A new, independent retail cannabis collective has launched Canada-wide to help independent business owners access financial resources, get professional development and create collective leadership in the cannabis industry.
The Independent Retail Cannabis Collective (IRCC) was announced on Tuesday and is co-founded by unnamed industry professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences all rooted in independent retail.
“The focus is on levelling the playing field so that independent retailers can get the same access as chain and larger organizations,” IRCC’s marketing and communications spokesperson Christina Michael told Mugglehead via email.
Around 80 per cent of cannabis retail locations in Canada are founded, owned and operated by independent business owners. The IRCC was established to provide a centralized hub for members to share and access offers and business intelligence to unlock financial resources to support overall business health.
The collective will also help independent retailers as a bridge for licensed producers to connect with local shops.
“The primary motivation to create the IRCC is supporting the survival of independent retailers in the cannabis sector. We believe that the independent retail spirit drives innovation and the best solutions come from this entrepreneurial spirit,” Michael said.
She explained that through collaboration the organization aims to co-create a balanced retail landscape to share insights, negotiate and create financial resources that keep the industry moving forward.
“We are stronger together. This is how we are seen, heard and supported,” Michael added.
The collective will launch in September and its intention is not to micromanage, induce or influence independent retailers, but to co-create opportunities to access resources for better business health and sustainability.
“With all things, this is an evolution on our mission of building relationships, trust and co-creating a better future for independent retailers,” Michael said.
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Excited to share the @irccollective with everyone today. Thank you to @Andreadobbs2 @lisabigioni @_xtinamichael @jessedhami @robcherry17 @Shakir_Tayabali @ChrisFelgate for your advice and stewardship to get us here today https://t.co/XNxtiLekD6
— Nathan Mison (@MisonNathan) September 6, 2022
“We are pleased to offer a new platform for independent retailers to share business intelligence relating to products they choose to sell in their locations at their discretion,” IRCC co-founder Nathan Mison said in a statement Tuesday.
“We acknowledge a vast majority of retail locations are owned and operated independently and our Advisory Board members represent the diversity of the industry,”
“Our purpose is to level the playing field between independent retailers and larger organizations. We will advocate for changes that will allow us to be seen, heard and supported,” said Mison.
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