Retail venues.

Retail venues.

“The thing is, I don’t want to be sold to when I walk into a store. I want to be welcomed.”

Angela Ahrendts, FORMER SVP OF RETAIL, APPLE INC.

Retail covers so many environments, from car showrooms, shops, boutiques, furniture stores, supermarkets… you name it, it probably sells something. The demographic of customers can be incredibly varied; is the venue very stylistic and targeted at a specific market or is it an open environment where anyone and everyone might be a customer?

Why not just broadcast the radio? In certain circumstances this can be a great idea and can instantly provide ever-changing listening. But it can be interrupted with too much chat that’s difficult to hear, or if it’s a quick service environment adverts may cover the entire duration of your customer’s visit.

Playlists for retail need to align with brand values and the intended customer experience. Carefully selected playlists can enhance customer perception and enhance your brand. Whether it’s daytime classics, electronic dance, current chart or retro funk, all selections are tested in intentionally poor acoustic environments; lots of background noise, small speakers, and ensuring conversation can be heard. Whilst some retail venues have great sound systems, others may not be so fortunate.

Playlists can also be customised for retail events. Perhaps you’re holding a sale preview evening, or you’re hosting a third party event in your showroom? Or you’re holding an event that ties in with a particular season? Do you run a car showroom with evening viewings for loyal customers?

The sample playlist below is a sample of what works in multiple environments and covers multiple genres. Ideally I would visit your retail venue and align closely with your intentions for the physical premises, be it small luxury boutique with natural materials to trendy clothes stores with digital signage and the very latest technology.