The Power of Scents In Your Store

Does your store smell? While this may not sound like a good thing, it can actually be a great thing. Scents in stores can enhance brands while also making a more memorable shopping experience. The catch is to make sure you use scents in your store the right way versus the wrong way.

[tweetmeme]The key to doing this is to first understand that scent should be an incorporation of your marketing strategy. Without it complementing a marketing plan, it can be too bold on it’s own. Customers should never walk into a store and smell first rather than see first. Their immediate reaction should be made by your entire ambiance or a specific display that draws attention to a specific product – not the smell of your store. This would mean your smell is too powerful. Instead, you want it to blend into the entire environment of their shopping experience.

The next important thing to remember is that some scents can can be “labeled” negatively. Because scents create messages that impact impressions, you want to avoid any scents you believe may have a stereotype that would not compliment your store image.

Finally, if you stay consistent with one smell in your store, customers will begin to identify that smell with your business. This can be great if they have the opportunity to smell your scent somewhere else and think of you. In addition, it may be an experience they look forward to having every time they visit your store. Either way, make sure you find one scent that you believe captures your store image while also blending in with your other marketing objectives.