Labor Day Retail Cannabis Promotions

This is it! The last holiday of the summer. The mid-way point between the 4th of July and Halloween.

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We’ll share tips and tricks on how to maximize your Labor Day at the store as well as examples of previously successful campaigns so you can have a great weekend of sales!

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Having a better understanding of the holiday may help you to figure out the best offerings to drive business and meet your customers where they are.

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Labor Day is a national celebration of workers. It’s a special holiday on the calendar for many reasons. It recognizes the gains won for worker rights by labor unions and activists. It’s the only holiday dedicated to the laborer, declaring their need for rest and recovery to be happy and productive.

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In many ways it mirrors cannabis. The first states to celebrate Labor Day were Oregon and Colorado (in this narrative, Oregon beat Colorado to the punch). Canada federally recognized Labor Day first, then the US followed after 23 states led the way at the end of June, 1894.

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Feels a lot like cannabis legalization, no?

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Many are celebrating their Labor Day with downtime and relaxing fun. Think bodies of water and campsites, backyard BBQs and a lot of sleep. Others are legitimately resting from hard labor or long work hours.

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Labor Day is an extended weekend, so timing is crucial. You’ll need to snag the folx heading out of town on Friday while the exhausted workers may be looking on Sunday or Monday for products.

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Tips and Tricks for a Lovely Labor Day

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Water, camping, backyard BBQs - these all scream for beverages and smokes. However, we know beverages aren’t a big sales driver alone. Bundle em up with a pack of prerolls, a premium 1/8th and some blunt wraps. Do you have novel edibles like jerky? Throw that in too!

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In fact, Labor Day is a major beverage holiday in general, more for men than women. So as much as you may hate offering them, find a creative way to bundle them and see how your sales may change!

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With recovering workers, you may also consider ways to promote relaxation and healing, either through highlighting product categories or with a bundle. Think topicals, relaxing blends on your edibles shelf, super stoney strains.

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For a more alt idea, consider that a lot of people use their time off to watch movies and play video games. How might you be able to tap into the “Netflix and chill” or gamer culture?

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Lastly, get a move on! In 2024, retailers have already started their Labor Day campaigns and event marketing by sending ‘save the date’ style announcements - some as early as 7/25! If you’re not early, you’re late, your dad likely used to say.

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Past Successful Promotional Ideas

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The following ideas come directly from successful Happy Cabbage campaigns over the prior year for Labor Day:

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• Take the stress out of decision making for your customers. You know us, we love a good bundle, baby!
  • Offer a premade, assorted box of cannabis goodies that make it easy for your customers to stock up for a party, or to unwind on a day off. See ideas above for what those bundles could contain.
  • Premade bundles give retailers an opportunity to introduce consumers to new brands or product types that they might not have tried otherwise.
  • Expand your customer’s palette by coordinating a mix of popular products (that you know they’ll want) and lesser known selections (especially any slow-movers that give you a high margin).
• Prioritize your VIPs
  • Get them in the door early to purchase their holiday picks by offering them early sale access. They won’t get stuck in a longer holiday line and might stock up with a few extra items since they’re buying ahead of time *plus* getting an extra holiday discount.
• Remember the reason for the season - appreciation for workers! Like the great Dolly Parton said, working 9-5 is “enough to drive you crazy if you let it!”
  • Highlight items that help your customers relax, unwind, chill, embrace good vibes, live in the moment, take a load off, fuhgeddaboudit…..and all that jazz.
  • This goes for your team too, business owners!
  • Positive employee morale contributes to positive customer experiences. Take a moment to share your appreciation with your employees and coworkers.
• With many workers enjoying a holiday on Monday, extend a bring-a-buddy campaign to incentivize your customers to come in with a friend for a super sweet deal.

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Ok, you’re late, so get out there and get promoting!!! Good luck this Labor Day weekend!

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