[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Read on for everything you need to know as a CBD retailer ready to open a Shopify store.
Two years ago the CBD market was projected to be worth $2 billion by the year 2022. Since then that number has grown to an astonishing $22 billion making it one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. It was, therefore, only a matter of time before big companies and online platforms started to incorporate ways to sell CBD products through their businesses legally. And, Shopify Inc. – a leading multi-channel commerce platform – is at the forefront of doing this.
Recently, Shopify announced that beginning September 17, 2019, the eCommerce giant would be allowing hemp and hemp-derived CBD products onto its platform. Through new features, the platform will help U.S. merchants sell CBD products both online and in brick and mortar retail locations where the law permits. The announcement comes after Shopify’s success in Canada where the platform has enabled merchants to sell CBD products since 2018.
What Does This Mean For CBD Retailers?
Joining the over 800,000 global merchants that Shopify supports globally, U.S. CBD retailers are now able to “sell select hemp or hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products” on the platform. Not only will CBD retailers have access to the Shopify platform, but also to the platform’s reliable technology, marketing tools, and additional apps that deal with inventory management and logistics. By using Shopify, CBD retailers will be able to accommodate the demand for their products and give their customers more choice.
Benefits Of Using Shopify For CBD Retailers
As a merchant that sells CBD products, you can take advantage of Shopify’s powerful retail operating system that offers you a variety of benefits, including the following:
- Great Support From The Shopify Team – Shopify is known for its award-winning support team which is available to help U.S. merchants set up and operate their store.
- Customized Shipping Profiles – Retailers can create shipping rules based on a customer’s location and the type of product they are purchasing. This is extremely important due to the legal side of selling CBD products. It also gives the customer accurate shipping prices before checkout.
- Marketing Services – Using tools available in the Shopify marketing section, CBD retailers can build marketing campaigns to help buyers discover their store and products.
- Design Functionality – Create a beautiful online store using Shopify’s store builder. With this store builder, you can also add CBD products to an existing Shopify store.
- Payment & Shipment Providers – Having partnered with several payment and shipping providers, Shopify offers its users reliable – safe and secure – payment and shipping options.
UPDATE: Square has announced an early access program for CBD payment processing. This coupled with Shopify’s announcement clears critical obstacles from the path of eligible CBD retailers.
Legalities For Shopify CBD Retailers
Due to legalities, Shopify made it very clear that this only applies to select states in the U.S. where the sale of CBD products is permitted. Because the U.S. laws surrounding hemp and CBD are constantly and rapidly evolving, Shopify encourages CBD retailers using its platform to consult with an attorney before selling these products on the platform. The platform also urges CBD retailers to review and monitor federal, state, and local laws, as well as monitor updates from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Whether you’re in the CBD coffee or skincare industry, this major announcement by Shopify furthers the platform’s commitment to retaining innovation. U.S. CBD retailers will now have access to a safe and secure platform that will continuously allow them to compete in the growing CBD industry.
Elevated’s Development & Email Marketing Automation teams can help. Contact us ASAP to learn more about our Growth Marketing Plans for CBD and Cannabis eCommerce retailers.
What’s Next?
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