Did you know that smell is more strongly and quickly associated with memory than any other sense (Curiosity, 2018)? Just think about words like autumn, food, and swimming pool. What smells and remembrances immediately come to mind? The recall is most likely quick and intense, and thereby, the power of scents to help sell your products.
More and more retailers and manufacturers are jumping on the scent selling bandwagon. The subtle, as well as, customer interactive use of scent to increase the desire to purchase products is really catching on.
From a movie theater piping in scent during strategic moments in the film to a clothing retailer gently spreading its unique blend of smells throughout its stores, scent marketing is hot. The technology is available to allow manufacturers to integrate smell into their packaging and offer their customers interactive smell experiences at kiosks in stores.
For example, a store display for Ajax Wipes let customers push a button and experience the smell that the wipes offer. A Bus Stop Display treated waiting riders to the smell of fresh cut grass as part of a soccer ad.
Scent is even being integrated into everyday products that typically do not have smell components. For example, the SensorWake alarm clock helps you rise and shine with smells of your choice ranging from hot croissants and coffee to money.
So what are some of the scents that marketers draw upon when creating their aromatic blends for use in marketplace? Many of them are the smells that lots of people equate with eating, the garden, or the seasons.
- Aloe
- Amber
- Anise
- Apple
- Balsam
- Bamboo
- Banana
- Basil
- Birch Wood
- Brown Sugar
- Bubble Gum
- Cantaloupe
- Caramel
- Cassis
- Cedar
- Chocolate
- Cinnamon
- Clover
- Cloves
- Coconut
- Coffee
- Cranberry
- Cucumber
- Currant
- Cut Grass
- Eucalyptus
- Gardenia
- Green Tea
- Fallen Leaves
- Fig
- Freesia
- Fresh Bread
- Fresh Linen
- Geranium
- Ginger
- Hay
- Honeydew Melon
- Honeysuckle
- Hyacinth
- Jasmine
- Juniper
- Kiwi Fruit
- Leather
- Lemon Verbena
- Lilac
- Lily of the Valley
- Lime
- Mango
- Mint
- Mojito
- Musk
- Narcissus
- Nectarine
- Orange
- Passion Flower
- Peach
- Pear
- Plum
- Peppermint
- Pina Colada
- Pine
- Pineapple
- Pink Grapefruit
- Powdered Sugar
- Pumpkin Spice
- Raspberry
- Rosemary
- Rum
- Sage
- Salt Air
- Sea Breeze
- Sugar Cookies
- Tangerine
- Teak
- Thyme
- Tobacco Leaf
- Vanilla
- Verbena
- Violet
- Watermelon
- Wild Rose
- Yellow Cake
What are your favorite scents and what memories do they bring to mind for you?
For more on what entices us to buy grab your Free Printable of 50 Sales Phrases That Get People To Buy.
I can’t decide if I like the idea of my nose being targeted now as well ha. It is definitely an interesting idea! I’ve actually heard of an ad campaign for a local bakery that pumped “cookie smells” into the bus stop down the block to see if they could drive traffic their way.
Mmmm! The smell of cookies anywhere definitely makes me want to go in hunt of sweets.
I’ve always enjoyed the scent of fresh linen. So clean and crisp! I hate doing laundry but I sure love the smells in the process. Thank you for sharing with us at Merry Monday!
I am a big fan of crisp, clean smells too. Same with you. Laundry is not my first love.
Lemon verbena is my favorite! For fall, though, I like cinnamon, pumpkin, apple, brown sugar and those sorts of scents. I don’t mind my nose being targeted. 😉
I have some lemon verbena that grows like crazy. It is definitely very hardy.