To meet growing customer expectations and optimize in-store operations, dispensaries are increasingly embracing technology. One standout innovation is the rise of self-service kiosks, which empower customers to browse products and place orders quickly and independently. Taking this experience to the next level, BLAZE has launched Express Member Validation for its BLAZE ECOM™ Kiosk, adding a seamless layer of personalization and convenience to the self-service journey.
With Express Member Validation enabled, dispensaries can offer a frictionless self-service experience while ensuring customers are receiving AI product recommendations based on their preferences and the ability to accrue and redeem reward points on kiosk orders.
What is Express Member Validation?
Express Member Validation is a feature in the BLAZE ECOM™ Kiosk that automatically validates the customer’s identity using their Date of Birth before accessing the digital menu. By accessing their existing POS profile, customers can unlock the kiosk and begin shopping without needing staff assistance or additional verification steps. Express Member Validation unlocks AI Product Recommendations tied to each customer’s profile—driving larger basket sizes and increased average order value through personalized suggestions.
This process ensures that customers are viewing the kiosk menu in a way that is tailored to their preferences and tracks their loyalty points. This is especially useful for high-traffic locations or dispensaries looking to reduce check-in bottlenecks at the front desk, or lines on the sales floor
How It Works
The process is simple, secure, and designed for ease of use:
- Customer Check-In at Arrival: When customers arrive at the dispensary, staff scan their ID to check them in and confirm their Date of Birth. This automatically adds them to the walk-in customer queue so they can access their member profile at the kiosk.
- Accessing the Kiosk Menu: Once at the kiosk, the customer enters their Date of Birth to access the menu using their member profile. In the rare case there’s more than one customer in the queue with the same birthday, the customer will be prompted to select their name from the list after entering their date of birth.
- Start Shopping: The customer is granted access to the kiosk menu and can see personalized product recommendations, reward points, and even complete their order— all without needing staff intervention. Any orders placed using the kiosk will sync to their purchase history in the point-of-sale.
- Save Your Cart: Customers can save their cart and pick up right where they left off—whether switching to another kiosk or getting assistance from a budtender—ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted shopping experience.
Key Benefits for Retailers and Customers
- Unified Customer Profiles
By adding customers to the queue at check-in, the system updates existing profiles or creates new ones for first-time visitors—eliminating duplicate accounts and ensuring accurate, streamlined customer data across all touchpoints. - Faster and Smoother Check-In Process:
Instant check-in via ID scan adds customers to the queue and links their profile to the kiosk, enabling faster, hassle-free access to personalized shopping and rewards. - Seamless Shopping Experience:
With Customer Verification Mode, the kiosk offers a fully integrated shopping journey. If a customer becomes inactive during their session, their cart is saved so they can resume where they left off without starting over. - Integrated Checkout Flow:
At checkout, the customers can see any discounts automatically applied to their cart and apply earned rewards points. This makes for a quick and satisfying transaction experience. - Reduced Staff Workload:
By allowing customers to shop at their own pace and complete orders independently, dispensaries can reduce pressure on front desk and sales staff — especially during peak hours.
A Step Toward Frictionless Retail
The addition of Express Member Validation to the BLAZE ECOM™ Kiosk is more than just a technical enhancement — it’s a step forward in delivering a truly frictionless, customer-first retail experience. As dispensaries look for ways to optimize operations and offer more autonomy to shoppers, features like this provide a scalable solution that balances compliance, personalization, and convenience.
Whether you operate a high-volume storefront or simply want to enhance the in-store ordering process, enabling Express Member Validation on your kiosks can help modernize your dispensary and meet the expectations of today’s tech-savvy cannabis consumers.
