Please pass the pre-programs: Cannabis for the Thanksgiving holiday | Daily News Byte

DENVER, Nov. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Business Intelligence from Akern (Nasdaq: KERN ), a leading enterprise software company and developer of the most comprehensive technology infrastructure, ecosystem and compliance engine powering the global cannabis industry, delivered data showing that Maundy Wednesday and Black Friday are once again on track to become the second and third largest sales days for regulated cannabis in the US for 2022. These holiday sales days are only surpassed by the record-setting sales of 420, a day of community celebration of cannabis. From November 23-26, the Thanksgiving weekend brought in over $289 million in sales, a total increase of 12.7% over the previous year.

The cannabis industry saw double-digit growth for its two biggest sales days to date: Green Wednesday and Black Friday. Maundy Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, was the most prolific day for cannabis sales, with over $116 million in sales, a 16% increase over the previous year. Of course, with many retailers closed on Thanksgiving, Thursday sales were low, but rebounded for Black Friday with over $115 million in sales, a 14% year-over-year increase.

“Cannabis has become an integral part of the Thanksgiving shopping tradition,” says Jessica Billingsley, CEO of Akerna. “Visibility and participation in the holiday shopping season is the perfect opportunity for operators and brands looking to cement their place in the hearts and minds of their customers.” For operators and brands to effectively participate and increase their visibility, it is critical that they focus on differentiation and efficient production at scale.”

Additional holiday weekend sales data (November 23 – November 26, 2022):

• Selling category
  • Flower: 48.7%
  • Cartridge/Pens: 32.3%
  • Concentrates: 11.6%
  • Infused edibles: 5.8%
  • Other: 1.6%
• Customer demographics – gender
• Customer demographics – age
  • Under 30: 26.6%
  • 30-40 years: 31%
  • 40-50 years: 21.3%
  • 50-60 years: 11.8%
  • Over 60: 9.3%
• Average total order (average dollars spent per purchase)
  • Medical: $111.77
  • Recreation: $68.60
• Average basket size (average number of items purchased per order)
  • Medical: 3.55 subjects
  • Recreational: 3.53 subjects

About Akerna
Akerna (Nasdaq: KERN) is an enterprise software company focused on providing aligned services to the cannabis, hemp and CBD industries. First launched in 2010, Akerna has tracked more than $30 billion in cannabis sales to date and is the first cannabis software company to be listed on the Nasdaq. Using connected data and information to drive the cannabis industry forward, Akerna empowers businesses, governments, patients and consumers to make smart decisions.

The company’s core technology, the MJ Platform, the world’s leading infrastructure-as-a-service platform, powers retailers, manufacturers, brands, distributors and cultivators. Akerna also offers a full suite of professional consulting services and data analytics for businesses, as well as Solo Sciences, Leaf Data Systems, Trellis, Ample Organics, Viridian Sciences and 365 Cannabis.
For more information, visit https://vvv.akerna.com/.

Forward-looking statements
Certain statements made in this release and any accompanying management statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this release for the press, the words “estimates”, “projected”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “intends”, “believes”, “seeks”, “may”, “will”, “should” would,” “future,” “propose,” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include participation in the conference itself, Akern’s future business plans, Akern’s potential business strength in the marketplace and any other statements expressing the views of Akern’s management regarding future business results or strategy. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results and involve a number of significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are beyond Akern’s control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ. (including, without limitation, the results of Akern’s contracts, strategic initiatives and business plans as described herein) differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others that could affect actual results or outcomes, include (i) Akern’s ability to realize the expected benefits of a public company, (ii) competition, (iii) Akern’s ability to grow and manage growth profitably, (iv) Akern’s ability to maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees, (v) costs related to being a public company, (vi) changes in applicable laws or regulations, (vii) Akerna’s ability to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions, including Viridian, and achieve anticipated synergies and operational efficiencies related to the acquired businesses, (viii) and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in Accern’s filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including those under “Risk Factors” in them. Actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially, and potentially adversely, from any projections and forward-looking statements and the assumptions on which they differ from the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the data contained herein reflects future performance to any degree. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a predictor of future performance because projected financial and other information is based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to various significant risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Akern’s control . All information in this document speaks only as of the date of this publication, in the case of information about Akerna, or the date of such information, in the case of information from persons other than Akerna. Akerna undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this document. Forecasts and estimates regarding Akern’s industry and end markets are based on sources believed to be reliable; however, there can be no assurance that these forecasts and estimates will prove to be correct in whole or in part.

Media contact
Meghan Shine
pr@akerna.com