What Is In-Store Audio Advertising?
A shopper walks into their local grocery store, browsing the aisles as they decide what to add to their cart. As they pass through the store, an audio ad plays over the speaker system, promoting a new energy drink. The message is simple—refreshing, sugar-free, and now available in-store.
A few minutes later, as they reach the beverage aisle, they see the product on the shelf. The brand name is familiar now, and without hesitation, they grab a can and add it to their cart.
This is the power of In-Store Audio Advertising—a direct, in-the-moment marketing tool that influences purchasing decisions when they matter most.
What Is In-Store Audio?
In-Store Audio advertising delivers branded audio messages through store-wide speaker systems, engaging shoppers while they are actively making buying decisions. Unlike traditional radio or digital streaming ads, these ads are played exclusively inside retail locations during store hours, ensuring brands reach a high-intent audience at the right moment.
Why In-Store Audio Works
1. Reaching Shoppers at the Moment of Purchase
Consumers are bombarded with ads throughout the day, but most advertising happens before they ever step foot in a store. In-Store Audio changes that by delivering messages when shoppers are actively deciding what to buy. The reminder comes just before they reach the relevant aisle, reinforcing brand awareness right before the point of sale.
2. Hyper-Targeted and Measurable
In-Store Audio isn’t just about broadcasting messages—it’s a data-driven marketing tool with precise targeting and measurement capabilities.
- Daypart Targeting: Ads can be scheduled to run at specific times of day, such as lunchtime for snack promotions or evenings for meal-prep ingredients.
- Retail-Specific Campaigns: Messaging can be tailored by store location to match inventory availability or regional preferences.
- Real-Time Attribution: Foot traffic is tracked providing insights into store visits and shopper engagement.
3. A Critical Piece of the Omnichannel Strategy
Brands today invest heavily in digital, social, and programmatic advertising, but many campaigns lose momentum at the final stage—the in-store purchase. In-Store Audio bridges this gap by reinforcing ad messaging at the point of sale, ensuring brand recognition remains strong when shoppers are making their final decisions.
For advertisers already leveraging digital audio channels like podcasts and streaming, In-Store Audio serves as a seamless extension, creating a consistent brand experience from discovery to purchase.
Want to learn more about how digital audio fits into your omnichannel strategy? Check out our Digital Audio Explainer for a full breakdown.
Example: How Brands Are Using In-Store Audio
A leading beverage brand wanted to increase in-store sales for a new sugar-free energy drink. They launched an In-Store Audio campaign in select convenience stores, playing 10-second audio ads throughout the day that emphasized the drink’s benefits and availability.
The results:
- Increased brand awareness among shoppers actively looking for beverages
- A measurable sales lift during peak traffic hours
- Foot traffic data confirmed increased engagement near the product aisle
How to Activate In-Store Audio Advertising
Getting started with In-Store Audio is simple and cost-effective:
- Choose Your Target Retailers – Select stores where your product is available.
- Set Your Campaign Timing – Run ads during key shopping hours to maximize impact.
- Launch & Measure – Track performance with foot traffic data and real-time reporting.
With starting CPMs as low as $10.75, In-Store Audio is a powerful, scalable way to influence last-minute purchase decisions.
Want to see how In-Store Audio can fit into your omnichannel strategy?
To see how this solution fits into your omnichannel strategy, download our In-Store Audio Package for a complete breakdown of targeting capabilities, pricing, and reporting. If you’re ready to reach high-intent shoppers at the moment of purchase, contact our team today to start building a campaign that drives real results