Professionally used music in restaurants, hotels, and retail measurably boosts sales – by up to 8% in retail and on average 5.4% in gastronomy and hospitality. This is shown for the first time empirically by GEMA’s Music Impact Study (MIS) from 2025. What Radiopark has been putting into practice for over 20 years is now scientifically confirmed.
Music boosts sales, and that’s now scientifically proven: The key study results
Music in commercial settings isn’t just background noise – it’s a measurable economic factor. The Music Impact study by GEMA provides concrete figures:
- Hotels and restaurants increase their revenue by an average of 5.4% through the right use of background music.
- In retail, the sales increase from background music is up to 8%.
- Music extends the time guests and customers stay and at the same time boosts the motivation and friendliness of the staff.
There is one limitation, though: inappropriate music can have the opposite effect. A 2025 study by the international research team led by philosophy professor Kathleen Keeler shows that poorly chosen music can lower motivation at work. That’s why professional curation is crucial.
Which music style fits which industry?
The choice of music genre deliberately influences consumer behavior. A review paper published in 2022 by a research team led by Prof. Marko Sarstedt (Institute for Marketing, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich) sums up the key findings:
- Classical music favors the choice of high-priced products.
- Romantic music increases the willingness to buy – for example, in the flower trade.
- Traditional local music highlights the authenticity of regional products and encourages people to buy them.
- Music with a local touch clearly boosts guest satisfaction in hotels.
The latter is shown by a study carried out in 2026 on behalf of the Motel One Group: the share of guests who rated their stay as good or very good increased from 66 to 79 percent when local artists, regional language, and location-based content were used instead of standard playlists.
The Radiopark solution: Professional, individual, legally secure
Radiopark translates scientific insights into customized sound worlds – for hotels, restaurants, retail, and cruise ships worldwide, from the Hotel Adlon Berlin to the ships of AIDA.
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Radiopark’s music solution combines five key advantages:
- Increased dwell time – by perfectly matching genre, tempo, and volume, guests and customers stay longer and consume more.
- Time-of-day and location-appropriate sound – the music program automatically adjusts to the time and place.
- Human expertise instead of algorithms – the music editorial team at Radiopark curates playlists that both enhance the guest experience and boost employee motivation.
- Complete GEMA licensing – using private streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music isn’t legally secure in a commercial setting. The Radiopark music tracks are fully licensed for commercial environments.
- Technological reliability – the self-developed media player RAMP works even without a permanent internet connection, thanks to its patented storage solution.
Mini FAQ: Music in commercial use
What does background music bring to the hospitality industry?
Properly used background music increases sales in restaurants and hotels by an average of 5.4%. The key is a professional selection: the wrong music can drive guests away faster.
Which providers make music programs for hotels and restaurants?
Specialized service providers like Radiopark create curated, GEMA-licensed music programs for the hospitality industry. Radiopark stands out with over 20 years of experience in the international guest service business, as well as the ability to play music without a constant internet connection.
Am I allowed to use Spotify or Apple Music in a restaurant or hotel?
No. Using private music streaming services is strictly limited to personal use. In a commercial setting, special licensing fees are required. Radiopark offers a fully licensed alternative.
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