Coles and Woolies pay hidden $6 million cost, ALDI stays out
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Have you ever noticed something slightly different when shopping at ALDI compared to Coles or Woolies?
No, it’s not just the middle aisle full of weird and wonderful Special Buys or the fact you have to pack your own bags at lightning speed.
It’s the silence—or at least, the lack of music wafting through the aisles!
While Coles and Woolworths serenade you with everything from 80s classics to the latest pop hits as you shop, ALDI stores are noticeably quiet.
And as it turns out, this isn’t just a quirky choice—it’s a deliberate decision that saves ALDI millions of dollars every year.
A spokesperson for the supermarket confirmed there are no plans to change this anytime soon.
But why? The answer is simple: money.
Playing music in a public space like a supermarket isn’t as easy as plugging in a radio.
Businesses must pay for a public performance licence, which ensures that the artists and musicians who created the music are compensated for their work.
In Australia, these licences are managed by organisations like OneMusic, APRA AMCOS, and the PPCA.
The cost of a music licence depends on the size of the store and the type of music system used.
For a small shop with just a radio, the annual fee might be under $100.
But for a large supermarket using a digital streaming service, the cost can soar to over $6,000 per year—per store!
With Coles operating around 850 stores and Woolworths boasting more than 1,100, the total annual bill for music can reach a staggering $5–6 million each.
That’s a lot of money just to keep the tunes rolling while you pick up your bread and milk!
ALDI, with nearly 600 stores across Australia, would have to fork out between $230 and $1,600 per store each year if they wanted to join the party.
By sticking to silence, they’re saving a tidy sum—money that, in theory, can be passed on to shoppers through lower prices.
You might wonder: Is it really worth it for Coles and Woolies to spend millions on music? Research shows that the answer is a resounding yes.
Studies have shown that music can have a powerful effect on our shopping habits.
One world-first study found that playing music in retail stores can boost customer spending by up to 8 per cent.
For supermarkets raking in billions in revenue, that’s a huge return on investment.
Classical music can encourage shoppers to splurge on luxury items, while country tunes make us stick to the essentials.
Even the tempo makes a difference—slower music encourages us to linger (and spend more), while fast-paced tracks make us zip through the aisles.
Playing music in stores doesn’t just influence spending—it also affects customer behaviour in other key ways.
Research shows that 21 per cent of shoppers are more likely to recommend the business, 31 per cent are more likely to return, and 62 per cent say they’ll stay longer if the music is good.
While only 14 per cent admit to spending more, studies reveal that customers buy up to 77 per cent more when music is playing.
Catherine Giuliano, director of OneMusic, says music creates an atmosphere that keeps customers returning and spending more.
However, ALDI’s no-frills approach is part of its brand, and many shoppers appreciate the focus on low prices and efficiency over ambience.
There’s also a question of fairness. If Coles and Woolies are spending millions on music, is that cost being passed on to shoppers through higher prices?
ALDI’s silence might just be another way they keep their costs (and your grocery bill) down.
Interestingly, surveys show that most people actually prefer shopping in stores that play music.
But for some, the peace and quiet of ALDI is a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of other supermarkets.
So next time you’re shopping, take a moment to notice the soundtrack—or lack thereof.
Whether you love a bit of background music or prefer the quiet, now you know there’s a multi-million dollar reason behind it!
What about you, members? Do you enjoy a bit of music while you shop, or do you prefer the no-nonsense silence of ALDI? Have you ever found yourself spending more when your favourite song comes on? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
No, it’s not just the middle aisle full of weird and wonderful Special Buys or the fact you have to pack your own bags at lightning speed.
It’s the silence—or at least, the lack of music wafting through the aisles!
While Coles and Woolworths serenade you with everything from 80s classics to the latest pop hits as you shop, ALDI stores are noticeably quiet.
And as it turns out, this isn’t just a quirky choice—it’s a deliberate decision that saves ALDI millions of dollars every year.
Unlike its competitors, ALDI has chosen not to play music in its stores. 
Music is not played in ALDI supermarkets, unlike in Coles and Woolworths. Credit: Depositphotos
A spokesperson for the supermarket confirmed there are no plans to change this anytime soon.
But why? The answer is simple: money.
Playing music in a public space like a supermarket isn’t as easy as plugging in a radio.
In Australia, these licences are managed by organisations like OneMusic, APRA AMCOS, and the PPCA.
The cost of a music licence depends on the size of the store and the type of music system used.
For a small shop with just a radio, the annual fee might be under $100.
But for a large supermarket using a digital streaming service, the cost can soar to over $6,000 per year—per store!
With Coles operating around 850 stores and Woolworths boasting more than 1,100, the total annual bill for music can reach a staggering $5–6 million each.
ALDI, with nearly 600 stores across Australia, would have to fork out between $230 and $1,600 per store each year if they wanted to join the party.
By sticking to silence, they’re saving a tidy sum—money that, in theory, can be passed on to shoppers through lower prices.
You might wonder: Is it really worth it for Coles and Woolies to spend millions on music? Research shows that the answer is a resounding yes.
Studies have shown that music can have a powerful effect on our shopping habits.
One world-first study found that playing music in retail stores can boost customer spending by up to 8 per cent.
Other research has found that the type of music matters, too. Classical music can encourage shoppers to splurge on luxury items, while country tunes make us stick to the essentials.
Even the tempo makes a difference—slower music encourages us to linger (and spend more), while fast-paced tracks make us zip through the aisles.
Playing music in stores doesn’t just influence spending—it also affects customer behaviour in other key ways.
Research shows that 21 per cent of shoppers are more likely to recommend the business, 31 per cent are more likely to return, and 62 per cent say they’ll stay longer if the music is good.
While only 14 per cent admit to spending more, studies reveal that customers buy up to 77 per cent more when music is playing.
Some experts argue that ALDI could be missing a trick by not playing music. Catherine Giuliano, director of OneMusic, says music creates an atmosphere that keeps customers returning and spending more.
However, ALDI’s no-frills approach is part of its brand, and many shoppers appreciate the focus on low prices and efficiency over ambience.
There’s also a question of fairness. If Coles and Woolies are spending millions on music, is that cost being passed on to shoppers through higher prices?
ALDI’s silence might just be another way they keep their costs (and your grocery bill) down.
In the UK, 90 per cent of people said they’d choose a shop with music over one without. But for some, the peace and quiet of ALDI is a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of other supermarkets.
So next time you’re shopping, take a moment to notice the soundtrack—or lack thereof.
Whether you love a bit of background music or prefer the quiet, now you know there’s a multi-million dollar reason behind it!
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