Many can be sold for under $25, and it’s a great way to drive average order value up – and accessories don’t have shelf-life concerns like consumables,” Martin said.
To take LuvBuds University courses yourself, click here:
LuvBuds plans to add additional courses, so visit shopluvbuds.com to stay on top of the latest offerings.
