By: Ryan Sterling, Co-Founder

Picking the right music for your retail establishment is one of the most important aspects of running a business. While it may be a background element, it can play a vital part in your ability to relate with potential customers, not to mention the overall disposition of your staff.

As a musician myself, I encourage you to use music that is copyright compliant. My advice is to stick with streaming services like Spotify or Pandora. The standard radio stations available in your area are always an option, but that leaves you with no real ability to fine tune the ambience of your retail floor. Here are some essential tips that I’ve picked up working in the industry that can help you accomplish this:

-Soundsystem

Make sure the device you plan to play music with is out of the customer’s area of focus, but easy for staff members to access. You also want to be mindful of where you place the speakers. No one wants to be stuck under a speaker while they are in line waiting to make purchase, or when they are browsing for items in your display cases. Be sure to test out your set up so you can identify problems before your customers do. Also, if your dispensary has a waiting room, make sure you’ve got music playing in there too. You don’t want the first impression of your business to be eerily silent.

-Songs

Subtly is key. Keep in mind you’re trying to set a mood. Everybody has different tastes, but there is plenty of music out there that has some universal appeal. Personally, I find classic tunes that stir up nostalgia are a great option.

-Selector

Who gets to choose the music? You want to keep your staff happy as well as your customers, and this is where things can get tricky. I recommend setting up some ground rules with staff in regard to music that has explicit lyrics or is generally abrasive and dissonant. Let staff have a choice, but also, keep an ear out for what they are playing when they don’t think management is around.

Lastly, if your store doesn’t have music. Get music. It is a critical piece of your retail environment that doesn’t take too much effort. Thanks for reading and happy listening.