Cannabis Dispensary Design Tips
So, you’ve successfully completed your cannabis business application and you've been approved for a cannabis license. You're ready to open your dispensary. This is a huge first step. You can’t move forward in legal markets without a license. But now that you’re ready to open up a dispensary, there’s a set of guidelines that you need to follow in order to be successful– and legally compliant.
6 Tips for a Successful Dispensary Design
Compliance
Regulatory compliance is the most important piece of designing a dispensary. Following your local guidelines will ensure that everything in your space is in legal standing. We’ve mentioned some of the guidelines in another post. Simply stated, there are various state and municipal requirements for layout, displays, safety, and security. Something as simple as displaying your product where it’s seen from the street can be a major strike against you. Working with a qualified and experienced interior designer with cannabis dispensary design experience is your first step towards remaining fully compliant. Flex Design Studio can help you in the development stage to avoid any retailer challenges that you might encounter.
Customer Flow
Customer flow is another crucial aspect in designing your dispensary. A well-planned layout will guide the customer experience from entry to exit. That means having proper display cases, kiosks, ATM’s, knowledgeable staff, and proper checkout counters so that your customers can have a positive memorable experience. During this process, incorporating elements of your brand can help you have repeat customers. It’s important to remember that each display case can work with your design so that customers can easily see cannabis products and accessories. Clear signage highlights products and sections for easier access. Again, having well-thought displays is a way to guide customers towards products they might’ve otherwise overlooked. POS displays near the checkout counter are another great tip towards keeping lines down while also upselling some items that customers might have overlooked.
Display Cases
You’ll see a common thread about proper display cases being vital for your dispensary design. Display cases offer security, quality control, customer flow, and safety. They’re also an opportunity for branding and for upselling. We have a post about the different elements that go into choosing a dispensary display case. Once again, be sure to check with the proper division in charge of your state’s cannabis requirements so you can be confident that you’re following the regulations.
Security
Security measures protect your customers, employees, product, and profit. An experienced dispensary design firm will understand what the best locations for cameras are so that every entrance and exit of your store is protected. They’ll also know the best layout that can help to keep your products protected. Having security workers at the entrance of your dispensary not only offers a level of safety, but it also will help to check things like Driver License so that you’re in compliance with age restrictions. For medical dispensaries, security will check to see if each patron has their proper Medical Card. Making sure the Secured Storage Vault is designed based on state regulations is not only important for compliance, but also for the safety of your employees and your product.
Branding
Your brand identity is more than just the products that you sell. Your brand is part of the experience that your customers are going to remember. Well-placed logos and custom graphics that match your interior design to your company’s branding elements will improve your customer’s experience. Having a receptionist or friendly staff member in the entrance to receive customers sets the tone for a friendly-environment. A great layout considers more than just your logo. It’s created with customer experience in mind and understanding your staffing needs so that they can offer a world-class experience. It starts at the first point of entry and continues throughout the store. An experienced interior designer will intuitively know the best branding solutions for your company and creative opportunities to grow your business.
A Great Design
This list wouldn’t be complete without putting all of the above elements together into a fantastic design! You might have an idea of what you want to accomplish, but might feel overwhelmed having to think about security and compliance. Flex Design Studio offers live 3D renderings of layouts and designs, so you’re able to make changes in real-time. This means you can see changes to virtually any part of your design without having to wait until it’s finished. Live 3D renderings will allow you to change moldings, colors, even flooring while still in the initial drawing phase. With this extra layer of layout optimization, you can be sure to have a functional and stylish design while avoiding potentially expensive construction mistakes. These changes can be implemented in early development stages.
A great dispensary design can also include other elements not listed here. Using eco-friendly materials wherever possible can help to set the tone for a sustainable design. Forward-looking designers understand the importance of sustainability within the cannabis industry. Keeping sustainability in mind when designing your dispensary can also lead to better community engagement. Customer loyalty programs can be incorporated to encourage return customers. Understanding dispensary branding, having a functional website, and building an online presence is an important part of launching.
Adaptive reuse architecture is a common method for designing a dispensary. Many weed dispensaries are designed out of existing structures that become repurposed for another business. Historic preservation is a growing trend in the cannabis retail industry. Designs are implemented to create a dazzling space without compromising any of the architectural integrity. These designs add a layer of authenticity and allow creative craftsmanship to design a stunning design. As always, check to make sure building codes and zoning regulations are in good standing and comply with the specific requirements for your local ordinance.
If you’re looking for help with designing your dispensary, our team is here to help.
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