In your retail store, sales matter whether you specialize in bike supplies, video equipment or handmade jewelry. One simple way to increase sales involves music. While music can support your brand’s personality, it can also enhance your customers’ shopping experience. Use these tips as you utilize music to increase sales, too.

Create a Legal Playlist

The songs you add to your playlist may be protected by a copyright, and you could be fined if you play those songs. As you create your playlist, be sure it’s legal.

1. Check to see if the song’s writers have a licensing agreement with BMI, ASCAP or SESAC. To play these songs, you must pay for a license.
2. Avoid a consumer-based streaming service. Streaming services cover the copyright license for the music they play. However, that copyright doesn’t typically extend to commercial clients. Always verify this detail before broadcasting your personal playlist from your computer or favorite music streaming app.
3. Use a commercial music service. Numerous businesses curate licensed music designed specifically for businesses. Choose one of these services to take the guesswork out of creating an effective playlist and to reduce your copyright infringement risk.

Match Music to Your Merchandise

Depending on your brand’s personality and the products you sell, you will want to create a mood that motivates your customers to buy. For example, consumers purchase more expensive merchandise when they hear classical music while shopping. Likewise, upbeat pop hits could encourage teen shoppers to buy, and consider playing music by indie or local artists if you sell handmade items made by local artisans.

Adjust the Volume

Like you use visual content to attract buyers, you can use loud and soft music to your advantage. Loud music can cause people to leave your store quickly without buying anything, especially if they’re older or more sensitive to loud noises. You may be able to increase the volume slightly, though, if you cater to a younger crowd.

Select the Right Tempo

Fast and slow music affects traffic flow and sales. Play music with a fast tempo to speed up heart and breathing rates and make time go fast. Play slow music to calm customers and make them feel that time has slowed down. With tempo, you can improve flow when you play upbeat music, a tactic which may decrease sales but will improve your customers’ experience. Or play slower music to encourage customers to take their time and linger as they browse your merchandise.

Set the Tone

A song’s key contributes to the mood in your store. Music played in a major key features a happy sound that can encourage your customers to feel upbeat and joyful as they shop. Alternatively, songs playing in a minor key create a negative, dismal mood that discourages customers from shopping. Try to keep more upbeat songs in your playlist as you motivate customers to feel happy and spend more money.

Make the Music Disappear

The right playlist features a balance of music that disappears in the background. Popular, current or trendy music distracts customers from the task of shopping. Likewise, you don’t want to fill your store with your favorite show tunes or disco music that may turn off customers who don’t share your love for these genres. Ideally, you want to select unknown, appealing music that actually prompts customers to linger and buy.

In your retail store, the music you choose can affect sales in a positive or negative way. Carefully select your store’s playlist as you manage traffic flow and boost business.