Edibles.com Goes Nationwide
Edibles.com is now serving the entire country– or wherever THC is legal, at least.
The DTC ecommerce platform for hemp-derived THC products announced today it is now selling to consumers nationwide with direct shipping to over 65% of the U.S. market.
A subsidiary of Edible Arrangements parent company Edible Brands, Edibles.com launched in March with limited sales in Texas and other Southern states. Now, the company is claiming that it has a “scale of consumer access unmatched by any other company” in the hemp THC category by offering both national mail and same-day local delivery in Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Georgia.
“Delivering meaningful consumer experiences has always been core to our business and Edibles.com is an extension of that mission,” said Edible Brands CEO Somia Farid Silber in a statement. “We’re not just simplifying access—we’re shaping how consumers engage with this category as it becomes mainstream.”
The website is currently offering nine hemp-based brands for order in select markets across the U.S., including beverage makers Cann, Brez, Ayrloom, Happi and Cantrip, as well as gummy brands Wana, Camino, WYLD and 1906.
The platform also allows consumers to sort not only by brand or format, but also by functionality – offering sleep, relaxation, energy and “Uplift” categories. The company also includes education resources for consumers new to THC products.
Thomas Winstanley, EVP and general manager of Edibles.com said that the company hopes the make the connection between the website and the Edible Arrangements brand clear, believing it could help convert more new cannabis users by providing as vote of confidence from an established brand.
“A lot of people are always seeking permission to try these products, and when we look at the landscape of the top buying segments in the Southeast a lot of them are skewing 60 and older,” Winstanley said. “A lot of those folks are from the Nancy Reagan era of ‘Just Say No.’ Folks are conditioned to think one way, and so what becomes very intriguing to me is part of the value we have with those consumers is if it’s the company that will still send strawberries to your grandmother, if we’re selling these edibles products, then how bad can they be?”
Winstanley joined the business last year, having previously spent nearly six years at Theory Wellness, most recently as CMO.
He noted that the test launch in Texas and the Southeast gave the company good insights into how it could better reach new consumers, but now the national launch reflects a major step forward.
“With a beta test of eight markets across Texas, we were very restricted, obviously, in terms of our reach,” he said. “But now we can take the handcuffs off of that reach and go to — I think it’s something like 150 million people — that we can send product to. That’s a big game changer for us.”
The announcement comes a week after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order to establish a proper regulatory framework for hemp THC products in the state, including age restrictions to protect minors. That order followed an attempt by the Texas legislature to outright ban the sale of all hemp THC in the state, which was vetoed by Abbott in June.
Bloom Pop Rolls Into Walgreens
Bloom Nutrition’s functional soda line Bloom Pop is launching into 7,500 Walgreens stores nationwide, according to Walgreens associate category manager Jeremy Baumeister.
The announcement came ahead of this week’s purchase of a majority stake in Bloom by Nutrabolt, which has invested over $200 million into the company to date. The prebiotic soda line is distributed by Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP).
“As we continue to evolve our assortment, this launch is a strong step in expanding Walgreens’ lifestyle beverage portfolio to meet the needs of today’s shoppers who are looking for functional, better-for-you refreshment,” said Baumeister on LinkedIn last week.
5-Hour Energy Sport Goes to Walmart
5-Hour Energy’s pre-workout Energy Sport shot line is now available in Walmart stores across the conutry – the product’s first nationwide retail rollout.
The 2 oz. shots contain 230 mg of caffeine and 200 mg of the company’s Citrapeak blend of functional ingredients derived from citrus peels. They have zero sugar or calories and are shelf stable and come in two flavors – Vital Orange and Citrus Boost.
“This portable drink is highly effective and perfect for those with ‘powder fatigue’—no scoops, no mixing, just power in a sip,” said Living Essentials, LLC president Leah Key in a statement. “However you enjoy it, it’s the convenient workout boost for busy people who want quick results, without the hassle.”
Narra Makes Whole Foods
Oat milk latte startup Narra is now in Whole Foods in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii, according to co-founder Victoria Reyes.
The launch is accompanied by the rollout of the brand’s latest flavor, Ube Vanilla Latte, packaged in 7.5 oz. cans, which is currently available as an exclusive in the natural channel retailer.
“What makes this moment even more special: we get to debut our newest ([and] very first Filipino) flavor – Ube Vanilla Latte – with an incredible partner that understands our mission,” Reyes wrote on LinkedIn. “From our very first 5-minute pitch last year, it’s been such a pleasure working with the [Whole Foods Market] team.”