Market Trends: What Consumers Want in 2025
As markets continue to expand, consumer preferences are reshaping the retail landscape. From pre-rolls and vape cartridges to beverages and wellness products, customers are driving demand for convenient, innovative, and cost-effective options.
According to the MJBiz Factbook, the regulated market is projected to reach $58 billion by 2030, making 2025 a crucial year for retailers to align their inventory with consumer demand.
What trends should dispensaries prepare for? Let’s explore the top consumer preferences shaping retail in 2025.
1. The Continued Rise of Pre-Rolls and Pre-Ground Flower
Pre-rolls are among the fastest-growing categories, with sales increasing 11.9% between 2023 and 2024. Their popularity is driven by:
- Convenience – Consumers prefer ready-to-use products over rolling their own.
- Variety – Pre-rolls come in multiple strains, potencies, and infused options.
- Cost-effectiveness – Many brands offer multipacks at competitive prices.
Additionally, pre-ground flower is gaining traction. Products like half-ounce and 1-ounce “ready-to-roll” pouches appeal to customers looking for convenience and affordability.
Together, flower and pre-rolls make up 50-60% of total sales, making them essential for dispensary inventory in 2025.
2. Vape Cartridges Continue to Gain Market Share
Vape cartridges remain a dominant product category, appealing to consumers for their discreet use, ease of consumption, and fast onset effects.
- The vape market was valued at $5 billion in 2023 and continues to grow.
- Competitive pricing—especially in markets like Massachusetts, where carts cost as low as $25 per gram—is increasing accessibility.
- Many consumers prefer strain-specific, live resin, and solventless rosin carts for enhanced flavor and potency.
For dispensaries, offering a wide selection of vape products is key to attracting repeat customers.
3. Edibles Are Evolving: Gummies Dominate, Chocolates Decline
Edibles remain a core part of retail, but gummies are taking over as the preferred option.
- Gummies offer variety in flavor and dosage, making them more appealing.
- Cost-effective production gives gummies an edge over chocolates, which have seen higher manufacturing costs due to rising cocoa prices.
- Edibles account for approximately 18% of total sales, making them a must-have category in 2025.
To meet demand, dispensaries should stock a diverse range of flavors, dosages, and function-based gummies (e.g., sleep, relaxation, and energy-boosting formulas).
4. The Beverage Market Is Expanding
-infused drinks are becoming a mainstream alternative to alcohol, especially among Millennials and Gen Z consumers.
- The global beverage market was valued at $1.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow 19.2% annually through 2030.
- Infused seltzers and low-dose drinks appeal to social drinkers and wellness-conscious consumers.
- Many consumers are opting for THC-infused drinks over beer and wine, particularly during events like Dry January.
Retailers should prioritize carrying a range of beverages to attract new customers and capitalize on the growing trend.
5. Wellness & Functional Products Are in High Demand
With increasing stress levels due to economic and political uncertainty, many consumers are turning to for relaxation and sleep support.
Popular wellness-focused products include:
- CBD and CBN-infused gummies designed for better sleep.
- THC blends that promote relaxation and stress relief.
- Functional edibles and tinctures with adaptogens like melatonin and L-theanine.
This shift highlights an opportunity for dispensaries to curate wellness-focused products and educate consumers on their benefits.
How Dispensaries Can Adapt to These Market Trends
1. Use Data-Driven Inventory Management
Retailers should leverage analytics platforms like:
- Headset – Provides real-time market trends.
- Dutchie – Helps track inventory performance across multiple locations.
- Canold – Assists with sales forecasting based on consumer behavior insights.
By analyzing sales data and customer preferences, dispensaries can optimize their product selection and avoid overstocking slow-moving items.
2. Maintain an Ideal Product Assortment
The best-performing dispensaries typically carry 200-250 SKUs to balance variety and inventory management.
To stay competitive, retailers should:
- Stock multiple formats of pre-rolls, flower, vapes, and edibles.
- Offer affordable and premium product options for different customer segments.
- Test new and emerging product categories (e.g., solventless extracts, nano-emulsified beverages).
3. Gather Customer Feedback & Train Budtenders
- Conduct customer surveys to understand preferences and purchasing habits.
- Offer in-store product demos to introduce consumers to new brands.
- Ensure budtenders receive ongoing education to provide expert recommendations.
The Future of Retail
Consumer preferences are evolving rapidly, and dispensaries must stay ahead of trends to remain competitive.
By prioritizing top-selling product categories, using data-driven inventory management, and adapting to new consumer demands, retailers can maximize sales and customer loyalty in 2025 and beyond.
For more information about AEL, visit Advanced Extraction Labs.
External Source:
This blog references MJBizDaily’s article on retail trends in 2025. Read the full article here. Or check out our cannabis news 2025 post for more.
