In cannabis retail, promotions are a powerful tool for driving traffic, clearing inventory, and rewarding loyal customers. But offering discounts, BOGOs (buy-one-get-one-free), and loyalty points simultaneously can quickly erode margins if not approached strategically. Done right, though, stacking loyalty incentives with sales events can transform occasional shoppers into brand advocates—without turning your balance sheet red. Here’s how dispensaries can smartly bundle deals and points to boost sales sustainably:
1. Know Your Margins Before You Stack
Before combining a flash sale with loyalty points, analyze product margins closely. Products with higher profit buffers—like accessories, edibles, or certain house-brand flowers—can handle deeper discounts or bonus points. Avoid stacking deals on low-margin SKUs that might sell below cost after combined promotions.
2. Tier Promotions Strategically
Instead of blanketing every product with stacked incentives, create tiered offers. For example:
- Tier 1 (High-Margin): Stack BOGO or 30% off with 2x loyalty points.
- Tier 2 (Mid-Margin): Standard discount plus regular points accrual.
- Tier 3 (Low-Margin): Offer one incentive only—either a discount or points—not both.
This segmentation ensures you excite customers while protecting profitability.
3. Time-limited promotions with Loyalty Triggers
Run stacked offers during sales events to incentivize immediate action. Announce that customers earn double points only during the weekend sale, or that points redemption gets them an extra discount on clearance days. Linking urgency to loyalty accelerates purchases without permanently inflating costs.
4. Leverage Exclusive Loyalty Tiers
Reserve stacked deals for your higher-tier loyalty members (e.g., Gold or Platinum). This creates a sense of exclusivity that rewards your best customers while limiting margin exposure across your entire shopper base.
5. Communicate Clearly Across Channels
Transparency is key when stacking deals. Use email, SMS, app notifications, and in-store signage to explain exactly how promotions work together: “Buy one, get one 50% off PLUS double points today only!” This clarity prevents confusion and sets expectations, driving excitement rather than frustration.
6. Use Points as Upsell Incentives
Encourage customers to reach the next spending threshold by offering bonus points on larger purchases. For instance, “Spend $150+ during our sale and earn 500 bonus points!” This tactic grows average order value while keeping discounts capped.
7. Monitor and Adjust in Real Time
Track the performance of stacked promotions using your POS and loyalty program data. If a campaign starts to erode margins faster than anticipated, adjust the offer mid-promotion—such as reducing bonus points or limiting quantities—to protect your bottom line.
8. Train Staff to Maximize Value
Your budtenders are the frontline of promotion success. Equip them with scripts that highlight the combined savings and points benefits, so they can confidently upsell bundles and explain how customers get the most value.
9. Highlight Redemption Opportunities Post-Sale
Once the event ends, remind shoppers to redeem accumulated points on future visits. This extends the life of your promotion and gives customers another reason to return—turning a one-time deal into long-term loyalty.
By stacking promotions thoughtfully—aligned with your margin realities and loyalty strategy—dispensaries can ignite short-term sales bursts while building lasting relationships with their customers. The goal isn’t to discount recklessly but to create synergistic offers that keep your audience engaged and your books healthy.