In Las Vegas, Thrive Cannabis Marketplace is expanding its delivery services to maintain retail sales connection with customers who may be hunkering down and socially distancing themselves from crowded spaces during the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S.
Compliance Director Ashley Blackwood says that the company saw a “significant uptick” in delivery orders about halfway through last week, around March 11. When the importance of uninterrupted delivery sales became apparent in these otherwise uncertain times, Thrive began to make plans to expand its service even more broadly in the local community.
“First and foremost, we obviously want to make sure our medical patients are served during this time,” she says. “Those who are elderly or immunocompromised in any way still need safe access to affordable cannabis. A service like Thrive’s delivery is absolutely crucial for them during these times.”
Blackwood says that discounted rates are prompting a lot of those higher sales. The company launched a value menu last week. As Blackwood points out, this measure is meant “to help with people’s financial concerns during this time as they’re trying to stock up on supplies—and there’s some layoffs in the Vegas valley. Affordable cannabis seems to be incredibly popular right now.”
The value menu lists items at $20 (tax included) across all product categories: eighth-ounces of flower, edibles, pre-rolls, concentrates and vapes.
The company also launched its new Hustle & Grow lineup, and both the expanded delivery options and value menu rates are helpful methods to raise awareness among customers that this new brand is available.
As far as the in-store experience, Blackwood says employees have ramped up their cleaning procedures—wiping down shared surfaces and mopping floors more frequently. Those staffers who handle cash are now wearing gloves. “Obviously, if anyone feels uncomfortable coming into work or if they’re immunocompromised in any way we’re allowing them to stay home,” Blackwood says.
And in the short-term, another explicit goal is to keep the shelves stocked as sales continue to rise.
“One thing we have seen more of an uptick in is concentrate sales,” Blackwood says. “I think people are trying to get a little bit more for their money, due to the potency.”