I grocery shop daily- its the damn vegan thing. I can't buy cans of food I cant do well with shelf life anything so my butt pushes a cart daily just to survive. On a recent trip I stopped dead in the aisle, almond butter in hand cuz I heard……The Clash.
Now back in the old days they would pump in some instrumental 'muzak' renditions of romantic classics or pop songs but uh uh. no more. Now retailers are manipulating your cheese, my friends. They're using the power of music to speed you up, slow you down, get you pumped and otherwise engaged. C'mon in and hang out awhile, bet you didn't realize you needed more basmati rice, didja? Well slap on some Heart and I bet you a million bucks you'll be heading for the Lean Cuisine section.
Ever since seeing the film "Food Inc.", grocery stores have become the X File conspiracy theory from hell but the music thing- now that's just plain brilliant.
According to an article in Time Magazine:
One rule seems clear for retail soundscapes: slow is good. As people's biorhythms often mirror the sounds around them, a gently meandering mix of classical musicor soothing ambient noise encourages shoppers to slow down and relax. an unhurried consumer is exactly what retailers want. "If customers are moving less quickly, they're more likely to engage with a product and make a purchase."
Shopping psychologist Denison says growing competition for the attention of time-pressed consumers will force businesses to focus more on the total sensory experience they provide: "Retailers will have to make their stores more stimulating." The message, loud and clear: master the senses, and pump up the sales volume.
So what's up with the Clash? In that same trip I heard Hootie and The Blowfish, and Paul Simon. I suppose its programmed to the clientele, so high five on Mick Jones for hel, thanks!. Here are som more interesting things that the mean mean marketing man has learned about you when you were just a cute guy buying light bulbs…
Loud music causes customers to move through a supermarket more quickly, without reducing sales volume
Low-tempo music causes shoppers to move slowly, but they also buy more. Similarly at restaurants, slow music causes people to take their time but buy more.
Classical music versus Top 40 music at a wine store increases sales and leads customers to buy more expensive merchandise.
However, classical music makes people think of a store as expensive, and this isn't right in all contexts
People perceive a shorter wait time when they hear music that they like
I buy the same things every day so I suppose Im not too far swayed.. though I don't mind busting a move in the produce aisle when Kool and The Gang come on.