Ontario cannabis executives warn about so-called paid retail program

Canadian cannabis producers and brands are actually increasingly paying Ontario retailers for shelf space and other special treatment for their products, according to industry executives. The executives claim that the effective use of so-called entry fees threatens the survival of hundreds of independent retailers and craft growers who lack the money and resources to fund such pay-as-you-go programs. According to one industry source, who asked not to be named for competitive reasons, monthly fees can run into the tens of thousands of dollars or more. On-shelf fees, which have been common in traditional retail for decades, are a relatively new phenomenon in both the U.S. and Canadian cannabis industries. Critics say the program offers an advantage to large producers and retail chains that have the financial muscle to beat smaller competitors.

Information source: new.qq.com/omn/author/8713560