The music that plays aloud over the grocery store speakers or in a favorite coffee shop has the power to transform a shop’s atmosphere, but customers might not stop to think about who gets the aux in these everyday retail settings.
In local shops especially, music can play a powerful role in setting the ambiance. Small boutiques, grocers and cafes have to think about what kind of music their customers enjoy listening to and how those tunes might impact a shopper’s mood.
In Brew Ha-Ha, a Baton Rouge coffee shop, the baristas get to create the playlists and curate the songs that play softly over the speakers. Audrey Morris, a barista at Brew Ha-Ha for over two years, enjoys getting to select the music because of its impact on both the cafe’s customers and workers.
“It’s nice to be able to work and listen to stuff that you like,” Morris said. It kind of calms your mind a little bit. Sometimes it gets really busy in here and having your favorite songs blaring in the background can kind of help you focus.”
She says they typically play a lot of Mazzy Star and similar artists to keep the environment in Brew Ha-Ha calm for studiers. Customers even approach Morris to praise the music and will ask for the names of their playlists.
“We have a lot of regulars that come in every few days, and a lot of them like when we play older music like ‘60s and ‘70s rock,” Morris said. “Anything like that, like soft rock, they comment on it a lot.”
Unlike Brew Ha-Ha, some stores intentionally steer clear from music that’s too calm or slow. Koko Zdan, a manager at vintage clothing store Time Warp, leans towards music that is upbeat and fun like Rhianna radio.
Zdan feels that having a more cheerful, higher energy soundtrack can help get shoppers excited and bring up the overall energy in the boutique.
“It just makes people want to have fun and want to shop,” Zdan said. I just like to make the vibe for the day.”
Like Time Warp and Brew Ha-Ha, Baton Rouge grocery store Calandro’s Supermarket, gives its managers and employees control over the music each day. Emily Allen, a manager at the market, says they tend to pick familiar and family-friendly playlists that will cater to their wide range of shoppers. She notices a difference in the energy of the customers when Calandro’s is playing music versus when the store is quiet.
“I think whenever it’s super quiet in here it can be a little sleepy,” Allen said. We typically don’t keep it like that. When you’re in the store and you hear a song you like or a song you know, it can make your experience better.”
Allen noticed she gets particularly positive feedback from customers when she plays ‘70s rock and ‘80s dance music. She knows that music is an important part of the shopping experience when she sees shoppers humming along to the songs and dancing in the isles.
In many shops, music doesn’t fade to the background as much as one would think. Store soundtracks set the tone for a customer’s experience and give employees some creative freedom at work.
