EMA 1000 Korskirkekvartalet in Bergen city center has been named "Norway's best background music". - This came as a really pleasant surprise! We play music because we like to create a good atmosphere, both for the customers and for us who work here. That people actually notice it and vote for us - that's fantastic!, says store manager and franchisee John-Andre Flåm.
– Wins concert with record-breaking Synne Sørgerj
(Oslo, November 10, 2025) REMA 1000 Korskirkekvartalet in Bergen city center has been named "Norway's best background music" by TONO. The victory will be celebrated with a free mini-concert in the store on Thursday, November 13 at 1:30 p.m. with Synne Sørgjerd.
/ 11/11/2025 / Willy Martinsen- This came as a really nice surprise! We play music because we like to create a good atmosphere, both for the customers and for us who work here. That people actually notice it and vote for us – that's fantastic!, says store manager and franchisee John-Andre Flåm.
The award is based on people being invited to nominate their favorites. 112 nominations were received from all over the country, with a wide geographical range – from Kautokeino in the north to Stavanger in the south. The jury has emphasized the public's justifications, and REMA 1000 Korskirkekvartalet distinguished itself because they use music to improve customer experiences in an industry where background music has not previously been so common.
The nominations include, among other things:
"Never been to a grocery store that plays music. Wide range of music played. It seems like they adjust the music to what day and what time of day it is. Obviously music-loving people 😆»
"Always good music playing when I'm in there shopping."
"Cool and varied world-class music."
– REMA 1000 Korskirkekvartalet has brought something new to the grocery store; namely music. They do it very well and stood out among the nominations with consistently good and appropriate use of music throughout the day. The winner shows how the right music at the right time and at the right volume enhances both the shopping experience and well-being, says Willy Martinsen, Communications Director at TONO.
– I only get good feedback from customers that we play music. We spend time making the background music contribute to good experiences. Research shows that it has positive effects on both sales and well-being. For me, this is also about the well-being of the employees. When I took over my second store, REMA 1000 Strusshamn on Askøy, one of the first things I did was to start playing music there too, says Flåm.
– I think it's super cool that it was a grocery store that won, and where I'm going to play. It will be a new stage and arena for me. I'm looking forward to playing in the store – and I hope my songs also contribute to a good atmosphere and well-being, says artist and songwriter Synne Sørgjerd.
The jury consisted of artist and songwriter Synne Sørgjerd, influencer Gard Øksendal and employees from TONO.
To see the 10 finalists, see https://www.musikkenforsterker.no/her-er-finalistene-i-karingen-av-norges-beste-bakgrunnsmusikk
For all the nominees, see https://www.musikkenforsterker.no/bakgrunn
From autumn 2025, it has become easier than ever for stores and others with customer premises to create value for their customers by playing music – with the necessary licenses. TONO and Gramo have entered into an agreement whereby TONO will have all customer contact and invoicing on behalf of both companies. You can read more about this here..
Willy Martinsen, communications director at TONO.
Mobile: 909 65 254,
Email: willy.martinsen@tono.no
TONO was founded in 1928 and is a non-profit cooperative owned and managed by composers, lyricists and music publishers. TONO manages the economic copyrights in their musical works and grants licenses for the use of protected music publicly for a fee. TONO's financial results are transferred to copyright holders in music that has been performed publicly in Norway and abroad. TONO has more than 44,000 members and also represents millions of international authors. In 2024, TONO paid out NOK 741.7 million to copyright holders at home and abroad.