With nearly 600 current stores and another 981 applications in the pipeline, Oregon’s retail cannabis environment is one of the most diverse and competitive in the country, due in part to the lack of a cap on licenses, a longstanding medical program and regulations that allow for out-of-state ownership and investment. Portland alone has a citywide average of more than one store per square mile.
But even in a market as difficult and crowded as Oregon’s, several chains have established themselves as market leaders, cutting through the noise to achieve dominance in the retail category.
While the vast majority of Oregon cannabis companies have only a small handful of stores, there are 11 that have five or more retail licenses. Though they come from vastly different backgrounds and built their businesses through elaborate designs, pervasive marketing, aggressive expansion or smart buying decisions, all are doing something to resonate with consumers in the Beaver State.
Marijuana Venture checked in with some of the largest chains in the state to see how they rose to the top and what they have planned for the future.
The Franchise
Attis Trading Co. already has five cannabis retail stores and one of the largest grows in Oregon, but CEO Eli Bilton has his eyes trained on much bigger plans this fall.
According to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission 11 businesses have more than five retail licenses in the state. Marijuana Venture reached out to all 11 and profiled the businesses available to participate in the feature article.
Nectar
Classy, competitive and the largest vertically integrated retail chain in Oregon.
No. of retail licenses: 14
LaMota
Vertically integrated with large selection and competitive prices.
No. of retail licenses: 10
Hi Cascade
Wide variety of local products in a traditional dispensary setting.
No. of retail licenses: 8
Chalice Farms
Vertically integrated with rustic, traditional retail shopping experience.
No. of retail licenses: 6
Electric Lettuce/Serra
Beautifully designed, offering experiential retro and posh shopping atmospheres.
No. of retail licenses: 4/2
Five Zero Trees
Vertically integrated, Oregon-centric, celebrates local cannabis culture.
No. of retail licenses: 6
Sweet Relief
Northeastern Oregon chain with a small-town and homespun feel.
No. of retail licenses: 5
Attis Trading Co.
Western-themed, apothecary with plans for national expansion.
No. of retail licenses: 5
Cannabliss & Co.
Longstanding medical roots with historic and community-centric locations.
No. of retail licenses: 5
West
Oregon’s newest dispensary chain opened in 2018 with five retail licenses.
No. of retail licenses: 5
Mr. Nice Guy
Colorful atmosphere with a variety of unique, cozy locations.
No. of retail licenses: 5
With the Oregon Liquor Control Commission putting a pause on licensing, Attis is now turning its attention to expanding its product lines and retail footprint nationally. The three-pronged strategy includes introducing its products into California in November, going public on the Canadian market and establishing a partnership to expand the retail brand through a franchise model.
Bilton, a second-generation cannabis farmer and former housing developer, started Attis Trading Co. in July 2015 and quickly had three stores up and running. Within 12 months, the company was at five stores — three in Portland and two on the coast — and building out its cultivation, extraction and manufacturing infrastructure.
Bilton says the secret to Attis’ success is not really a secret at all: “It’s just getting back to the basics of Business 101: your team, your plan and executing your plan,” he says.
Throughout the operation, Bilton has focused on efficiency and professionalism. The company’s motto, “The Art of Fine Cannabis,” speaks to both Bilton’s commitment to natural farming techniques and to the sophistication of the retail locations. The company stocks its shelves with many of its own products, including its new Potion and Golden Goose lines and all the outdoor and greenhouse flower, which account for about half of the company’s flower sales. House brands are supplemented by “best-of-breed” brands from producers throughout the state.
Each of the five Attis retail locations has a similar style, but the three Portland shops follow what Bilton calls a more refined, “franchise” look. The coastal stores in Lincoln City and Tillamook “have a bit more of a country store feel, due to the buildings,” he says.
Overall, the metro stores have higher sales because they serve a much larger population. But the coastal locations do particularly well from late spring to early fall as people visit the beach for day trips and vacations. Bilton also credits the success to being vertically integrated and the having the ability to analyze retail sales date to improve the product Attis carries and serve a wide range of consumers.
“We try and understand our consumers and the different demographics to produce brands and also to provide the best service possible,” Bilton says.