Music is the soundtrack to our lives and can have a huge impact on how we feel and behave; in the words of the great Hans Charistian Anderson, “Where words fail, music speaks.” Research shows our brains benefit from music; for example, it helps to improve mood, reduces stress and anxiety and improves cognitive function. It also has a positive impact on other areas of our health, such as improved sleep and boosting our immune systems.
This blog post looks at the main benefits of playing music in your retail premises and the options for doing this.
5 Benefits of Playing Music in a Shop
Music is one of the most accessible and powerful marketing tools available to shop owners. It’s easy to set up once you’ve got the tech that enables you to play tunes or radio in the way you want. But why is it so important to play background music in shops? Read on to find out
Improve Customer Comfort
Imagine walking into a shop and being greeted by silence. That feels uncomfortable, doesn’t it? This is because the absence of sound amplifies all other sounds from the shuffle of feet or unwelcome body noises to the whisper of conversation. Silence is a surefire way to make customers feel self-conscious, leading to them leaving sooner.
If you want your customers to spend more money, you need them to stay in your store for longer, and creating an atmosphere that helps do that is key.
Background music fills the void created by silence by providing a comforting buffer and a sense of privacy. It invites customers to relax, browse, and immerse themselves in the experience.
Top tip: Try softer music or upbeat pop if you want to create a positive shopping experience
Stand Out From Competitors
In a saturated market, standing out for the right reasons is crucial. Background music offers a powerful means of setting your business apart from competitors.
When you select music that reflects your brand’s unique personality and the experience you are offering, you can transform your space from just being a location to shop into a distinctive destination.
The right background music will mirror customer expectations, fostering a subtle yet deeper emotional engagement.
This connection is invaluable. Engaged customers are more likely to think positively about your brand, make purchases, tell their friends and family and return time and time again.
From upbeat pop melodies to the soothing rhythms of classical compositions, the right background track can transform a casual browser into a loyal customer.
Playing Music to Increase Sales
Beyond filling the silence and elevating customer experience, background music in shops can also influence customer spending. For example, slower tempos encourage a more leisurely pace and increase the time and money spent in your shop.
Research has shown that the right music can increase spending by up to 10% on certain days of the week. For example, food shoppers are more likely to be tired if they shop during the working week, so the right type of music that lifts their mood can encourage impulse buys or product upgrades.
Top tip: The tempo, genre, and volume of background music all play a role in influencing your customer to buy, so make sure these reflect what you’re selling.
Background Music Helps Foster Social Interactions
Background music is a fantastic social lubricant. It smooths the way for interactions and engagement between customers and employees. In the absence of music, conversations can feel uncomfortable and conspicuous.
A great musical backdrop creates a relaxed environment that encourages customers to engage with staff, ask questions and buy your products.
Positive social interactions are foundational to customer service excellence. They lead to higher satisfaction rates and improved sales figures.
Increasing Employee Productivity
The benefits of music aren’t limited to your customers. A pleasant work environment, enhanced by music, can boost employee morale and productivity. Happy employees are more likely to interact with customers and provide better service and shopping experiences. Helping shoppers to feel valued and wanting to spend more.
Studies have shown that employees prefer music over silence, which helps them feel engaged with their work and decreases feelings of boredom.
Creating an Affordable Music Library
Many business owners are hesitant about playing background music due to the high cost of the PRS PPL Music Licence. A legal requirement if you’re playing copyrighted music in your shop.
For example, the cost of a music licence for a very small shop (up to 50 sq metres in size) is £396.60 inc VAT per year. That’s a lot. Particularly in today’s climate of rising costs for everything from fuel to materials.
The great news is that there is a legal alternative to having a music licence. Royalty-free music enables you to enhance your customers’ experience without the expense. You can legally play it without paying PPL PRS for a music licence as the music isn’t registered with them, so they don’t collect royalty payments for the artists.
That doesn’t mean the music creators don’t get paid when their music is used. They do. But it’s done through a music licensing company when a flat fee is paid, rather than being paid each time a track is played.
Playing royalty-free music in shops is much cheaper for retailers and is a more straightforward process with a monthly or annual subscription.
By opting for royalty-free music, you reap all the benefits of background music without significant financial outlay. You could save hundreds with a Background Sounds music subscription.
Royalty-Free Music for Shops with Background Sounds
We provide an extensive library of high-quality, royalty-free music that’s tailored to fit your business. With over 50 expertly curated playlists covering everything from pop and dance to Jazz and chill, there’s something to suit all retail premises. You’ll never be stuck for something new to play, ensuring your business enjoys the advantages of music, cost-effectively and legally.
Embracing royalty-free music not only aligns with savvy business practices but also ensures your customer experience remains first-class. But don’t just take our word for it. Sign up today for a 7-day free trial. Check out the playlists yourself and make sure your audio setup is compatible and that our range of music suits your business.
Summary – 5 Reasons You Need To Play Music in Your Shop
Incorporating music into your business setting goes beyond mere aesthetic appeal. It is an investment that can enhance the atmosphere. Improve customer experience and increase profitability.
From establishing a welcoming environment to fostering emotional connections and distinguishing your brand. The benefits of background music are both clear and compelling.
Lastly, if you can’t justify the cost of paying for a PRS PPL Music Licence the option of playing royalty-free music offers a fantastic alternative. Because it provides all the benefits of playing background music without the expense.
About Us
Background Sounds is a specialist provider of royalty-free music. That’s music you can play without a PRS PPL Music Licence. We supply businesses across the UK with background music at a fraction of the cost of a music licence.
Access to the service is via our digital streaming platform and is available with a subscription. You can find out all you need to know on our home page here.
