"Retailers Fine-Tune Store Music to Reflect Brand, Make You Want to Shop." CNN.
Smith, Ray A. "Retailers Fine-Tune." The Wall Street Journal. Dow and Jones Co. 11 Dec 2013. Web. 13 Jan 14. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303932504579252233773416914?mod=djem10point
In the article above, it is thought that some retailers have constructed playlists to make the shopper want to buy more! Chain-retailers often turn to companies such as PlayMedia, and Mood Media to design these playlists which often times match the stores aesthetic.
An example of the influence of music, Macy's has developed their own in-store radio station called "mstyleradio", which plays in the juniors section. Macy's chief marketing officer, Martine Reardon, commented on the use of music in the juniors department saying, "We tend to put the volume up a little further there, that's what that customer likes and expects."
Music tends to change seasonally as well, in fact a London based clothing store, Thomas Pink, one in six songs is a Christmas song in November, and by Christmas the odds of a Christmas song playing are one in three, says Florence Torrens.
Shopping to music has been proven to cause the release of dopamine, the chemical that causes pleasure and often focuses attention. Dopamine could potentially "lead to putting people in a [more] generous mood", causing them to spend more according to Daniel J Levitin.
I feel that this is a common marketing strategy that not many people are aware of. This doesn't directly impact your thinking, it's more of a subconscious reaction that occurs when shopping to music. I feel now that I have learned a bit more about this marketing strategy I will pay more attention to the playlists in certain stores, and how people react. This event, while sneaky, is just proof that companies will do anything for profits, whether it be shocking advertisements, or less obvious music playlists. This event affects my shopping habits, and spending. I think it really can affect anyone, anywhere.
The author uses language to further prove his point by quoting company executives and psychologists directly. An example of this is the authors quotations from Levitin, a professor of psychology and behavioral neuroscience. Also quoted in the article is Macy's CMO (chief marketing officer).
