Transforming a space can bring to mind images of sledge hammers and a new paint job. But it doesn’t have to be quite so HGTV. Instead of blasting out a wall or two, a business can be transformed with what is blasting out of the speakers.

How? Great question! Read on for 5 great ways in-store audio can easily transform what goes on in the business.

1. Brings in the right customers

A business space can be made or lost by its customers. If a business is looking for ways to attract its target customer, the answer may just be found in what they have playing from the store’s speakers. Think about it. Customers walk through the mall and hear the same type of songs they played in their cars on the way there. Or they walk into an upscale wine shop and hear beautiful, classical music playing. Since the customer’s preferences come first, what does that target customer want to hear? What will keep them in the shop and encourage them to make a purchase or book a service? A sharp, edgy retail shop, for example, should make sure their playlist reflects its brand and isn’t playing dated tunes. Just incorporating that simple change can have a huge impact on the overall space.

2. Encourages the right flow

It is critical to have the right flow of customer traffic in every type of business, from grocery stores to retail outlets to restaurants and more. The right in-store playlist can help control and manage that very thing. How? By playing songs with the most appropriate tempo and pace. When a customer or guest  hear fast tempo music, their natural inclination is to move faster―the opposite being true of slower tempos, making customers want to linger a bit longer. Think about the audience, the desired traffic pattern, and when it makes sense to kick up the music or slow it down. For example, during a dinner rush at a family restaurant, keeping the up-tempo music going will keep the tables turning over at a regular pace. Later in the evening, however, the tempo can be slowed so maybe those last customers will stay for dessert.

3. Makes the wait fly by

In general, our society isn’t too fond of waiting. Whether customers are passing the time in a lobby for an appointment, a waiting room for their car repair, or even in longer lines at the checkout―it’s probably not their favorite part of your business’ experience. So, do your best to make it as enjoyable as possible! Creative and helpful announcements can keep this captive audience aware of their wait times and any upcoming events or special offers. The right music can help give customers something to tap their toes to and enjoy while they wait. Suddenly these wait times are less annoying and the overall vibe becomes much more positive.

4. Keep the staff happy

Who spends the MOST time in a business? The staff, of course. And what (or who) has some of the greatest influence on the customer experience? Again, the staff. Then it stands to reason that business owners should want to keep their staff happy. A great way to achieve that goal is by using in-store audio. Airing a solid, curated playlist that staff will enjoy and/or an in-store announcement strategy that will keep them informed regardless of the crowds and store size, making sure the staff is happy can be the best transformation a business can undergo.

  5. Improves the bottom line

In-store audio not only helps to achieve these four above goals, but it can also be a great tool to promote new products and events, all while creating a better overall store vibe and customer experience. And how important is the vibe to the bottom line? VisionCritical estimates that, by 2020, customer experience will overtake price and product as the most important key brand differentiator. And what can transform a business space more than a better customer experience and a better bottom line?

If the goal is transforming the business space, one of the easiest and most impactful ways to create a new or upgraded vibe is through in-store audio. While some may say that it’s all just “noise,” that’s far from the case. In fact, it can be the tipping point to making or breaking a sale.

Interested in learning more? Request a demo of Vibenomics today and learn how you can start creating on-brand music and messaging for your in-store customers.