The future of cannabis retail: emerging technologies and trends
As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, the top players proactively stay ahead through innovation. Dispensaries will always be met with new challenges, whether they’re from regulatory compliance needs or shifting consumer preferences. Fortunately, well-designed technology can prepare these retailers for just about anything. Technological advancements are key to shaping the future of retail, and as experts in cannabis dispensary POS software, we’re seeing this again and again through new and emerging trends.
As cannabis dispensary software experts, we keep our fingers on the pulse of all things technology and cannabis. To share some of the interesting insights we’ve gathered recently, we teamed up with Ben Burstein of LeafLink for an exclusive webinar. Here are some of the biggest takeaways about the future of cannabis retail.
AI-Generated Product Recommendations
Artificial intelligence is becoming ubiquitous across many industries, and cannabis is no exception. In fact, one report shows that 78% of companies in all industries have adopted some form of AI technology as of 2025. One of the biggest cannabis ecommerce innovations we’ve seen recently is the integration of AI-generated product recommendations.
AI recommendations are especially useful because the cannabis industry is extremely competitive. Product shelves are often lined with many variations of similar product types, making it difficult for consumers to know what they want to purchase. While budtenders can be a good asset for this, they aren’t always equipped with the tools or time to give highly personalized recommendations.
That’s where artificial intelligence comes in. This technology is able to curate a personalized experience for all shoppers based on their purchase histories and preferences. The result is a well-curated list of recommendations that drive more purchases, as consumers can depend on the recommendations to meet their needs.
Considering nearly half of all cannabis shoppers feel overwhelmed by too many choices, personalized recommendations have the potential to redefine the experience for many consumers. The simple act of removing excess choices can change the way customers feel about their experience and encourage them to return again and again.
Smart Dispensary Designs
As more things become automated and customized, consumers expect easy ordering experiences. If they run into friction or issues while ordering from a company, they may quickly decide to move to the next option with an easier system.
In a Future of CX report surveying more than 15,000 consumers, researchers found that one in three people would leave a brand they love after a single bad experience. Another 59% would abandon a company after two or three bad interactions. These stats underscore the importance of curating a positive experience for all customers.
It’s why cannabis dispensary software that allows for a smooth checkout process that’s integrated with in-store operations is so useful. The better the integration of the online ordering process with the in-store experience, the better the overall customer experience will be.
Smart dispensary designs include the use of digital menus, interactive screens, self-service kiosks, and touchless checkout. These technologies allow customers to move at their own pace and create a shopping experience that best fits their needs. The ability for customers to shop at their own pace is crucial for optimal experiences, given 60% of shoppers prefer to browse independently.
Optimized inventory management and real-time updates help both the customer and staff to have a frictionless experience. In turn, dispensaries see more loyalty from customers who know what to expect with each visit.
More Accurate Data Analytics
Even with good cannabis point of sale software, managing store inventory can be a huge hassle. This is especially challenging when so many different points of data aren’t able to integrate with one another. AI is starting to do a lot of the heavy lifting for stores wanting more accurate data analytics, which in turn creates more sales.
Retailers who leverage AI are setting themselves up for greater success. Maintaining optimal inventory levels can be a real challenge and lead retailers to waste shelf space or miss out on potential high-value sales. AI technology can analyze sales velocity and purchasing patterns to automate reordering and maintain proper stock levels.
Many operators now rely on the deep storewide insights that AI can provide. Those who don’t leverage cannabis retail POS with this technology may find themselves over-ordering certain products while under-ordering customers' favorites, leading some shoppers to look elsewhere for products. With AI technology, retailers can improve many of their workflows for better sales and customer experiences.
Final Thoughts
As the world of technology continues to evolve, cannabis retailers can utilize more efficient tools to streamline their operations. This can lead to more sales and better customer satisfaction. Plus, automated processes can improve compliance and reduce manual errors–two key considerations for retailers across the industry.
AI and other new technologies are not going anywhere and can transform the way dispensaries operate through advanced integrations and streamlined workflows. As we move forward, we can expect these integrations to continue to grow, especially across cannabis dispensary point-of-sale services. The demand for AI-driven technologies in cannabis retail will only increase as customers and staff utilize these tools for better experiences and thus more sales.
At Sweed, we take our role as a cannabis POS provider seriously. It’s why we keep up to date with all of the latest technology and integrate services that make the lives of retailers much easier. Check out our products to learn more about what we can do for you.
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Want to learn more about how Sweed can help your dispensary thrive? Reach out to our team today!
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