This Week in Retail: 4/20 and March retail sales

The Black Friday of cannabis is today, and cannabis retailers across the (legalized) United States are celebrating. In New York City, the state’s first dispensary, Housing Works Cannabis Co, is teaming up with Magnolia Bakery to release a special lineup of edibles. Meanwhile, San Francisco has canceled its 420 party on Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park for the third time in a row due to lack of funding.

Indeed, the “high holiday” is hardly a surefire bet for cannabis retailers. In 2025, the event generated $50 million in sales, according to cannabis data analytic firm Headset, which was down 42% from the year before. The dropoff could have been a timing issue, however, given that in 2024, the holiday landed on a Saturday and in 2025 fell on Easter Sunday, a more traditional holiday to be sure.

Here’s what else is going on in retail this week:

In data releases: The retail sales numbers for March are due out this Tuesday. The US Census Bureau’s last report showed retail sales ticking up 0.6% month over month and 3.7% YoY in February, with nonstore retail sales growing 7.5% and food service and drinking places growing 5.2% from the year before.

There are indicators that March was a better month than expected given many of the headwinds facing consumers. Released last week, the National Retail Federation and CNBC’s monthly Retail Monitor showed total retail sales increasing 0.4% month over month and 6.59% YoY, marking six consecutive months of growth. NRF CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement the first wave of tax refunds helped offset the spike in gas prices, noting that despite high inflation and low sentiment consumers continued to spend on household priorities.

In conferences: A niche corner of the retail industry is meeting in Las Vegas this week for the annual NAMA Show. NAMA stands for the National Automatic Merchandising Association, which represents convenience services companies such as micro markets, vending, coffee and pantry services. The event’s website says the show offers “tailored insights, groundbreaking technology, the latest products and niche networking opportunities for operators and professionals in convenience services.”