Craft Cannabis: How Premium Products Build Loyalty, Raise Profits, and Set Your Store Apart
In today’s crowded cannabis landscape, standing out is essential. As price wars continue and menus grow repetitive, savvy retailers are turning to a product category that offers more than just THC: craft cannabis. With roots in small-batch production, artisanal care, and compelling storytelling, craft cannabis gives you a reason to charge more, engage more deeply with customers, and build a truly differentiated brand.
This blog walks you through the business case for carrying craft SKUs, how to promote them effectively with digital signage, and how to stay compliant while building loyalty in 2025. Let’s dive in.
Benefits Of Craft Cannabis
Craft cannabis has become a more sought out product by shoppers looking for more value which speaks to its benefits. No longer a niche product, it’s now one of the most impactful categories for driving brand equity, customer engagement, and profit margins. In 2025, it represents a strategic opportunity for dispensaries that want to grow beyond volume sales.
Some positives for carrying craft products:
It draws curious and loyal shoppers with its exclusivity and authenticity.
Micro-cultivators are more accessible thanks to expanded licensing and local support.
Shoppers are trading up, even in budget-conscious markets, when quality is clearly communicated.
These reasons alone justify carving out space for craft cannabis in your store but what really sets it apart is how it transforms the economics of each sale.
Craft Cannabis: Driving Bigger Baskets
Carrying craft cannabis is more than simply chasing trends, it’s about unlocking higher-value transactions from the shoppers entering your store. Customers who buy premium products don’t just browse differently, they shop differently, with purpose, confidence, and willingness to spend more.
Value you get from craft:
Shoppers spend more: Higher priced products such as craft SKUs increase average order value and deliver more value to customers who are ready to spend the money.
Budtenders can upsell more easily: Craft buyers are open to accessories and add-ons since they’re already buying something premium.
Customers return: When expectations are met or exceeded, loyalty builds fast allowing customers to return for more.
But what really fuels these results is the story behind the products because craft cannabis is about more than flower. It's about people, passion, and purpose. This gives a great story you can use to create connections with shoppers.
Storytelling Sells: Bring Craft to Life
Craft cannabis thrives on connection. When customers know who grew their flower and why it’s special, it deepens trust and drives repeat business. Storytelling gives meaning to the premium price tag.
Storytelling tactics to consider:
Introduce growers through signage, video, or shelf displays.
Highlight sustainability or community ownership to align with shoppers’ values.
Feature rare strains and growing methods to spark curiosity.
Get budtenders involved so they can pass along the passion.
And while these stories can be told face-to-face, the real power comes from scaling that storytelling through your store environment, especially with smart, dynamic displays.
Explore how Budvue supports storytelling at scale
Digital Signage: The Secret Weapon for Selling
Once you’ve brought in premium SKUs, the next step is ensuring they get the attention they deserve. Digital signage lets you tell grower stories and product details in real-time, without relying solely on your staff.
Strategies you can use:
Spotlight growers with video loops or on-screen bio slides you can request from them.
Create urgency with real-time drop countdown slides and low-inventory flags on menus.
Display tasting notes and terpene profiles to educate customers on the spot about new products.
Use QR codes to link shoppers to lab results, batch info, or behind-the-scenes footage from the growers.
Digital signage boosts awareness and supports compliance by adding polish to your store’s atmosphere.
Staying Compliant While Marketing Craft Cannabis
Marketing cannabis, especially premium SKUs, requires careful attention to local regulations. The good news? Educational and factual messaging is allowed in both Canada and many U.S. states, if executed properly.
Considerations:
Use only factual language like “hand-trimmed” or “small batch.”
Avoid glamorized or lifestyle-driven messaging that could appeal to youth.
Restrict screen visibility from exterior windows in Canada.
Lean into education rather than hype, data, sourcing, and process win here.
With compliance locked in, you can confidently elevate your premium products and build a merchandising strategy that turns value into volume without compromising your legal standing.
Need a refresher? Check out our post on cannabis marketing compliance.
Final Take: Craft Cannabis Is Boutique and Profitable
In the end, craft cannabis is more than a premium SKU, it’s a powerful business strategy. Whether you're looking to boost margins, build a more loyal customer base, or position your store as a thought leader, craft gives you the tools to do it all.
Here’s what craft cannabis offers you:
Increase average transaction values with quality-focused shoppers.
Create an engaging in-store experience that feels elevated and curated.
Foster loyalty and word-of-mouth through authentic product storytelling.
Build brand distinction that sets you apart from discount-heavy competitors.
The final step? Ensuring your store experience brings all of these benefits to life and that’s where Budvue can help.
Questions
How do I know which craft brands to feature in-store?
Look for micro-licensed producers that prioritize hand-trimming, hang-drying, and small-batch cultivation. Brands with strong backstories like legacy growers, Indigenous-owned operations, or sustainability-driven farms resonate most with craft shoppers. Our digital menu system makes it easy to highlight these attributes and keep selections fresh.
What’s the best way to introduce new craft drops to customers?
Build hype around new craft SKUs with rotating digital features that show up on Promo TVs and menus. Highlight what’s unique, genetics, grower, method and add messaging like “limited run” or “just dropped.” Adding QR codes linking to more info or producer content can also increase engagement without adding staff workload.
Is Budvue only useful for craft products, or can I use it for my whole menu?
Budvue is built for your entire dispensary experience—craft, value, edibles, accessories, and more. Our system lets you create featured zones for craft while still maintaining a full menu display. You can even use Promo TVs to highlight bundle offers, loyalty programs, or education campaigns alongside your premium flower.
Let Budvue Help You Elevate Your Craft Game
Your premium products deserve more than shelf space, they deserve the spotlight. Budvue’s digital signage platform gives you the tools to showcase craft SKUs beautifully and compliantly, from grower features to terpene charts and exclusive product drops.
Want more inspiration? Read our latest blog on how to use bundled offers to sell more products.
Ready to build a retail experience that matches the quality of your products? Book a Budvue demo today, and let’s turn your craft inventory into ROI that lasts.