The Season of Green 2022

From Our Friends at Surfside

December 15, 2022 | Posted in: E-Commerce

Cannabis Holiday Sales Trends and Strategies

Our friends at Surfside put together this comprehensive guide for cannabis dispensaries going into the holiday season. They looked at Black Friday sales trends, holiday consumer trends, sales data for the months leading into the season, and the impact of “getting together” on cannabis sales. Learn how to activate the audiences that matter with your outreach campaigns and finish Q4 with strong sales!

Around 180 million Americans shopped during Black Friday Weekend 2021*

The holiday season is considered the “Golden Quarter” for many businesses and the cannabis industry is no different. To understand holiday purchase behavior, Surfside analyzed millions of cannabis transactions from October through December 2021, focusing on how consumers purchased last year for Halloween, Green Wednesday, and the weeks leading up to New Year’s Eve.

The Golden Quarter can become a series of sales opportunities similar to 4/20 if you’re prepared. Consumers are in a buying mindset during the holidays — you just have to show them the right offer.

In The Season of Green 2022, you’ll learn:

Sales trends for Halloween, Green Wednesday, and more
The most popular sales days for cannabis consumers
Strategies and tips to plan your next ad campaign

*Source: National Retail Federation

Understanding the Holiday Consumer

Cannabis Holiday Trends At a Glance

In October, consumers prepare ahead of Halloween. During November, they’re more likely to buy on the holidays, specifically on Green Wednesday and Black Friday. By December, consumers are buying the most cannabis they have all year.

The holiday season is focused on sharing experiences and giving gifts. When you reach out to consumers this year, make your ad campaign relevant by personalizing your ads based on what each customer segment wants during the holidays.

IN 2021, CANNABIS HOLIDAY SALES INCREASED BY…

October

+48% Friday of Halloween Weekend

November

+72% Green Wednesday
+62% Black Friday

December

+40% Christmas Eve
+54% New Year’s Eve

*Compared to 2021 Monthly Averages

Cannabis Sales Trends in October

Trick or THC

Last year, Halloween landed on Sunday, October 31. Our data showed that cannabis consumers started to prepare for the holiday by buying on Friday, October 29 and continued to buy all Hall’o’weekend long.

HAUNTINGLY GOOD HALLOWEEN WEEKEND SALES

Friday

+48% Higher Sales

Saturday

+21% Higher Sales

Edibles

+66% on the Friday before Halloween

*Compared to average October 2021 cannabis sales

Cannabis Sales Trends in November

The Get-Together Effect

If Thanksgiving is about getting together with family and friends, Green Wednesday is about getting ready to spend time with them. Cannabis consumers prepare for vacation and long weekends by stocking up on cannabis on Green Wednesday. Others find the best deals on Black Friday. Our data, however, showed a missing link in the cannabis industry: Cyber Monday.

As November approaches, start building a strategy based on how consumers are going to spend their time and what they want from each purchase.

THE CYBER MONDAY OPPORTUNITY

Cannabis sales drop on Cyber Monday. This could be a hidden opportunity for delivery brands.

THANKSGIVING WEEK CANNABIS SALES

Green Wednesday

+72% Higher Sales

Black Friday

+62% Higher Sales

Cyber Monday

-1.86% Sales Decline

*Compared to average November 2021 cannabis sales

Cannabis Sales Trends in December

The Chillest Month

Whether it’s the holiday spirit, a break from work, or extra time to spend with friends and family, December sees the highest cannabis sales of the quarter – December cannabis sales are 10% higher compared to October and November. Consumers might be winding down, but cannabis sales pick up as the year comes to an end.

Consumers buy cannabis right before the long break for Christmas, and again ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Think about how to target the right audiences based on their buying habits, the trends laid out above, and what deal might appeal the most to them during this time.

INDOOR-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

On December 23, sales spike by:

+63%

Vapes

+64%

Edibles

*Compared to 2021 Monthly Category Average

HIGH SALES DURING THE HOLIDAY WEEK

December 16-31

+29% Higher sales than December 1-15

December 23

+56% Higher sales vs monthly average

December 24

+40% Higher sales on Christmas Eve

December 31

+54% Higher sales vs monthly average

*Compared to Average December 2021 Cannabis Sales

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