Among the neon signs decorating smoke shop windows, you might have noticed one word popping up more recently: kratom.
Kratom is rapidly increasing in popularity, finding its way onto smoke shops’ shelves and into customers’ shopping baskets.
Adding this hot product to your shop’s offerings can be a great way to attract new customers and boost your sales — which is why we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to sell kratom in this blog.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is an herbal substance that originates from Southeast Asia. It is produced by drying and powdering the leaves of the mitragyna speciosa, a tropical evergreen tree.
While scientists are still researching the effects and safety of kratom, some users report that it has calming and pain-relieving properties when consumed in popular forms like capsules and teas.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what kratom is, we can dive into how to start selling it. Here’s how to sell kratom in four steps.
Before you start selling kratom, you need to have a full understanding of the laws regulating this product.
While the federal government does not currently restrict the sale or use of kratom, several states have banned it, including Alabama, Arkansas, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Other states like Tennessee have more complex laws that allow natural kratom but prohibit synthetic products. Some local governments have also enacted bans.
In states where the sale of kratom is permitted, there are other regulations to keep in mind. Here are a few examples:
- Nearly all states prohibit the sale of kratom or related products to customers under the age of 21.
- Some states have specific laws about how strong kratom products can be.
- Many states require specific labeling that includes directions for use, health warnings, ingredients, and manufacturer information.
Since kratom laws vary widely depending on your location, make sure to carefully research which regulations will apply to your smoke shop and make a plan for legal compliance.
2. Secure High-Risk Payment Processing
Another essential aspect of how to sell kratom is understanding how it will change your smoke shop’s payment processing needs.
Since kratom is still being researched and regulated, many payment processing providers consider its sale to be “high-risk.” This means that to sell kratom hassle-free, you need high-risk payment processing.
While obtaining high-risk payment processing might sound inconvenient, it actually gives your smoke shop a greater level of service and support as you enter this new market. For example, you have more protection against fraudulent transactions, and you’ll have access to a support team that understands your business’ unique needs.
Your best bet for securing reliable high-risk payment processing with the lowest transaction fees is to go through your point of sale (POS) provider.
Related Read: Kratom Payment Processing: 3 Things You Need To Know
3. Handpick a Selection of Kratom Products
Now that you’ve covered your bases when it comes to selling kratom, you can start stocking your shelves.
Choosing the right selection of products that will appeal to your usual shoppers and draw in new customers is key, so don’t skip the research phase. Let’s take a look at a few tips for curating an excellent lineup of kratom products:
- Research kratom products and providers. Take some time to learn about what types of kratom are available on the market, and identify trustworthy providers to supply your store.
- Consider your current customers. What types of kratom products are most likely to intrigue your most loyal customers?
- Visit other smoke shops in your area. Meeting an untapped need for a certain kind of kratom product can help your business stand out from the competition.
While you’re adjusting your smoke shop’s product line to include kratom, it’s also a good time to revamp your inventory management strategy. Your POS system should include features like real-time inventory monitoring, low-stock alerts, and carton-pack tracking to make keeping your shop well-stocked easy.
4. Spruce Up Your Marketing Strategy
Congratulations! You’ve only got one step left to learn how to sell kratom in your smoke shop, and it’s marketing your brand-new products.
To reap the benefits of expanding your smoke shop’s selection, you need to give new and returning customers a reason to give kratom a try. Let’s look at a few marketing strategies to implement:
- Invest in eye-catching signage in your shop windows to highlight your shop’s kratom selection.
- Offer a bundle deal that allows customers to pay a discounted price when they purchase a few different kratom products.
- Educate your shoppers about the benefits of kratom and the types of products your smoke shop sells.
The federal, state, and local governments have laws regulating how smoke shops are allowed to advertise products like kratom, so be sure to research these before launching your new marketing plan.
Start Selling Kratom With Cigars POS
Learning how to sell kratom in your smoke shop can lead to more customers and higher sales — and with the right tools, adding this new product to your inventory is a breeze. Let’s recap the POS system features you need to sell kratom:
- Integrated high-risk payment processing
- Robust inventory management
- Flexible promotions and discounts
If you’re looking for a POS system with all these tools and more, check out Cigars POS, a solution designed for smoke shops just like yours.
Schedule your personalized demo today to see Cigars POS in action, or get an instant quote using our pricing tool.
