M&S decides to turn off music in stores

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jun 2, 2016

Marks and Spencer announced on Wednesday that it has decided to stop playing background music in all of its 300 UK stores.

An M&S spokesperson said: “We’re focused on putting the customer at the heart of everything we do, this decision is the result of extensive research and feedback from our customers and colleagues”.

Pipedown, an organisation calling for “freedom from piped music”, had encouraged Marks and Spencer to take the step, which was described as a money-saving decision.

According to the group, M&S has cancelled the licence to play piped music in all stores with effect from 1 June.

Background music raises blood pressure and depresses the immune system, says Pipedown.

Marks and Spencer has embarked on a major effort to recapture customers and market share after Steve Rowe took over the reins of the business. Earlier in May M&S’s new boss unveiled plans to win back ‘Mrs M&S’ from other high street rivals such as Next and Primark.

“We need to cherish and celebrate her and give her what she needs”, he told BBC Radio in May.

The British retailer said the Clothing and Home sales performance in the year ended 2 April 2016 was ‘unsatisfactory’, and that it was ‘top priority’ to get these categories back on track.