I have 5 supermarkets within a couple of miles of me but the one nearest,
the Co-0p, is the one I use least.
It is the noisiest with loud background pop music which is the main reason I go elsewhere. Asda is the next noisiest but well below the Co-op level.
The others Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsburys I don't hear music at all. So they get my custom.
According the noise abatement society only 8% of the population say they like loud music and 40% ignore it in any retail outlets so why do they do it.
Another thing the Co-op and Asda have in common they frequently charge
the full price on a supposedly reduced items. I have however always obtained refunds . I now make a point of checking the check out bill carefully back home.
My family love the fresh baked 7 inch Apple/Rhubarb/Fruit pies which they have all been selling for £1 except for the Co-op which are £1.35 and are smaller. I wonder why ?
I agree re "musak" - I complained to the management in B & Q last week, then walked out without buying anything. Raucous "music" echoing around a large shed - annoying.
Our Co-op shut down last year, they didn't have any music on during the day, but in the evening, until they closed at ten, they would play classical music.
They found that this stopped the crowd of youths that used to hang around the doorway annoying the staff, and harrassing the customers.
whenever i go into my local co-op most of the staff seem to be filling shelves leaving one poor soul on the check-out to deal with an ever-lengthening queue of irate customers