Music to My Lips: Effects of Musical Tempo on the Coffee Drinking Experience

Abstract

A study was designed to investigate the influence of music tempo on lone coffee drinkers' experience in a coffee shop. The study (N = 400) was a single-blind randomized experiment conducted at a specialty coffee shop. The results demonstrate that music tempo induced a positive experience in those coffee drinkers who may have been motivated by utilitarian (weekday) versus hedonic (weekend) needs. Specifically, slow tempo music on weekdays led to intentions to re-purchase coffee. Furthermore, customers lingered for longer in the coffee shop on weekends when slow tempo music was playing. These findings, and the implications for future research, are discussed in light of the current literature on environment congruency, motivations, and consumer behavior.