The psychological aspect of sales is often ignored by smaller businesses as research and implementation of such tactics can be costly and time consuming.  However, there is one tactic you can use to influence retail sales with a minimal investment.  Believe it or not, simply playing the right kind of music at your establishment can have a profound impact on revenue.

Atmosphere

Instead of the noise of air conditioners and other machinery, music brings your entire décor together and establishes the vibe of your small business. For example, dentists traditionally use calming music in their waiting rooms to create a relaxed atmosphere in a place that can cause significant stress for the majority of the population. In the retail world your music choices should mirror the image you wish to achieve and the likes of your ideal customer.

Customer Behavior

Music has a subconscious effect on consumers that can influence them to spend more time in your store and even more money on your merchandise. When you’re playing music that your customer base enjoys they are likely to stay around longer. Even a few extra minutes to finish listening to a favorite song could mean they spot an item they would like to purchase. Some research may be needed to discover the tastes of your ideal customer. Including a question regarding their favorite music genre or performer on a simple customer survey will give you some insights.

Repeat Business

When a customer hears music that they enjoy in a retail store, they establish a connection between that song and their location. This can cause them to associate your store with that same good feeling they get when hearing their favorite music. This makes it more likely that they’ll have a positive view of your establishment, refer business to others and become a loyal, repeat customer.

Employee Morale

Most people love music and having tunes going in your store can make monotonous tasks like cleaning and stocking feel less tedious. Music can also help to establish employee relationships over mutual musical interests. It may even spark a healthy debate that leads to innovative business ideas. Get your staff involved when it comes to choosing your music and allow everyone’s tastes to be considered. When employee morale is high you create more effective salespeople and a positive customer experience.

Productivity

There are many studies proving the positive effects that music has on productivity. Certain types of music perform better in different settings and each genre can have its own result. The right music choices can make your staff more productive and encourage creativity. This aids in brainstorming and idea sharing, which can bring a myriad of benefits. An idea sparked from a song lyric or particular classical music piece could have an effect on your profitability.

Implementation

Playing music in your retail store isn’t as easy as turning on the radio or popping in a CD. You will need to purchase a subscription service that provides the proper licensing for the music being played. This protects you from copyright infringement and other legal troubles. There are several different services to choose from and packages to fit your line of business. As a last bit of advice, you as the owner should be the final decision maker on what music is playing in your store to ensure nothing inappropriate is coming through your speakers.

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