Written by Joanne Cachapero. Photo by Philippe Marquis.
Getting cannabis delivered in New York City is about as easy as ordering pizza. Especially since the pandemic, consumers are opting to chill at home rather than spend the time traveling to a brick-and-mortar retail location to make a purchase. Trends are telling and, for consumers, convenience is king.
In a 2023 study, management consultant firm McKinsey & Company found that 61% of U.S. consumers surveyed said convenience was an important factor in their shopping decisions. Another 2023 study by Statista showed that nearly half of online shoppers in the U.S. cited timesaving as a major perk.
The ripple effect of social distancing resulted in a fertile environment for the adoption of e-commerce and home delivery in almost every retail market. Data from Capital One Shopping indicated that 63% of shoppers use home delivery for “clothing, shoes, and accessories, with similar preferences for electronics and home furnishings.”
Cannabis consumers are also allured by the benefits of online shopping. Industry analysts have crunched the delivery data. A 2021 survey by Ganja Goddess found that around 60% of subjects said they use cannabis delivery services for discretion and privacy. In fact, results from another 2021 survey by Headset Analytics indicated that a third of cannabis consumers prefer delivery, while a Brightfield Group report suggested that high-spending cannabis consumers prioritize options like “online ordering available” and “delivery available.”
Beyond Convenience
Cannabis consumers who do delivery have special concerns, especially in an area like New York City where unlicensed cannabis vendors proliferate. But consumers can’t just order up an eighth of sticky-icky or infused gummies on Amazon Prime.
Instead, New York City’s 1.6 million cannabis consumers can turn to legal cannabis delivery services.
For The Emerald Dispensary customers, delivery options are key.
The dispensary is a fully licensed, social equity-owned cannabis company with a selection of high-quality flower, concentrates, edibles, and topicals. With a storefront in Bushwick, customers can shop in person or online and have their orders delivered directly to them.
“Using delivery in NY, especially in areas covered by the dispensary (Brooklyn, Queens, and soon to be Manhattan), is preferable because it offers convenience, privacy, and the ability to order from a wide range of products without customers leaving their home,” said the dispensary’s co-founder Christina de Giovanni. Home delivery can allow them access to the cannabis products they need on a schedule that works for them.
Delivery doesn’t just offer convenience, it expands access for many who are often unable to visit a physical location for a wide range of reasons. It is particularly beneficial for customers with special needs, explains de Giovanni.
“Especially for those with mobility issues or busy schedules, as well as for privacy and discretion, orders are delivered directly to your doorstep at the designated time, or if a customer requests it, ASAP,” said de Giovanni.
De Giovanni noted positive feedback from customers who prefer shopping from the dispensary’s online menu and receiving personalized delivery.
“Customers appreciate the convenience, discretion, and reliability of The Emerald Dispensary’s delivery service,” she said. “They also like the ease of browsing and ordering online, as well as the quality of products available. Additionally, delivery allows access to a wider range of products without the need to physically visit multiple stores.”
Transforming Industries and Consumer Experiences
The Big Apple has long been the birthplace of many innovative ideas and industries. Pizza delivery, for instance, which revolutionized business for pizza parlors in the early 1950s, had its roots in major cities including New York City and L.A. Small, family-owned pizzerias started delivering meals to busy urbanites who were delighted by the convenience. By the 1970s, chain pizza restaurants like Shakey’s, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and Papa John’s established nationwide dominance with their speedy delivery of budget-friendly family meals.
Today, with the emergence of third-party delivery platforms, pizza delivery is projected to expand well into our not-too-distant delivery robot future, as homebodies everywhere stay home and order in. Point-of-sale platform developers EZ Chow said in a recent report, “the ease of delivery has fueled the pizza industry’s growth. The market is projected to reach $48 billion by 2023, up from $38 billion.”
Can cannabis be far behind? That’s uncertain, but a few tasty bong hits might induce a craving for a couple of fat slices, delivered right to one’s door.
Leave a Reply