I like music in stores, especially small boutiques where it could just be you and the sales associate so I feel like the music makes it less awkward, but I think that regardless of the store the music must be appropriate.The style of music should suit the store and most importantly the volume should be reasonable. Nobody wants to shop in a store where they feel like they can't hear themself think or talk to their shopping partner.
LOL wow really? It has NEVER bothered me.. I actually usually like the music that they play in stores because they usually play hits. I be jammin while im shopping, buying my grocery etc... I can also tune out other customers in the line I think its great!
I totally disagree, if you want to hear music go a music store or a club but I am sick and tired of the music being so loud and obnoxious that I can not even think. I don't mind music quietly playing in the background but when I went into Barnes and Noble yesterday it was screeching so loud after ten minutes I put down everything I had planned to buy and walked out. If I was screeching as loud as the music was I would have probably been told to keep it down. My next shopping trip will be later in the week I am going to take my old boom box with me with a Metallica cd and play it on 100. Let's see how long before I am asked to leave.
Most stores are smart enough to play their music at a reasonable volume so it just provides a pleasant backdrop to shopping, so I don't mind store music. I used to work in a venue though where the music was blasting and no one seemed to know how to turn it down.as it was part of the soundsystem for the whole venue..as luck would have it thought I was working right under the speaker. No one could hear me, nor could I hear anyone else...it was a bit absurd! I hope I don't have permanent ear damage!
The only problem that I have with them playing music in stores is when I hear a song that I really am enjoying and would like to have on my phone or mp3 for personal use, and nobody can tell me what the song is called. it can be very frustrating. If it has lyrics that is a plus, because I can usually google them and find the song, but if it is instrumental, then I am screwed.
I prefer that stores and restaurants play music, as long as it's pleasant and nothing jarring or annoying. But some places do play truly awful music. Many of the Dollar General stores near me blast nothing but country music, which I cannot stand. All the songs sound exactly the same (this is actually true, there are Youtube videos proving this, they all follow the same basic song structure) and the lyrics are corny as hell. I can't bear to stay in the store for much longer than I have to, it literally drives me out of there. Sometimes I wonder if they are doing that on purpose to keep certain demographics of people out of the store, such as teenagers. Save-A-Lot is another place that plays really awful music. I believe that businesses have to pay licensing fees for the music they play in their stores, which would explain why Save-A-Lot's music is all crappy no-name musicians/bands that never made it on to mainstream radio. It's not "indie" music, it just sounds like wanna-be musicians, 2nd rate leftover stuff that tried to break into mainstream but never made it. One reason in particular I like music playing in businesses is when it comes to using the restrooms. In fact I really wish more places would blast the music in restrooms, because I have a shy bladder when using the urinals and cannot go when the room is dead silent and there are other guys in there with me at the same time. It's a sound thing for me, it's so distracting hearing other people pee when I'm trying to do so myself. Also in restaurants, I actually don't mind if the music is loud since it helps drown out other people's conversations. I cannot stand it when we get sat next to some people who are clearly attention whores, and want to put on a "show" for all the other tables around them, as if we're all enthralled with them and their conversations.
It is strange that you mention restaurants. Most of the restaurants that I have ever been to in my life, have not played music, yet when you watch TV and such, they are always playing music in the background when it comes to the characters going to restaurants, and lounges. Places like Starbucks have music when you visit them though, which you would think that restaurants would too. But apparently not, or maybe it is just the restaurants that I have been to lol.
I dont mind music in stores as long as it isn't too loud. I can definitely see how loud music can be a turn off to customers. I also like when the music is holiday themed (for Christmas) or very soft music. I don't like when stores play club music, heavy metal or rock. I've actually walked out of stores because the music was giving me a head ache. I could never work in a store like Abercrombie, the loud music, dark lighting and smell would drive me crazy.
This is funny to me because I never really notice music in stores. Just goes to show you how different people are- something that drives you crazy is something that I don't pay attention to. LOL. There are certain times when I notice songs, though. Usually when it's either a song I like or a super sucky song that makes me stop and say "WTF are they thinking, playing this?" LOL. But generally, no, the music doesn't get on my nerves at all.
I read a study once about how people are different as far as what they respond to, and as far as how people learn best. Some people are far more visual than others, and other people are more sentiment oriented, and then some are a lot more auditory. I am quite auditory, as well as very visual. I notice when music that I dislike is playing, and I also notice when there is a great tune playing out over the speakers.
Music can be distracting. Maybe they are in hopes if you hear your favorite song or songs that you'll forget about that shopping list or the budget you set in place before you got into your car. Business please, please, please pick some good tunes. Just because it is on the radio does not mean it isn't played out.
I don't know if music helps as far as marketing products and getting people to buy more things. But I guess it is a possibility. Psychologists have found stranger things to be true, right? I guess that if care free bubblegum pop music was playing then a certain demographic would be more likely to spend more money, or they would be swayed where they may not have been swayed before?
At my local WalMart, I'm pretty sure that after a certain time, they'll let any employee play what they want on the speaker. Usually, it's some obnoxiously bad hip hop. This is the only music in stores I have a problem with. As long as it doesn't hinder my shopping experience I'm fine with a little music.
Lol. Obnoxiously bad hip hop? Lol. That sounds terrible, and like it would be an awful shopping experience. We don't have WalMarts over here in the UK, but as far as playing hip hop music, most stores do not and will not. It is usually chart music that comes floating out over the speakers in the store - safe music. Or if you are in a lounge type store they will have calming chillout type music. But never hip hop.
I don't really mind music in stores, but I've found that these days the volume at which it's played can be unacceptable. It can get so loud in some stores, that you can feel a headache coming on. I think these types of stores are the ones they're trying too hard to be hip, to attract the younger client base. But if I can hear the music from the outside, I take a detour. I don't like it at all.
Haha, These marketers now- a- days all full of tricks. I wouldn't be surprised with the recent job market changes if some of these product specialists have a psychology background. Like you said, Psychologists have found stranger things- Buyer beware! Recently, I'm hearing more than just bubble gum pop music. Im hearing crude music that has been edited as well.
Is this is the USA? American can be sort of 'wild' but it is still strange for me to try to imagine stores playing hip hop music, unless they are specific types of stores. I find that a lot of stores will cater to their demographic, according to what type of store it is and what they are selling. If it is a retail store, often they will play vacuous bubblegum pop music to appeal to young girls or even young gay guys.
All supermarkets here have the so called pipe-in music that includes some department stores. But they play soft music most of the time and during the Christmas season, naturally they play Christmas songs. I haven't experienced being annoyed by music in the store but I don't like the music in internet cafes because they are rowdy and so loud with their music.
@DreekLass hahaha, Yes! I wasn't trying to offend anyone but yes, I was referring to hip hop. Maybe this issue is only prevalent in the USA. Each brand has a target audience or aura that they like to give off.
