Almost half of Canadians now prefer to buy cannabis online
The apparent increase is being partially attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made social distancing the new normal
Translated from the website The Growth Op
A study commissioned by a licensed cannabis producer claims that 43% of Canadians prefer to shop online rather than in person at a store.
A total of 1,512 Canadians were interviewed (of which 591 were cannabis consumers) by the national data and research firm Maru/Blue, in a study commissioned by Figr, a licensed cannabis producer based in PEI in Charlottetown.
The number may mark a 30% increase in enthusiasm for buying cannabis online, compared to the 2019 figures from StatsCan since the first year of federal legalization.
In that survey, only 13% of Canadians expressed a preference for web-based sources of the plant. The apparent increase is being partially attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made social distancing the new normal.
However, 35% of respondents stated that they still prefer entering a retail store when making new cannabis purchases, and 22% like to seek advice from friends before opting for cannabis products.
"A lot has changed in recent months, but what hasn't changed is the need for consumer education," said Zack Grossman, vice president of marketing at Figr, in a statement. "Budtenders continue to be a significant resource for consumers, but with a growing preference for online shopping, we need to ensure that consumers have access to information through other channels as well".
The company launched a "Budtender app" to help customers choose products.
The results showed a growing trend for Canadians to conduct more independent research before spending their dollars.
Together with the considerable number of cannabis consumers who are shopping online, 16% of respondents said they prefer to "read reviews or recommendations online" before deciding what to buy.