According to our design-build experts at SevenPoint Interiors, these are the top 8 cannabis display case must-knows.
At this stage in the opening of your dispensary, you have your license, space, brand and compliance regulations locked down and you’re ready to engage an interior design and build team to design, fabricate and install your cannabis display cases and sensory display containers. If not, no worries. See our Cannabis Dispensary Design 101 article. The checklists there will expedite your next moves.
If you do have the above sorted, then let’s consider your cannabis display case and sensory display container options. With your customer and product top of mind, of course. Are you serving recreational or medicinal clients? And what do you know about your target market or your local compliance rules? Again, we cover all of this in Cannabis Dispensary Design 101.
Back to your cannabis display cases. Below are the top 8 must-knows before buying your cannabis display cases, advice that comes courtesy of designer-builder and fixture-fabricator SevenPoint Interiors – a one-stop solution for all cannabis retailers.
The 8 Must-Knows Before Buying Cannabis Display Cases
- What do you need the cannabis display cases to do?
- Where will they be placed?
- How should they function?
- Are they easy to merchandise?
- What do you want them to look like?
- Will they require integrated technology?
- How long must the display cases last? And why not to buy online?
- What is your timeline and budget?
1. What do you need the cannabis display case to do?
A cannabis display case that showcases products and one that holds inventory are two different things. And this is where knowing your local compliance rules comes in. For instance, you may not be permitted to display actual products let alone sell them from a fixture. Make sure you are well-versed in the compliance rules before making any cannabis display case purchases.
If you are able to sell products from open displays and fixtures, you need to ask yourself if you want integrated lockable storage. Another consideration, if you are using vitrines (jewellery store-like glass cases), is how you display your product so that it, and its complementary product information, is easily viewable. Consider using visual merchandising displays such as SevenPoint Interiors’ visual merchandising package, which includes product information holders to keep everything organized and readable.
All of the above also depends on your product. If you are offering flower predominantly, you might consider displaying samples in sensory display containers. These allow the customer to see and smell the product – a huge factor in buying. SevenPoint Interiors, a vertically integrated cannabis dispensary design expert, has bespoke sensory display containers, including its table-mountable Aroma Orb, Flower Orb and Capsule 1.0. Lastly, when considering what you need from your cannabis display cases, you should think about flexibility, because packaging and product will change. A great way to manage flexibility is through the use of modular fixtures, such as SevenPoint Interiors’ Module System. This collection of fixtures offers removable and embeddable glass vitrines.
2. Where will your cannabis display cases be placed?
Depending on your dispensary space and the type of product you offer, your fixtures may require specific dimensions and flexible components, for future needs. Height, width and depth of wall-shelving and tabletops should support the space, type and amount of product you plan on showcasing.
This is where you might seek out expert advice from a pro. An interior designer will help position your fixtures so that your customer will navigate your dispensary comfortably and elevate your product assortment. An interior designer will also guide you through the countless cannabis display case options that exist, everything from parts available online to custom solutions.
This can be a multi-step process. Consider hiring just one design pro with fabrication at their fingertips. SevenPoint Interiors exclusively offers such services to cannabis dispensary retailers. Its team consults and strategizes with you to build the optimal space and produce the required fixtures. How? SevenPoint Interiors’ parent company is Visual Elements, a 30-year-old retail fixture manufacturer that outfits such retail greats as Coach, Kate Spade, and Nordstrom. Operating a 100,000 square-foot facility in Woodbridge, Ontario, Visual Elements ensures that SevenPoint’s quality designs are built fast. Not only are fixtures delivered and installed within six to eight weeks, but there are also two routes you can take, depending on your budget. One is to go fully custom; the other is to utilize SevenPoint Interiors’ Module System. This a la cart offering of modular fixtures comes in an array of sizes
3. How should your cannabis display cases function?
Thinking about functionality begins with understanding your local compliance regulations and the type of product you plan to offer. A few considerations here include whether or not your fixtures should have drawers or cabinets, storage spaces, locking capabilities, lighting, castors and cable management. Again, you may benefit from calling upon an interior designer, perhaps one that also manufactures fixtures, such as SevenPoint Interiors.
4. Are your cannabis display cases easy to merchandise?
Accessibility of the fixture should be easy and so should merchandising. Fixtures should also be flexible in design so that various product types can be supported. For instance, should your product sit on a shelf, lay flat or be angled for better visibility? Like your well-organized cutlery drawer at home, cannabis display cases can include integrated shelving and displays to prop the product. SevenPoint Interiors also offers a variety of visual merchandise displays that are adaptable and can work in and on most display cases, tabletops and shelving units resulting in well-organized fixtures.
5. What do you want your cannabis display cases to look like?
It goes without saying that you should tie your fixture aesthetic to your overall interior design. With this in mind, will you opt for wood or metal frames? Would your product look better under a glass top or in an open display? Wall and table units with open shelves and storage cabinets can combine multiple materials and finishes – even textures. Mix and match as you like. Such decisions may lead you to take the custom fixture route. Or maybe choose pre-engineered. SevenPoint Interiors’ ingenious Module System is a great option. Here you pick and choose your fixture modules and your own combination of surface materials, colours and finishes for that custom look. Pre-engineered yes but finished to your individual preference. And still delivered within six weeks.
6. Will your cannabis display cases require integrated technology?
Fixtures that do double or even triple–duty are not just efficient but are also cost-effective and space-saving. Why not have a fixture that acts as both a product display case and digital information kiosk? On top of that, it could be a point of sales (POS) for quick pick-ups, too. This is all doable, keeping the integrated technology and cable management requirements top of mind.
7. How long must the cannabis display cases last? And why not to buy online?
Your speed-to-market timeline and budget are deciding factors when it comes to choosing your cannabis display cases but they should not be the only two. Quality manufacturing, as well as commercial-grade materials and hardware, can mean the difference between short and long-term–usage of your fixtures. Heed this advice from SevenPoint Interiors – items purchased online are short-term solutions at best. Not only is the quality suspect, but these fixtures arrive in plastic and MDF parts for you to put together. If a piece is missing, or the measurements are off, you’re now further behind than ahead. Plus, you’ll likely have to replace everything in a few years.
When judging fixture options, consider the method of construction. How were the drawers constructed, how were the frames put together? Are they welded or mechanically fastened? Welded frames will hold up better and sustain the wear and tear of movement. The need for heavy-duty drawer glides is also important for the sustainability and operations of your fixture – no one wants a drawer bottom to fall out under the weight of inventory. Don’t be afraid to ask how fixtures are constructed – this will save you a lot of aggravation down the road.
8. What is your timeline and budget?
How much time and budget you have are big deciding factors on the cannabis display cases you choose. If you have planned and saved ahead – and you want your fixtures to represent your brand best they can – then you may opt to go the custom route. If you know what you want but time and money are of the essence, looking at pre-engineered systems that allow you to customize finishes and colour is probably the better bet. And the fact that you can customize as you like means that your fixtures will be on brand, making for a well-rounded customer experience. Do check out SevenPoint Interiors’ Module System for your cannabis display case and sensory display container solutions. You’ll see that having a limited budget can still mean getting good design and quality fixtures. Little things, like being able to customize an enduring prefabricated system, make a huge difference. Consult with SevenPoint Interiors to learn more.