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Next, We Take New Brunswick with Chris Jones, Founder and President of CANNABIS XPRESS
Serial entrepreneur Chris Jones, Founder and President of CANNABIS XPRESS, a leading chain of cannabis retail stores started in Ontario, is back on the podcast to tell us his adventure of expanding his successful store concept to small-town New Brunswick, one of the most innovative markets in Canada.
World Entrepreneur Day: Stories of Resilience
In celebration of World Entrepreneur Day, we want to help motivate each other through a collection of stories of resilience, perseverance and endurance from 15 entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs share how they have pushed through challenges and setbacks in their careers and personal lives as well as some motivation and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, including Chris Jones, Founder & CEO of CANNABIS XPRESS.
Private cannabis shop finds downtown spot in Saint Andrews
CANNABIS XPRESS owner Chris Jones says the hardest part of opening a store in Saint Andrews was finding the right spot. But with the keys in hand, New Brunswick’s ninth licensed private cannabis retailer is set to open this week.
Private cannabis shop finds downtown spot in Saint Andrews
CANNABIS XPRESS is opening a location in Saint Andrews on Thursday, June 27, 2024, with its storefront on Water Street on the back side of the Kennedy Inn.
CANNABIS XPRESS Expands: New Brunswick's Largest Cannabis Retailer Opens St. Andrews Store
There’s a new cannabis retailer in St. Andrews – and it’s celebrating with a massive grand opening event full of special deals and discounts. CANNABIS XPRESS is a premier retailer offering a limited and carefully curated selection of cannabis products. Founded in Ontario, CANNABIS XPRESS has expanded into New Brunswick to become the largest private cannabis retailer in the province.
Merchant Spotlight: CANNABIS XPRESS, Success in New Brunswick
Chris Jones, founder of CANNABIS XPRESS, has successfully navigated the rapidly evolving landscape of the legal cannabis industry. CANABIS XPRESS will be opening the newest cannabis store in New Brunswick this month, becoming the largest private cannabis retailer in New Brunswick. With plans for continued expansion, Chris shares his motivations, advice for new cannabis startups, and strategies that have helped him thrive amidst industry changes.
NINTH PRIVATE RETAIL STORE COMING TO NEW BRUNSWICK
Retail chain CANNABIS XPRESS says it plans to open its third store in New Brunswick soon, the first cannabis store in the small town of St. Andrews, located in the back of the historic Kennedy House Hotel.
THIRD IN NEW BRUNSWICK
In late June, CANNABIS XPRESS will open its 17th location, and third in New Brunswick. The 411 square foot unit at 218 Water Street, between King and Frederick streets is the first cannabis store in St. Andrews in southwestern New Brunswick. Owner and founder of the CANNABIS XPRESS concept Chris Jones adds that plans are to continue sourcing expansion opportunities in New Brunswick. Introduced in Ontario in Fall 2020 and entering the New Brunswick market in mid-2023, the CANNABIS XPRESS, now the largest private cannabis retailer in the province, is designed to emphasize speed and convenience with a streamline product selection.
THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF EXPANSIOn ACROSS CANADA
Expanding a cannabis retail store business to a different province in Canada comes with its own set of challenges, which can vary depending on factors like regulations, market dynamics, as well as operational and financial considerations. Read this article on page 12 to see our top four challenges to consider.
Highly objective: podcast interview
CANNABIS XPRESS, CEO, Chris Jones Leveraging his experience in M&A at Origin House (acquired by: Cresco Labs) and Star Buds Cannabis Co. (acquired by CordovaCann), Chris Jones built a low cost, profitable cannabis retail chain.
CANNABIS N.B. EXPANDING WITH NEW STORES AND PRIVATE PARTNERS
After five years of legalized sales, Cannabis N.B. continues to evolve. “We’re very excited to continue to see expansion and really excited about these new stores opening up in the coming weeks,” said CEO Lori Stickles. Three new corporate stores will open — on Queen Street in Fredericton, Germain Street in Saint John and Mountain Road in Moncton — and a new private store will open in Saint Andrews.
CANNABIS XPRESS IN NB & ON
Chris Jones took a different tact than others when opening cannabis retail stores—and his success has so far proven the business model works. With CANNABIS XPRESS, Jones targets small communities where there are no other stores. He keeps his buildout costs low (often doing much of the work himself opening stores) and curating a limited inventory of products.
Cannabis Investor Focus Shifts to Retail
Cannabis retail gets no respect: not from regulators who have tended to force it into “green zones”, nor from investors who have mostly poured money into cultivation and brands. But that’s starting to change, at least among investors who are now noticing a lot of white space on some states’ WeedMaps pages, and who have seen a lot of their supply-side bets struggle.
Hampton's new cannabis outlet a 'big hit': owner
Ontario-based CANNABIS XPRESS opened up in Hampton Mall last week, and owner Chris Jones says it’s their best launch yet.
New Brunswick’s eighth private cannabis store opens in Hampton
New Brunswick recently announced the eighth private retail cannabis store in the province, located in Hampton, about a 30-minute drive from Saint John. The provincial government first announced its plans for around a dozen new stores in 2021. It began vetting for ten new private cannabis stores following a tender process that ended in October 2022. The newest store is the second CANNABIS XPRESS location in New Brunswick. The retail chain was also the first private cannabis store to open in the province in June 2023. CANNABIS XPRESS currently has 14 locations in Ontario.
SECOND IN NB…………
Later this week, the Brampton-based CANNABIS XPRESS chain of QSR-style cannabis stores opens its second location in New Brunswick. The new location, a 1542 square foot end unit is in the Hampton Mall, an open grocery-anchored strip plaza at 454 Main St. in Hampton in Southern New Brunswick. Positioned adjacent to the NB Liquor store, the new CANNABIS XPRESS features about 750 square feet of retail area. The chain’s first New Brunswick location opened in Grand Bay-Westfield in Southern New Brunswick in mid-2023. The 16th location for the three-year-old chain, the CANNABIS XPRESS concept is designed to emphasize speed and convenience with a streamline product selection. The units operate in smaller, conveniently located stores in small to medium sized towns and cities that have limited or no competition. Owner Chris Jones continues to source highly visible locations, both in Ontario and New Brunswick, generally under 1,000 square feet.
NAVIGATING CANANBIS REGULATIONS: A GUIDE FOR RETAIL STORE OWNERS
CANNABIS XPRESS explores cannabis regulations on a high level and explains some important topics including: licensing and compliance, age verification protocols, product packaging and labeling, inventory control reporting, advertising and marketing restrictions, social responsibility and community engagement, full article on page 24.
Cannabis stores in Durham Region try to carve out a piece of the market
Durham Region as seen the number of cannabis stores boom in the six years since marijuana was legalized. Store owners say it’s a tough fight for small businesses, and some say larger cannabis companies are undermining their success. In Clarington there are 13 cannabis stores, with eight in Ajax, 14 in Pickering, four in Scugog, four in Brock, four in Uxbridge, and 34 in Oshawa, according to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Whitby opted out at the time of legalization. Chris Jones, president of CANNABIS XPRESS, says despite the saturated market, it’s a “fairly friendly, healthy competition.”
CANNABIS STRAINS DEMYSTIFIED
CANNABIS XPRESS explores the different strains available and breaks them down for readers to understand, including indica, hybrid, sativa, CNB-dominate strains specialty strains and terpenes, full article on page 28.
PRODUCT SELECTION FOR SMALL CANNABIS STORES
CANNABIS XPRESS dives deep into the world of small cannabis stores and explains how to select products when you are limited in space, full article on pages 24-25.
CONTINUES ON & NB SEARCH……….
With the opening of the first CANNABIS XPRESS location outside of Ontario in mid-June, in Grand Bay-Westfield in Southern New Brunswick, owner Chris Jones is now searching for locations in the St. Andrews in Southwest New Brunswick and in Hampton in Southern New Brunswick area. Like its previous locations, the CANNABIS XPRESS concept emphasizes speed and convenience with a streamline product selection and locates in smaller, conveniently located stores in small to medium sized towns and cities that have limited or no competition. Jones continues to source highly visible locations, both in Ontario and New Brunswick, generally under 1,000 square feet and adds that he is also seeking a real estate broker/consultants to assist with the site selection for the corporately owned chain. In operation since Spring 2021, CANNABIS XPRESS operates 14 of the ‘QSR-style’ locations in smaller markets in Ontario, and the one location in New Brunswick.
Ask a Bud: What to Know When Shopping for Cannabis for the First Time
Budtenders share insight into what to expect when consuming cannabis for the first time. Find out what products are first-timer friendly and what you can do to try and create a positive experience for yourself. Learn everything you need to know about going to a retail store or shopping online for cannabis.
First private sellers enter N.B. cannabis market
New Brunswick’s first private cannabis shop has opened in Grand Bay-Westfield, ushering in a new era for Cannabis NB’s strategy for the sector.
CANNABIS XPRESS | Cannabis Retailer Spotlight
In the fall of 2022, Cannabis NB ended a process to approve private cannabis retail locations in underserved communities and, almost a year later, we are proud to share that one of our valued retail partners, CANNABIS XPRESS has become New Brunswick’s first privately-owned cannabis store as of June 14, 2023. This is a significant milestone for CANNABIS XPRESS and we are excited to celebrate their achievements.
Chris Jones figured out the secret to succeeding in cannabis
As the cannabis market in Ontario continues its fifth year since legalization, sobering statistics have some businesses feeling that the grass isn’t greener on the other side. A July 2023 report details that store counts in the province have risen by nearly 40% while the average monthly sales have declined by 20%.
CANNABIS XPRESS - FEATURED RETAILER
Chris Jones took a different tact than others when opening cannabis retail stores – and his success has so far proven the business model works.
CANNABIS PROSPECT MAGAZINE
Featuring an interview about attracting and retaining staff in a competitive retail market by CANNABIS XPRESS president Chris Jones on page 20. Take a look below by clicking the link.
First-Ever Private Sellers Enter N.B. Cannabis Market
GRAND BAY-WESTFIELD — New Brunswick’s first private cannabis shop has opened in Grand Bay-Westfield, ushering in a new era for Cannabis NB’s strategy for the sector.
FIRST PRIVATE CANNABIS STORE IN NEW BRUNSWICK: WATCH
CANNABIS XPRESS makes the news in Atlantic Canada on June 14th 2024, celebrating their grand opening in Grand Bay-Westfield near St. John. Watch the video below.
FIRST OF THREE IN NB……
This week, the CANNABIS XPRESS chain of cannabis stores opens its 15th location and its second opening in 2023. This latest opening for the two-year-old chain, the 1100 square foot freestanding location on Woolastook Drive and River Valley Drive in Southern New Brunswick, is the chain’s first location outside of Ontario.
NEW BRUNSWICK'S FIRST PRIVATE CANNABIS STORE TO OPEN JUNE 14, 2023
CANNABIS XPRESS, located in Grand Bay-Westfield, a town of about 5,000 located 15 minutes outside of Saint John, is the first of up to ten private retail locations that the province opened up applications for in 2022.
Cannabis Xpress CEO Chris Jones Keeps it Simple
Utilizing a strategy that puts a road-less-traveled philosophy into literal practice, Toronto-based CANNABIS XPRESS has placed its current 14 (soon to be 15) cannabis retail stores in less-populated areas of Ontario that other retailers have all but ignored.
DEVELOPERS AND CHaINS:
FIRST OF 2023
CANNABIS XPRESS chain of cannabis stores opens its first store in 2023 in Delhi, a small community located about 20 kilometers east of Tillsonburg in Southwestern Ontario. The 740 square foot street front location is at 158 Main Street of Dehli in the downtown area.
Ask a Bud:
Getting Ready to Grow Outdoors
From selecting the right seeds to planting seedlings outside, there’s lots to consider when it comes to growing cannabis outdoors in Ontario. To help you get started, we asked budtenders at CANNABIS XPRESS, for some growing basics.
DEVELOPERS AND CHaINS: SEEKS BROKER/CONSULTANT
Just five weeks since opening its location in North Pickering, east of Toronto, Chris Jones, Owner of the CANNABIS XPRESS, reports that the chain’s 13th location is set to open next week. The 940 square foot unit opens on November 18th in the plaza at 2333 Church St. at Perkins Dr. in North Gower, a community located about 44-kilometres south of Ottawa in Eastern Ontario.
The Voice Of Retail PodCast:
THRIVING WITH SPEED AND SIZE
Serial entrepreneur Chris Jones, Founder of CANNABIS XPRESS, tells us why his high quality, high speed and low prices model has seen him grow to more than a dozen retail stores in Ontario despite cannabis retail industry consolidation.
Cova Facilitates Quick Service for this Cannabis Store Chain
With thirteen profitable stores and more opening soon, Chris has been able to execute his vision of the ‘future of cannabis retail’ with flying colors. Cova recently caught up with Jones to learn more about the secrets to their success and how Cova’s retail tech solutions have helped this Ontario cannabis retailer become one of the industry’s most profitable businesses.
DEVELOPERS AND CHAINS:
ONE OR TWO MORE in '22
Introduced in Spring 2021, the CANNABIS XPRESS chain of stores opened its twelfth location over the weekend at 1692 Central St at Old Brock Rd. in the Claremont community in North Pickering, in the Durham County, east of Toronto.
DEVELOPERS AND CHAINS: ...MAKES IT A DOZEN
The 18-month-old CANNABIS XPRESS chain continues its rapid expansion with its next opening later this week in a plaza location at 5005 Steeles Ave East at Brimley Rd. in Scarborough. This is the chain’s eleventh location since its launch in April 2021, with number twelve on the way.
DEVELOPERS AND CHAINS:
RAPID SMALL-TOWN GROWTH
Chris Jones, Owner of the growing CANNABIS XPRESS chain reports that the tenth store opens next week in Hampton, a community in the Clarington municipality east of Toronto. The unit is located at 1648 Taunton Rd. in a convenience plaza at Durham Regional Rd. 4 and Enfield Rd. in Hampton. The 600 square foot store with about 300 square feet of retail area is now open with in-store shopping and curbside pickup.
SIMCOE.COM: "IDEAL LOCATION" CANNABIS XPRESS OPENS IN BEETON
Community now has 2 retail stores, but CANNABIS XPRESS is the newest in the New Tecumseth region. Offering a curated selection at great prices to locals, you can read more by clicking below – or come visit the store right in the heart of downtown Beeton.
TORONTO STAR:
Cannabis Xpress opens in Beeton
Beeton’s newest business will officially open its doors on March 10, with a grand opening. CANNABIS XPRESS is located on Main Street in the heart of downtown Beeton. The store has a wide selection of cannabis products and accessories.
DEVELOPERS AND CHAINS:
TARGETS SMALL COMMUNITIES
Owner Chris Jones explains that plans call for 15 to 20 locations operating by the end of 2022. The search continues for highly visible location, under 1000 square feet, in small-medium sized cities and towns across Ontario that have little or no competition in the area. The CANNABIS XPRESS stores are merchandised to feature limited product choices with an emphasis placed on speed and convenience in the smaller, clean and convenient locations.
The Peak:
The Peak's 2022 Emerging Leaders
We celebrate the success of our own. Recently, Chris Jones, president of CANNABIS XPRESS, was awarded the distinction of 2022 Emerging Leader in the Food, Drink, and Consumer Products Category. See more emerging leaders or read more about this designation below!
CANNABIS PROSPECT MAGAZINE: FIVE WAYS TO MAXIMIZE CANNABIS RETAIL SPACE
Focusing on accessible, quick, and easy cannabis access is only part of the solution. President of CANNABIS XPRESS, Chris Jones, shares some advice on operating cannabis retail in a highly competitive market. With 9 stores already up and running, this is only the beginning. Click below and check out page 30 for the full article.
DEVELOPERS AND CHAINS:
CONTINUES SMALL TOWN SEArCH
.Not yet a year old, the CANNABIS XPRESS chain of boutique cannabis stores opens its eighth location later this week. The 1,200 square foot unit with about 400 feet of retail space opens at 237 Josephine St. in Wingham in Southwestern Ontario. Wingham is a community in North Huron in Southwestern Ontario. Due to current safety measures, the store will open with online ordering and curbside pickup. The CANNABIS XPRESS chain focuses on the smaller, underserved Ontario markets with a format that features limited product choices with an emphasis placed on speed and convenience in the smaller, clean and convenient locations
developers & chains: More by mid-January
News release from December 2021 about the seventh and eighth CANNABIS XPRESS stores. Store seven will be opening up in Wingham, Ontario and store eight will be opening in Brampton, Ontario. These convenient locations will serve customers who want to purchase their cannabis products and accessories fast! CANNABIS XPRESS provides an easy and affordable shopping experience across Ontario.
Globe and Mail: Cannabis retailers test smaller ‘express’ stores to reduce overhead costs as competition soars
Chris Jones says he operates the smallest cannabis store in Canada. Located in Brampton, Ont., just outside Toronto, it is 350 square feet in total – roughly equivalent to the size of a small bachelor apartment. But the actual retail space, where customers can see products on display and order them, is a mere 80 square feet.
Simcoe news: ‘Not every store will survive’: Does Wasaga Beach have too many cannabis retailers?
Simcoe News interviews Chris Jones to get his opinion on the oversaturation of cannabis retail stores in certain areas of Ontario, in particular – Wasaga Beach.
Ontario Cannabis store: Strength in Numbers: How Independent Retailers Support Each Other for Mutual Success
The Ontario Cannabis Store published a featured article, which includes CANNABIS XPRESS. From sharing information to pumping each other up on social, meet some indie Retailers who have found ways to work together so everybody wins.
Mjbizdaily: Ontario making cannabis delivery permanent for province’s 1,000-plus stores
Chris Jones, founder and president of CANNABIS XPRESS, said the legislative move will prompt some stores to start offering delivery, but it is not a service all retailers should build into their business models.
ADcann: Trailblazers with Chris Jones of CANNABIS XPRESS
This week’s Trailblazer is Chris Jones, Founder of CANNABIS XPRESS. With 7+ locations- they offer a quick, easy, hassle-free cannabis shopping experience!
TED ROGERS SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT: CELEBRATING AN ACHIEVEMENT
Chris Jones, the founder of CANNABIS XPRESS receives an award from Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management. He received this award because of his professional and academic accomplishments, including the creation of CANNABIS XPRESS.
cannabis prospect magazine: A New Retail Model
developers & chains: sixth CX Store Opening
News release from September 2021 about the sixth CANNABIS XPRESS store launch in Ridgetown, ON! This convenient location serves customers who want to purchase their cannabis products and accessories fast! CANNABIS XPRESS provides an easy and affordable shopping experience in the Ridgetown area.
Toronto star: Cannabis store set to open doors in Ridgetown in September
A news article about the upcoming CANNABIS XPRESS retail cannabis dispensary in Ridgetown, Ontario. Learn what sets us apart – Ridgetown, we can’t wait to become a part of your community.
developers & chains: Fifth CX Store Opening
News release from July 2021 about the fifth CANNABIS XPRESS store launch in Port Hope, ON! This convenient location serves customers who want to purchase their cannabis products and accessories fast! CANNABIS XPRESS provides an easy and affordable shopping experience in the Port Hope area.
MJ Biz Daily: Why Ontario marijuana retail operator Cannabis Xpress is betting on tiny stores
News release from April 2021 about the first CANNABIS XPRESS store launch in Brampton, ON! This store has served as our retail model and cornerstone of our dispensary business as we’ve grown. Customers love the fast, easy cannabis dispensary experience in the Brampton area.
Simcoe News: Wasaga’s newest cannabis retailer offers convenience, low prices
The Mayor and City Council of Wasaga beach cut the ribbon at CANNABIS XPRESS Wasaga! This is big news for Wasaga Beach – previously customers could only access cannabis legally through overpriced dispensaries. Now they can come by our pick-up location for a better experience and more affordable pricing on the products they already enjoy.
Developers and Chains: First CX Store Opening
Ontario Cannabis Store: Meet an Authorized Cannabis Retailer Dedicated to Making Their Stores Accessible and Inclusive
Read through this feature on inclusive and accessible cannabis retail in Ontario. We are working hard to make sure all customers can be served at CANNABIS XPRESS in a simple, efficient, inclusive and accessible manner. If you have any other suggestions on what we can do, please contact us!
DEVELOPERS AND CHAINS:
CONTINUES SMALL TOWN SEArCH
Not yet a year old, the CANNABIS XPRESS chain of boutique cannabis stores opens its eighth location later this week. The 1200 square foot unit with about 400 feet of retail space opens at 237 Josephine St. in Wingham in Southwestern Ontario. Wingham is a community in North Huron in Southwestern Ontario. Due to current safety measures, the store will open with online ordering and curbside pickup. The CANNABIS XPRESS chain focuses on the smaller, underserved Ontario markets with a format that features limited product choices with an emphasis placed on speed and convenience in the smaller, clean and convenient locations.
