Dispensary brand provides shopping destination where cannabis meets wellness
CHICAGO, July 29, 2019–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cresco Labs Inc. (“Cresco Labs” or the “Company”) (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF), one of the largest vertically integrated multistate cannabis operators in the United States, today unveiled Sunnyside*, a new dispensary brand created to accelerate industry growth and shift people’s expectations and perceptions around shopping for cannabis from intimidation and doubt to curiosity and acceptance through a new retail and marketing approach.
Sunnyside* is more than a dispensary—it’s a wellness-based retailer offering a holistic experience for anyone who considers, or would consider, cannabis to be an integral part of their personal wellness program. It aims to educate today’s diverse users on cannabis’ many positive benefits and provides one of the widest ranges of cannabis brands. A more sophisticated and familiar shopping destination that combines high-end design from healthcare, retail and hospitality, Sunnyside* elevates the value dispensaries can add to a community with a bright, welcoming aesthetic and convenient shopping whether in-store or online.
To unlock the full potential of the U.S. cannabis industry, we must evolve the retail experience to delight both current and prospective users.
Cresco Labs’ CEO and co-founder Charlie Bachtell
Many of today’s dispensaries service the needs of traditional cannabis consumers. As the cultural landscape progresses, we’re building a modern, yet familiar store environment built on wellness, education and customer service to rapidly bring in new users and welcome them to cannabis.
Joe Caltabiano, Cresco Labs’ president and co-founder, added, “Our approach to Sunnyside* creates a framework for scale. As we open locations in new states, we will create one of the largest dispensary brands in the U.S. with the best consumer experience. Our offerings and assortment decisions are rooted in supporting sustained growth. We will sell our full house of cannabis brands, as well as others in all key forms, to ensure we offer the most compelling assortment for our customers and maximize the success of our retail footprint.”
Cresco Labs has taken a unique approach to change the dispensary model, tapping its team’s extensive backgrounds and expertise in branding, consumer experience and retail marketing, to build a world-class retail brand that appeals to the new wave of consumers reshaping cannabis culture. Friendly, trained associates will aim to normalize and professionalize the consumer experience through one-on-one consultations and personalized shopping to help them achieve their health and wellness goals, regardless of their connection to cannabis. Navigating the dispensary will be easy and more convenient than ever before thanks to online ordering and home delivery in applicable states, as well as express and pre-order lanes for order pickup and medical patients. A national loyalty program, available across all Sunnyside* locations (where permitted), will reward customers for being part of its community.
“Unlike traditional CPG industries, customer performance data is hard to come by within the cannabis industry. The Sunnyside* retail experience was built to maximize customer data analytics and insights,” said Cris Rivera, vice president of consumer experience at Cresco Labs. “Not only will we have one of the most robust customer journey data-inputs in cannabis, but we will also collect insight on customer preference trends on new forms and flavors to inform our assortment and new product and services agenda.”
The first Sunnyside location will open in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in November with future locations planned for Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Arizona, Massachusetts and Michigan.
About Cresco Labs:
Cresco Labs, based in Chicago, is a leading U.S. cannabis company with experienced management, access to capital and a demonstrated growth strategy. As a differentiated grower, processor and retailer of premium cannabis operating across the United States, the company focuses on entering highly regulated markets with outsized demand potential and strong regulatory structures. Its impressive speed-to-market gives Cresco a distinct competitive advantage as it replicates its model to expand its national footprint. Cresco’s proven ability to execute is complemented by a cutting-edge brand strategy spearheaded by several of the brightest minds in consumer marketing in the nation. Cresco’s products are tailored to all major consumer segments: everyday cannabis, medicinally focused, connoisseur grade, and chef inspired edibles by James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal. Learn more about Cresco Labs at www.crescolabs.com.
