[2026 Latest Survey on Store BGM] About 52% of Stores Struggle with Monthly BGM Costs. What is 'Self-Managed BGM' Attracting Attention from Independent Shops?
CACTUS TOKYO released a survey on store BGM. 52% of store owners feel burdened by costs, and 71% of consumers view illegal BGM negatively. 82% are considering switching to legal, low-cost 'self-managed BGM'.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 17:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 08:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 04:36 (428h 6m after Collected)
Self-managed BGM is store background music that does not rely on JASRAC-managed tracks, but rather centers on audio sources with independently cleared rights.
CACTUS TOKYO Inc., which operates the store BGM streaming service 'BGM House', conducted an 'Awareness Survey on Store BGM Usage and Copyrights' targeting 103 store owners/managers nationwide and 103 general consumers.
This survey revealed the reality that many independent stores are caught between BGM costs and copyright compliance, and highlighted a high demand to transition to the next-generation standard, 'self-managed BGM', which solves these issues.
■ Summary of Survey Results (3 Key Points of this Release)
1. Challenges for Stores: 52% of store owners answered that they feel the monthly costs and copyright fees for their current BGM are a 'burden'.
2. Strict Eyes of Consumers: 71% of general consumers responded that their 'favorable impression would decrease if they knew a store was playing BGM illegally', such as unauthorized use of personal apps (like Spotify).
3. Expectations for New Solutions: Regarding 'self-managed BGM', which can be used legally and cheaply without going through JASRAC, 82% of stores answered they 'would like to consider switching' if conditions are met.
■ Background of the Survey: Why 'How to Choose Store BGM' is Important
When implementing store BGM, there is no end to the number of rules violations (copyright infringements) where personal flat-rate music streaming services are used commercially simply because they are 'cheap'. On the other hand, traditional commercial wired broadcasting services have high monthly costs, becoming a significant fixed expense for independent shops. There was a problem where searching for 'store BGM recommendations' only yielded either expensive services or legally gray methods.
■ Detailed Survey Results
1. Over Half of Store Owners Suffer from 'Fixed BGM Costs'
When store owners were asked, 'Do you feel burdened by the current monthly costs (including copyright royalties) for BGM?', the combined answers for 'feel very burdened' and 'feel somewhat burdened' reached 52%.
2. Compliance Violations Damage Brands. 70% of Consumers Say 'Illegal BGM Lowers Favorable Impression'
CACTUS TOKYO Inc., which operates the store BGM streaming service 'BGM House', conducted an 'Awareness Survey on Store BGM Usage and Copyrights' targeting 103 store owners/managers nationwide and 103 general consumers.
This survey revealed the reality that many independent stores are caught between BGM costs and copyright compliance, and highlighted a high demand to transition to the next-generation standard, 'self-managed BGM', which solves these issues.
■ Summary of Survey Results (3 Key Points of this Release)
1. Challenges for Stores: 52% of store owners answered that they feel the monthly costs and copyright fees for their current BGM are a 'burden'.
2. Strict Eyes of Consumers: 71% of general consumers responded that their 'favorable impression would decrease if they knew a store was playing BGM illegally', such as unauthorized use of personal apps (like Spotify).
3. Expectations for New Solutions: Regarding 'self-managed BGM', which can be used legally and cheaply without going through JASRAC, 82% of stores answered they 'would like to consider switching' if conditions are met.
■ Background of the Survey: Why 'How to Choose Store BGM' is Important
When implementing store BGM, there is no end to the number of rules violations (copyright infringements) where personal flat-rate music streaming services are used commercially simply because they are 'cheap'. On the other hand, traditional commercial wired broadcasting services have high monthly costs, becoming a significant fixed expense for independent shops. There was a problem where searching for 'store BGM recommendations' only yielded either expensive services or legally gray methods.
■ Detailed Survey Results
1. Over Half of Store Owners Suffer from 'Fixed BGM Costs'
When store owners were asked, 'Do you feel burdened by the current monthly costs (including copyright royalties) for BGM?', the combined answers for 'feel very burdened' and 'feel somewhat burdened' reached 52%.
2. Compliance Violations Damage Brands. 70% of Consumers Say 'Illegal BGM Lowers Favorable Impression'