Barneys New York Introduces “The High End,” a Luxury Cannabis Lifestyle Concept
On February 12, 2019, Barneys New York announced that it would become the first major retailer to open a dedicated cannabis‑focused shop inside one of its flagship stores. Dubbed “The High End,” the concept is set to launch in March 2019 on the fifth floor of the Beverly Hills location, marking a notable expansion of the retailer’s product assortment beyond high‑end fashion and accessories.
Partnership with Beboe Shapes the Offering
The shop is a collaboration with Los Angeles‑based cannabis company Beboe, known for its premium vaporizer pens, pastilles, and CBD‑infused goods. According to Daniella Vitale, Barneys’ CEO and president, the initiative aligns with the retailer’s longstanding reputation for spotting cultural shifts: “Barneys New York has always been at the forefront of shifts in culture and lifestyle, and cannabis is no exception.” She added that many of Barneys’ customers already incorporate cannabis into their routines, and The High End aims to serve them with the same level of service and curation found throughout the store.
Scott Campbell, Beboe’s co‑founder, expressed enthusiasm about placing cannabis products in a prestigious environment: “I’m so thrilled that cannabis culture has come so far that it can exist and feel perfectly at home in such a prestigious context as Barneys New York.” Campbell also noted that the partnership reflects Barneys’ willingness to push creative boundaries in retail.
Product Range and In‑Store Experience
The High End will feature a selection of accessories and lifestyle items created exclusively for the concept. These include rolling papers, leather ashtrays, storage boxes, and custom‑made blown‑glass pipes. In addition, the shop will offer Beboe’s vaporizer pens, pastilles, and a variety of CBD products. Select accessories will also be made available for purchase through Barneys’ website, extending the reach beyond the physical store.
Visitors to the Beverly Hills location will have the opportunity to consult directly with Beboe representatives. For those who prefer a more private shopping experience, the retailer has arranged a white‑glove delivery service through Emjay, allowing customers to receive their purchases discreetly at home.
Market Context and Future Expansion
California legalized recreational cannabis in 2016, and the state’s legal market has grown rapidly. Data from New Frontier Data indicated that California’s cannabis sales surpassed $3 billion in 2018, making it the largest state market in the United States. By entering this space, Barneys positions itself at the intersection of luxury retail and a rapidly evolving consumer sector.
Even before the March opening, Barneys signaled plans to expand The High End to additional locations should the pilot prove successful. This approach mirrors the retailer’s history of testing innovative concepts in flagship stores before rolling them out more broadly.
The original reporting on this announcement can be found Here
