As the holiday season approaches, consumers across Canada are gearing up for festivities and gift-giving. While traditional retail industries have long capitalized on holiday consumer spending habits, the cannabis market is quickly establishing itself as a key player in this annual economic surge. For cannabis retailers and national brands, recognizing these patterns and taking strategic action in the time leading up to the holidays is crucial.
Understanding Consumer Spending Habits During the Holidays
Holiday Festivities
Cannabis enthusiasts often host holiday celebrations that involve communal consumption – sampling flower, edibles, and concentrates. A substantial 70% of those surveyed in Forbes plan to share their cannabis stash with friends and family, making it a core part of holiday celebrations. The holiday season is, without a doubt, a goldmine for the cannabis industry, where consumers prioritize enjoying their favourite products with their loved ones.
Check out Other People’s Pot’s Garlic Breath Pre-Roll, selected by the Ontario Cannabis Store as the ‘Budtender’s Choice’, it’s perfect for those seeking punchy aromas and tempting flavours (available in Ontario.) Or pass around KushKraft’s Bubble Rosin Blunts, a high-potency infused blunt pre-roll that combines a carefully selected blend of unique terpenes, bubble hash, and live rosin (available for purchase in Ontario in November 2023).
Gifting
Cannabis products are reaching new audiences and fitting comfortably into holiday gifting traditions – stats from Headset indicate that Christmastime sees a week-over-week growth boost of around 15%, with a noticeable increase in total sales just before Christmas. More and more we are seeing stockings stuffed with THC treats, smoking accessories, and intro gifts like infused bath bombs for the canna-curious.
Impress your loved ones with Bud Lafleur’s Citroli Pre-Roll, a sativa-dominant strain with high THC potency and rich terpenes giving super cheesy, woody aromas and a smooth pine taste (available in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta). Or wrap up the must-have smoking accessory of the year, Shatterizer’s BUBBLER – a game-changer in the vaping world.
Seasonal Products
The cannabis industry has embraced the holidays with seasonal product releases. These releases are similar to the way the food and beverage industry introduces limited-edition holiday flavours, driving consumers to spend more on these novel items during this time of the year.
Cannabis Self-Care
The holidays can be a stressful time for many people, and cannabis is often used as a means of relaxation and self-care. As a result, consumers are more inclined to spend on products that help them unwind, whether it’s enjoying an afternoon treat or incorporating CBD or CBN into their routine.
Grab a bite of Big Pete’s Treats’ Cannabis-Infused Chocolate Chip Cookies, an indica-infused sweet made with Pete’s exclusive cannabutter formula and semi-sweet chocolate chips – produced under Loosh Brands (available in Ontario). Or enjoy Wyld’s Elderberry CBN-infused gummies, sustainably made with real fruit, botanical terpenes, natural flavours, and compostable packaging with the cannabinoid widely known to prompt a good night’s sleep. (available in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island).
Why Budtenders and Retailers Should Attend Tether’s Holiday Showcase
Tether, Canada’s Budtender community, recognizes the urgent need to crush the stigma surrounding the plant and is proud to put product directly into the hands of Budtenders and retailers at its upcoming Holiday Showcase so that they are able to relay their experience directly to consumers and serve as a valuable brand advocate.
Attendees will have a unique chance to network, learn about the latest trends shaping the Canadian cannabis market, and engage directly with industry-leading brands. At the heart of this event is trust, as shown in the Freeman Trust Report, where 77% of respondents expressed increased trust in brands after face-to-face interactions at live events. This illustrates the immense value of personal connection and hands-on experience.
For tickets and more information, visit here.
Attendance at Tether’s Holiday Showcase is strictly limited to individuals aged 19+. Pre-registration is required to guarantee your spot.
Sampling opportunities will be reserved exclusively for Budtenders and retailers.