Playing music in your thrift store is an excellent way to draw in new customers. Upbeat shopping playlists give consumers extra pep in their step and increase the appeal of staying in the thrift store and rummaging through the clothing selection.
Are you considering changing the music in your store or starting from scratch?
Understand the Psychological Impact of Music
Thrift store music can make your shop more interesting for your staff. It can also have a deep impact on the behavior of your customers.
For example, in a study published in 2020, researchers played different types of music for consumers in retail outlets. They found that popular music caused consumers to spend less money than they did when jazz music was playing. Studies like this suggest that playing music associated with wealth and culture can make people spend more.
In a 2022 study, researchers examined how long people stayed in the store based on how much they liked the music. They found that people tended to linger longer when they enjoyed the songs. The longer they stay, the more they might be willing to spend.
In another pertinent study published in 2020, researchers examined how consumers reacted in a retail environment based on the interactivity and novelty of the songs they heard. The researchers found that unusual songs (or the novelty of them) made them more engaged. A study like this suggests that unexpected songs could make people pay more attention as they shop.
Thrift Store Music: How to Curate a Playlist for Your Store
Playing music in your thrift store can positively impact the behavior of your customers. With music, a thrift store can bring in more people. Once they’re in your store, they will likely stay longer and may even buy more of your products, depending on the music that you play. But how exactly do you curate the best thrift store playlist for your shop?
Building a playlist from scratch can be hard. Instead, follow these simple steps to create amazing playlists that your customers will appreciate.
Avoid Generic Playlists and Hit Singles
We recommend creating a thrift shop music playlist with songs that relate to your brand (and that your customers will actually enjoy). Every song you play reflects your brand as much as your products do; as your customers are shopping, they will judge your brand with their ears. So, you can’t just throw on whatever is on the radio and expect your playlist to draw customers.
Consider what your thrift store business represents and what kind of music your target audience listens to. For example, your target customers might like indie music or rap music more than Top 40 hits. This doesn’t mean that you can’t play Top 40 hits at all. But instead of assuming your customers will respond to popular radio songs, you should create a playlist that speaks to your audience.
Consider How Your Customer Base Changes Throughout the Day
Look at your target customers and think about how and when they visit your thrift store throughout the day. Do your demographics change during the day, and do people have different behaviors and needs as the afternoon approaches?
For example, you might notice that your older customers visit your store earlier in the day, while your younger customers visit later in the evening. You could choose to play music in your thrift shop that caters to each client base at the appropriate times of the day. When you’re creating your thrift store music playlist, you should consider these customer demographics, as well as their interests.
Look for Unique Bands and Musical Artists
One of the biggest benefits of using a streaming service like Pandora CloudCover is that you can access millions of songs to add to your thrift music playlist. You can explore different genres and artists to determine if their music matches the vibe of your thrift store. Additionally, you can play music from lesser-known artists to help them get “discovered.”
Including these artists on your playlist will help you brand your thrift store as a unique venue for shoppers to visit at the same time. When you are playing your thrift store playlist, make sure to note how your customers react to the music and which bands or genres they are enjoying.
Create a Cohesive and Smooth Playlist
When creating the perfect playlist, you can’t just add hundreds of songs and hope that they flow well together. Instead, you need to blend a variety of different artists, songs, and genres that actually go well together. You want to make sure that the music flows well and blends smoothly.
If you follow a ballad with an up-tempo dance tune, it may be jarring and your customers may feel uncomfortable. In the same way, an unexpected slow song can completely change the dynamic of the shopping experience. Consider creating multiple playlists to select and play throughout the course of the month.
Test Out Different Shopping Playlists
You don’t need to create the perfect thrift store music playlist in one go. We recommend creating new playlists to see what your customers like and what they don’t enjoy.
Most brands and companies switch up their playlists each month, allowing them to choose seasonally relevant songs. Regular playlist adjustments ensure that you’re keeping the music as fresh as possible. You can also try out different shopping playlists throughout the course of the month to see which playlists drive the best results with your customers.
Playing Legal Thrift Store Music
Copyright law is detailed in Title 17 of the United States Code. Per these rules, people who hold the copyright have the exclusive authority to decide who can play their protected songs in public. Per the rules, a public performance involves playing the song in a public place in front of a group of people who aren’t friends or family members. Playing a song in your thrift store is technically a public performance. That means you need permission.
Copyright holders hire performing rights organizations (PROs) to manage their royalties. These companies can, in turn, offer licenses to businesses like yours to play background music for their customers. Common PROs include the following:
- American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)
- Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)
- Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC)
- Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Most PROs offer their services on a sliding scale. The more people who visit your shop, the larger your location, and the more locations you have, the more you might pay. For example, ASCAP charges between $306.50 for facilities with just three speakers, but chains with 10 or more locations can save on those they add.
To get a license with a PRO, contact the organization via the links we’ve shared above. Provide information on the site about your business, including its size and potential customer base. You’ll be provided with an estimate and a contract. Sign it, and you can play music from this PRO.
For full protection, you’ll need arrangements with all PROs. Each one has a slightly different category.
Without the proper agreements, a PRO can take you to court for lost revenue. In 2014, for example, a bar in Portland, Oregon, was sued by ASCAP for playing music without a license. The lawsuit asked the courts to reward damages between $750 and $30,000.
Thrift Shop Music: The Best Songs to Play
Here are some of the top songs to play at your thrift store:
- “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore: Macklemore definitely makes thrift shopping sound fun in this catchy pop hit.
- “Good Day” by Nappy Roots: With children singing along with the chorus, this song will put your customers in an amazing mood.
- “Thrift Shopping” by Matt Ward: This indie song has a happy upbeat tune.
- “Salvation Army Clothes” by Star and Micey: This indie tune about thrift shopping will take your customers to a happy place.
- “Garage Sale” by Kosha Dillz: With an upbeat tune, this song will put smiles on your customers’ faces.
- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams: True to its name, this happy pop hit will keep your customers’ energy up while they’re shopping.
- “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men: This ‘90s R&B hit is a great addition to any playlist.
- “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley & The Wailers: This ‘80s reggae song is another upbeat hit to keep your customers happy.
- “Material Girl” by Madonna: This is another upbeat pop song about shopping.
- “One Way or Another” by Blondie: This ‘70s punk rock song is a high-energy hit for your customers.
Thrift Store Marketing Tips
There are plenty of ways to bring in new customers to your thrift store business, including these:
Host Events
Some thrift stores enable customers to host their own events, parties, or gatherings at the store. As the thrift store owner, you can provide the refreshments or even help incorporate a fashion show as part of the event. You can also plan your events, including classes on areas of interest related to the merchandise category, such as furniture painting, packing for travel, and scarf tying.
Every time you host an event, you provide an opportunity to bring in new customers, some of whom may have never visited thrift stores.
Choose thrift store music that fits the theme of your event. Consider the following examples:
- Holiday sales: Pipe in festive music that celebrates the season, such as classics from Bing Crosby.
- Timed sales: Consider holding a sale that celebrates a specific time frame of merchandise in your shop, such as an 80s sale complete with music from Madonna and Prince.
- Kids sales: Celebrate the younger customers in your community by putting kids’ clothes on sale and playing music made just for children.
Advertise Your Inventory Online
Another great way to market your thrift store is to advertise all of your inventory online. Advertising your products online makes it super simple and easy for someone who sees an item they think a friend, family member, or loved one might love to forward the link to them. Some stores even integrate an e-commerce platform so customers can make purchases online.
Offer Items That Appeal to Your Target Demographic
It’s crucial to provide items for the right demographic. For example, the neighborhood that your thrift store is located in should determine the style of items that you list for sale. For example, is your business located where a lot of families congregate or live? You should make sure that your thrift store provides kids’ clothing and toys. If you live in an area with plenty of rental housing, you should sell furniture that renters might need when they are moving in. The thrift store industry is more specialized than industries like grocery stores or convenience stores, which tend to carry the same types of products. Each thrift store has its own target market.
Make Technology Your Friend
There are plenty of thrift stores out there that don’t take advantage of modern technologies, like email, social media, and ecommerce. So, if you make technology your friend, you can gain an advantage over your competitors.
We recommend you keep up with current tech trends. Be proactive and creative with your social media and modern marketing methods. You should collect all of your customers’ email addresses and alert them to upcoming sales. If you want to go the extra mile, sound out birthday greetings to your newsletter subscribers.
Choose Pandora CloudCover
If you want to learn more about thrift store music and marketing, contact Pandora CloudCover. We have exceptional business music services that elevate your thrift store brand and marketing strategy.
References
In What Ways Does the Genre of Music Influence Shopping Behavior in Retail Stores? (2020). Tuwhera Open Access.
Linking Atmospherics to Shopping Outcomes: The Role of the Desire to Stay. (January 2022). Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services.
Interacting with Background Music Engages E-Customers More. (May 2020). Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services.
Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17). U.S. Copyright Office.
Retail Store. (2024). ASCAP.
Two Portland Bars Are Being Sued by Performing Rights Organization ASCAP for Alleged Copyright Infringement. (October 2019). Willamette Week.