As Colorado’s demand for cannabis grows, a new self-checkout solution is launching in dispensaries across the state.
For the first time in history, Colorado cannabis sales surpassed $200 million in one month, over June of this year. Sales in Colorado grew 5% from May and over 30% year-over-year compared to June 2019, according to BDSA.
Riding that wave, Boston- and Colorado-based cannabis startup anna announced today the launch of its compliant self-checkout solution for Colorado dispensaries.
With anna’s devices, customers can browse in-store using the touchscreen interface or utilize online ordering by scanning their QR code upon arrival, keeping the checkout process to under a minute.
“It’s about getting customers through faster with less contact,” CEO Matt Frost said.
These capabilities allow dispensaries and CBD retailers to service additional customers while adhering to today’s social distancing guidelines. While anna has been in development for nearly three years, Frost said the importance of social distancing regulations has increased the need for the company’s product.
“A self-checkout solution does lend itself well to these times,” he said. “There’s a bigger appetite for what we’re doing now.”
The interior of anna’s units can be configured to accommodate products of all sizes, and its capacity exceeds 2,000 products in a footprint just under 8 square feet.
anna launched at two Colorado dispensaries this week; Strawberry Fields in Pueblo and Starbuds in Aurora, with each store featuring custom-branded units.
The company has additional rollouts planned with its dispensary partners over the rest of this year and 2021—including a September 2020 launch in Massachusetts, as well as an expanded Colorado presence.
In total, Frost said anna will deploy 14 units across the two states within the next eight weeks.
By 2021, anna is focused on bringing the company's self-checkout solution to cannabis markets in Nevada, California and Canada.
