In a competitive industry like cannabis, first impressions matter. From the moment a customer walks into your store to the moment they walk out, the design of your dispensary can shape the kind of experience they have.
What goes into dispensary design? Just about everything that influences the way your dispensary looks — the flow of the layout, your product display, and even finer details like wall color and furniture.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the best practices for creating a dispensary layout plan, including some design tips to bring customers through the door and keep them coming back.
Best Practices for Designing a Dispensary
A dispensary might be selling cannabis and hemp products, but it’s still a part of the retail market. So while some of the strategies may be different, the core of dispensary design is the same: The psychology of sales. The right kind of layout choices can engage customers and inspire them to make a purchase.
With that in mind, here are some of the best practices for building a dispensary design plan.
Be Intentional
There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to handle design, but your choices should be executed thoughtfully.
Consider a few key questions: How can customers move through the store the most efficiently? How do you want people to feel when they walk inside?
Consider Customer Flow
As competition in the cannabis industry becomes more and more fierce, customer experience is more important than ever.
Think about how your dispensary layout plan can create a safe and efficient flow throughout the store. Identify areas that could become congested — check-in desks, cash registers, etc. — and make sure there’s enough seating or space to accommodate foot traffic.
Customize to Be On Brand
The best dispensaries are ones that build a design based on their brand identity. These stores have layout and design choices that are intentionally crafted to create a distinct atmosphere and character.
Everything from lighting to music to the texture of surfaces can play into a brand identity. Think about what you want to emulate — for example, a high-end, luxury dispensary or an authentic, eco-friendly dispensary.
Make the Most of Technology
Now that the cannabis industry is booming, customers are expecting more from the in-person shopping experience. That includes upgraded technology.
These days, dispensaries are using anything from touchscreen payment tablets to self-service kiosks to elevate the way customers shop. The right tools can make it faster and easier to find and buy the right product.
Expert Dispensary Design Tips
The right design choices stimulate the senses and encourage purchases, leaving a lasting positive impression long after customers walk out the door. But how do you make your design pop?
Here are some expert dispensary design ideas and tips:
- Make sure your entrance is open and uncluttered, creating a welcoming invitation for customers to explore further
- If you expect high foot traffic, make sure to build an open floor plan to keep customers comfortable while they browse
- Create a color palette for your dispensary with two or three distinct brand colors and stick to them throughout
- Focus on building colorful displays — with your most popular items at the front — to draw the eye
- Place wall units and glass cabinet displays to offer the best visibility of your merchandise
- Rotate your merchandise in the display every few weeks to keep returning customers engaged
Each dispensary will benefit from a different style of design. Look for inspiration in the dispensaries around you and try to craft something that suits your unique brand. If something isn’t working, experiment until you feel like you have something cohesive, strong, and appealing.
It’s also important to remember that design isn’t easy. If your dispensary design just isn’t clicking, you can always hire a professional to help you craft a layout and design that brings in powerful results.
Applying the Best Dispensary Design Standards
The layout and design of your dispensary offer more than just an aesthetic for your store. They can directly affect your bottom line.
As more and more competitors are opening their doors, you don’t have time to waste getting your design right. You need a cohesive and powerful brand that makes an impact. At HIGHOPES, we specialize in creating customized branding and design solutions to help you stand out in the cannabis industry. Learn more about our branding services or contact us today to see what we can do for your dispensary.
