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Retail | Company Products | Category Normalization

To evolve BLAZE into a data-driven platform, we have transitioned from a "blank slate" category system to a Standardized Cannabis Taxonomy. This initiative implements a global, two-level nested hierarchy (e.g., Concentrates > Wax) that serves as the single source of truth for industry analytics and AI-driven features like the AI Budtender.

Key Features

  • Normalized ID vs. Display Name: Every category maps to a "Normalized Category ID" for backend data hygiene while allowing retailers to maintain a "Custom Name" (Alias) for consumer-facing menus.

  • Two-Level Hierarchy: Supports granular reporting with a parent/child relationship (e.g., Edibles as Parent, Gummies as Child).

  • Automated Seeding: New shops can use a Populate Standard Categories button to auto-fill their system with pre-mapped, industry-standard templates.

  • Lazy Migration: Legacy categories are "grandfathered" in, but mapping is required the moment a category is edited.

How to Map Categories

For existing retailers, the system uses a "Lazy Migration" workflow to standardize data without interrupting daily operations.

  1. Navigate to Company Settings > Categories.

  2. Select a legacy category and click Edit.

  3. In the Edit Category drawer, locate the Normalized Category dropdown.

  4. Use the searchable drill-down list to find the appropriate match.

    NOTE: The UI will display the full "Normalized Path" beneath the selection to ensure the nesting is correct.

  5. Click Save. The system will validate that a normalized ID is selected before allowing the save to complete.

Why Normalization Matters

Standardizing your categories is about Future-Proofing your business. Mapping your data unlocks high-tier BLAZE features, including:

  • Advanced AI Recommendations: Powers the AI Budtender to accurately suggest products to consumers.

  • Cross-Shop Analytics: Enables BLAZE Insights to provide deeper industry trends and benchmark reporting.

  • E-commerce Integration: Provides seamless API connections for partners using standardized parent/child relationships.

Retailer Readiness Checklist

To ensure your data is prepared for the next generation of BLAZE data products, we recommend the following:

  • [ ] Audit Top Categories: Proactively map your top-selling categories in the Company Categories list rather than waiting for an edit trigger.

  • [ ] Standardize New Entries: Ensure all new categories created use the standardized taxonomy from the start.

  • [ ] Review Tooltips: Hover over the info icons in the Category menu to learn more about which normalized path best fits your unique inventory.