How The Artist Tree uses self-service in its stores and lounge

The Artist Tree has run Seed Self Service since 2019, in its stores and in its consumption lounge.

The Artist Tree is a California dispensary brand built around one idea: each store is an art gallery that also sells cannabis. Its first store and consumption lounge opened in West Hollywood, a city with a strong creative scene, and the gallery concept followed it from there. Seed's job is to fit technology into those stores without getting in the way of the art.

Art first, technology built in

Walk into an Artist Tree store and the first thing you notice is local art on every wall. The fixtures are modern and the space is colorful. Seed's touchscreens are mounted on walls and set on freestanding kiosks, styled to match the brand, so they read as part of the store rather than something bolted on.

What the kiosks do on the floor

1. Help shoppers learn on their own.

Touchscreens throughout the store let shoppers browse the full menu, take a short quiz that points them to products, and tap into any item for details and prices. Shoppers can get answers without waiting for a budtender.

2. Let experienced shoppers order fast.

Some shoppers already know what they want. They can walk up to a screen, place the order without talking to anyone, and pick it up when it's ready.

The Artist Tree's main service model is one-on-one: a budtender walks each shopper through the store. Kiosks give shoppers a second option, so the store offers both and each shopper picks the one they like.

3. Make the visit better, even without an order.

Not every kiosk session ends in an order, and that's fine. Shoppers who want to take their time can browse and read in a touchscreen setting, and the same screens promote deals, specials and events. That makes every screen another in-store marketing channel. It's the same reason California dispensaries save hours every week with Seed TV menus.

4. Put waiting time to use.

In stores with a lobby, shoppers use the kiosks while they wait. In open floor plans like the West Hollywood store, a mix of wall-mounted units and freestanding kiosks lets people move through at their own pace, whether they're shopping or heading up to the lounge.

Tablets at the tables in the lounge

The Studio Lounge is built to feel like a restaurant or bar you want to spend time in: bright, welcoming, and nothing like a stereotypical cannabis space. With Seed already in the retail store, the lounge uses the same technology.

Guests check in at a desk and are seated in a lounge with booths, small round tables, outdoor seating and a bar top, with books, plants and art around the room.

Each table gets a tablet, the way a restaurant hands you a menu. Guests can order straight from the tablet, or use it as a visual menu while they order with a server. The menu changes often and carries a lot of products, so printed menus wouldn't keep up, and a tablet gives a bigger, easier view than a QR code on a phone. The tablets also carry recommendations and answers to common questions.

Thank you to The Artist Tree team

We're proud to be The Artist Tree's in-store technology provider, in its retail stores and in its consumption lounge.