AXIS recently hosted a two-day in-store sampling activation at Cookies Dispensary in Tempe, Arizona, giving customers and store employees the opportunity to experience the brand, sample the full product lineup and learn how the AXIS twist-to-activate cap works.
Held on July 24 and July 25 at the Cookies location on South Hardy Drive, the activation brought together product sampling, food, giveaways, branded apparel and customer education in a lively retail environment.
The response from both shoppers and the Cookies team was overwhelmingly positive. Following the success of the event, AXIS is returning to the location for additional weekly activations designed to keep building awareness, encourage product trial and support continued sell-through.
More Than a Traditional Product Sampling
The Cookies Tempe activation was designed to create a complete brand experience rather than simply hand customers a sample and send them on their way.
Guests were invited to try AXIS products while learning about the differences between the three flavors:
- Strawberry Surge features a strawberry flavor with plant-powered caffeine and vitamins B3, B5 and B12.
- Mango Mood Boost combines a tropical mango flavor with CBD, CBG and electrolytes.
- Tropical Berry Bliss pairs tropical berry flavor with CBD, CBN, L-theanine, chamomile and lavender.
Each product is sugar-free, THC-free, third-party lab tested and made without preservatives or artificial flavors.
Customers were also shown the signature AXIS cap experience: twist, release, shake and enjoy. The interactive cap became an important part of the activation because it gave customers something memorable to see, try and talk about while sampling the product.
Free Samples, Food, Gifts and Branded Apparel
To make the event feel welcoming and engaging, AXIS provided more than product samples.
Customers received free pizza, refreshments, prizes, branded apparel and additional giveaways throughout the activation. These added elements helped draw attention to the display, encouraged customers to spend more time with the brand and created opportunities for meaningful conversations about the products.
The combination of sampling and entertainment helped turn an ordinary retail visit into a more memorable experience. For AXIS, that is an important part of supporting retail partners. The goal is not simply to place products on a shelf. The brand works to create reasons for customers to stop, engage, sample and purchase.
Positive Feedback From Customers and Employees
One of the strongest indicators of the activation’s success was the reaction from both Cookies customers and employees.
Customers responded positively to the flavors, packaging and interactive cap technology. Many were introduced to AXIS for the first time during the event and were able to compare the full three-product lineup before deciding which option best fit their preferences.
Cookies team members also embraced the activation and had the opportunity to become more familiar with the products. That employee engagement is especially valuable because knowledgeable store associates are better prepared to answer customer questions and explain what makes AXIS different from other products in the cooler.
The enthusiastic response from the store and its customers led to an immediate decision to continue the partnership through additional weekly activations.
Returning for More Weekly Activations
Because of the strong turnout and positive feedback, AXIS is returning to Cookies Tempe for more in-store events each week. These recurring activations will give new customers the chance to discover the brand while reinforcing familiarity among previous attendees. They also allow the AXIS team to continue supporting the store through sampling, education, giveaways and on-site promotion.
Repeated in-store engagement can be particularly valuable for a new product because customers often need to see or try a brand more than once before making it part of their regular purchasing routine.
By returning consistently, AXIS can continue building awareness at the store level while giving Cookies a dependable activation partner that is committed to supporting the account after the initial placement.
How AXIS Supports Retail Partners
The Cookies Tempe activation reflects the type of retail support AXIS aims to provide to additional dispensaries, convenience stores, wellness retailers, smoke shops and specialty beverage locations.
Retail support may include:
- In-store product sampling
- Employee product education
- Branded apparel and customer giveaways
- Food and promotional incentives
- Social media promotion
- Location-specific content
- Digital advertising around participating stores
- Product photography and event coverage
- Recurring activation schedules
This approach helps retailers introduce AXIS to customers in a way that is interactive, informative and easy to understand. The compact 2oz format also gives stores flexibility in how the products are merchandised. AXIS can be placed in refrigerated beverage coolers, wellness sections, checkout areas or alongside other functional and hemp-derived products.
Creating Value Beyond the Shelf
Retailers are constantly evaluating products based on more than packaging and wholesale pricing. They also want to know whether a brand will help create demand, educate customers and contribute to the overall store experience.
The Cookies Tempe event demonstrated how AXIS can bring additional energy into a retail environment while supporting customer trial and employee familiarity.
Rather than relying solely on passive shelf placement, AXIS works directly with retailers to create customized launch and sampling opportunities. These events give shoppers a reason to engage with the brand and give stores additional promotional content they can share across their own social channels.
The result is a collaborative retail relationship built around visibility, education and consistent support.
Expanding the AXIS Retail Footprint
AXIS launched in June 2026 and is already beginning to gain traction with select retailers across Arizona, New York, New Jersey and Florida.
The successful Cookies Tempe activation represents an important step in the brand’s retail growth and provides a model that can be repeated at additional locations.
AXIS is currently seeking partnerships with dispensaries, convenience stores, smoke shops, health and wellness retailers, specialty beverage stores, delivery platforms and regional distributors.
Retailers interested in carrying AXIS can request product samples, wholesale information, laboratory documentation and details about available in-store activation support.
Bring the AXIS Experience to Your Store
The Cookies Tempe sampling event showed what can happen when product placement is supported by customer interaction, education and a well-executed in-store experience. AXIS is prepared to work with new retail partners to create similar activations tailored to their stores, customers and local markets.
To learn more about carrying AXIS or scheduling an in-store sampling event, contact:
John Wallace
Operations Manager, AXIS
john@twisttoaxis.com
