Snoop Dogg Launches Online Cannabis Store​ 😮‍💨

Who’d have thought shipping grass would go mainstream? Well, Snoop already signed up, and is turning cannabis into a lifestyle revolution 🌪️. 

Hello, and welcome to this week’s The Ecom Press 🗞️! 

In today’s issue, we explore Snoop Dogg’s foray into cannabis ecommerce amidst hemp regulations and unpack Instagram’s latest update on Broadcast Channels set to reshape brand engagement.

And for holiday shoppers, Gmail’s latest feature makes tracking your packages smoother than ever 🚚.

Ready for this week’s roundup? Let’s dive in!

In a rush? Here's the juice🤭:

😮‍💨 Snoop Dogg launches online cannabis store.

📱 Instagram updates Broadcast Channels with Replies. 

⏳ Gmail’s new feature lets you track packages in real time.

📚 Case Study: How Mott & Bow Snagged 10k Subs and Boosted Conversions by 10% With Popups.

⚡️Worthy Mentions

😮‍💨 Snoop Dogg launches online cannabis store. 

Hip-hop icon and serial entrepreneur Snoop Dogg recently launched his online store selling cannabis flower, hemp-derived cannabis products, branded merchandise, and other smoking accessories. This direct-to-consumer ecommerce platform, SWED.com builds on the success of his S.W.E.D. (Smoke Weed Every Day) dispensaries in Los Angeles and Amsterdam.

Here’s the lowdown ⬇️: 

📦 Products: SWED.com features a variety of items, including Dogg Leaf natural tobacco wraps, Death Row Records rolling trays, and odor-proof backpacks. The collection also includes THCA flower, a hemp-derived product that transforms into THC when smoked or vaped.

🚚 Shipping: While most products are available across the U.S., THCA flower faces restrictions in 13 states, including California, Nevada, and Oregon, due to state-specific regulations on hemp-derived THC products. Other items, like wraps and merchandise, ship nationwide, making SWED.com accessible to a broad audience, although many states have not legalized recreational marijuana.

🏪 Store Directory: In addition to online shopping, SWED.com acts as a directory for S.W.E.D.’s physical dispensaries, providing detailed information about its flagship locations in Los Angeles and Amsterdam while plans are in motion for new dispensaries in other regions.

Snoop Dogg promises to grow the product lineup significantly over the coming weeks, introducing new items that reflect his commitment to premium quality and cultural significance.

Why it matters 🤔? 

With 23 U.S. states legalizing recreational cannabis, Snoop Dogg is making a bold move to dominate this untapped market. Beyond preaching the cannabis gospel for enthusiasts to embrace the lifestyle, he is providing access to products traditionally limited to physical stores. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is!

But what do you think? Will Snoop Dogg set the stage for a future where cannabis brands are as mainstream as Coca-Cola? Whichever the case, we’re likely to see ecommerce transform another niche market into a full-fledged lifestyle industry.

📱 Instagram updates Broadcast Channels with Replies.

Meta is enhancing Broadcast Channels on Instagram with updates designed to deepen engagement between creators, brands, and their communities. Broadcast Channels have grown significantly, with over 1.5 billion monthly messages exchanged, but user participation was previously limited to reactions. The new features aim to foster more interactive and collaborative experiences.

Here’s what’s new ⭐️:

🗣️ Replies: Fans can now respond to messages and each other, creating opportunities for two-way conversations. Replies are neatly organized into threads, maintaining clarity within the channel. Creators can manage replies by deleting or reporting inappropriate ones.

• How to Enable: Tap your channel name, go to Channel controls, and toggle Allow members to reply to messages.

💭 Prompts: These kickstart conversations by encouraging fans to engage with Q&As, daily check-ins, or custom topics. Responses can include text or photos and remain active for 24 hours. Prompts give creators tools to keep their communities lively and interactive.

• How to Create: Tap the + in your channel and select Prompt.

💡 Insights and Best Practices: Meta now provides metrics like interactions, story shares, and poll votes, allowing creators to understand what resonates with their audience. Personalized tips and guidance help optimize channel strategies, while cross-platform sharing extends reach across Instagram and Facebook.

• How to View: Tap your channel name, go to Channel performance, and select See all for detailed insights.

If you run a business via Instagram, this is a perfect opportunity to build an interactive community for your brand. Imagine being able to gather real-time feedback, host live Q&A sessions, respond to customer inquiries directly, or even crowdsource ideas for new product launches. 

With the added insights, you can refine your strategies to focus on what resonates most with your community while staying authentic and relatable.

⏳ Gmail’s new feature lets you track packages in real time.

Google has updated Gmail’s package tracking feature to make holiday shopping more manageable. This new update allows users to track packages directly from their inbox, offering real-time shipping updates from major U.S. carriers. 

Here’s how it works 🔥:

🎴 Interactive Summary Cards: Package tracking is integrated into Gmail’s summary cards. These cards appear at the top of relevant emails and include shipment status updates and a one-click “Allow” button to opt in.

⏰ Real-Time Tracking: Once enabled, Gmail automatically retrieves tracking info from emails and displays shipping progress in your inbox. You can opt-in or out anytime, giving you control over what updates you see.

Here’s how to set it up in Gmail:

• Open the Gmail app and tap the menu (three lines, top left).

• Navigate to Settings.

• In General Settings (or Data Privacy for iOS), toggle Package Tracking on or off.

• Alternatively, click “Allow” on summary cards in emails to activate tracking instantly.

It’s a small tweak but with a big impact, especially for the millions navigating the busiest shipping season of the year. Also, brands should see email as more than a marketing channel but an opportunity to provide personalized service-driven experiences to customers. 

🛎️ The Ecom Press Insider

Ecom Fact: The average popup conversion rate hovers around 11%, but the best-designed popups can hit an impressive 42.35% (Source: OptiMonk)

A popup isn’t just a window; it’s an invitation. Tailor your offer to the visitor’s intent (think: first-time discounts for new users or free shipping for cart abandoners), and deliver it at the perfect moment—like just before they’re about to leave the page.

📚 Case Study: How Mott & Bow Snagged 10k Subs and Boosted Conversions by 10% With Popups.

When premium denim brand Mott & Bow faced a growing but under-converting website traffic problem, they needed a solution to turn visitors into loyal customers. Their secret weapon? A smartly designed lead-generation popup that transformed casual browsers into engaged subscribers.

What was the challenge 🧗🏽‍♂️? 

Mott & Bow’s marketing strategy was pulling in traffic from Google Ads, Facebook Ads, SEO, and organic brand building. However, many visitors were landing directly on product pages and leaving without making a purchase. The challenge was clear: how to engage new visitors and give them a compelling reason to convert before they bounced.

How did they solve it 🤔?

The brand introduced a Smart Discount Popup designed to be visually appealing, engaging, and tailored to their audience. Key features included:

• Fullscreen Design: Bold and immersive, yet seamlessly integrated into the shopping experience.

• Multi-Step Approach: Starting with a simple Yes/No question made it conversational and less intrusive. The visitor only typed in their email after clicking “Yes.”

• Exclusive Offer: $26 off + free shipping was irresistible for first-time visitors.

• Visual Appeal: High-quality imagery of Mott & Bow’s products enhanced the popup’s allure.

• Precise Targeting: Triggered only for new visitors from ads or organic traffic.

• Time Optimization: Deployed one second after landing to grab attention quickly.

The results 📈?

• 10%+ Conversion Rate: A significant boost in converting visitors into engaged subscribers.

• 100,000+ New Subscribers: In just six months, Mott & Bow grew a substantial email list for nurturing long-term customer relationships.

The key takeaway 🧐? 

It’s all about continuous conversions, right? Well then, focus on thoughtfully designed popups that balance attention-grabbing visuals with a personalized, non-intrusive approach. A simple Yes/No question combined with a valuable offer can turn hesitant visitors into loyal customers.

⚡️Worthy Mentions

• Meta plans restrictions on healthcare advertising starting January 2025.

• OpenAI finally releases Sora Video Generation tool to the public.

• Domino’s partners with Netflix for ‘Squid Game’ promo with emergency pizzas.

• Walmart completes acquisition of television maker Vizio for $2.3 billion.

• U.S. appeals court upholds TikTok ban endorsing law forcing its sale.

Wrapping up…

Besides platform updates from Instagram and Google, Snoop Dogg is about to take ecommerce by storm with S.W.E.D.🌪️ 

A lot happens in one week, right? And trust me, you never know what’s coming 🔮. 

So, stay curious, don’t snooze, smash that subscribe button, and we’ll catch you next week 💥!