What’s the likelihood that cannabis-infused food and beverages will be widely stocked in grocery stores within the next five years? Beyond the regulatory statutes, what other factors might influence a retailer’s decision to stock the products?
Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments:
I recently attended Expo East, the Natural Products trade show in Baltimore. Even though this show is about a third the size of the one in Anaheim, the number of cannabis or CBD infused product categories was staggering. Many of these products are focused on relieving pain for specific problems where traditional methods (NSAIDS, Ibuprofen, etc.)have either not worked or where prescription pain medication has lead to huge addiction issues throughout the U.S.
CPG manufacturers will most likely be the first movers to get in front of this opportunity while retailers will stay on the sidelines and wait to see what happens. The CBD wave is coming and those that take the risks will reap the rewards, if not in the U.S. for a few years, in other markets.
We’ve already been contacted by CBD companies that are starting to plan their category management and shopper insight analytics and shelf management go-to-market strategy. Starting to look pretty mainstream to me.
Read the entire article from RetailWire:
Cannabis-infused drink and food makers are high on grocery opportunities