I spent 10 days in North America a week ago and while in a mall in Atlanta I noticed three things:

1. Everything was on sale.

2. Everything is cheaper in the US. Did I mention that it cost me £83 ($166CDN) to fill my car yesterday?

3. That you can smell an Abercrombe & Fitch store way before you see an Abercrombe & Fitch store. I walked in and there was a guy spraying their ‘scent’ around the store. A little overpowering but very distinct. Made me think about LUSH, which is the same way. You smell their stores way before you see them.

There is no doubt that scent triggers memories, experiences and in the case of the above, buying. A colleague of mine mentioned once that his son, who works in a travel agency, had suggested that they put coconut scents into the air vents to help people get into the vacation mood (great idea).

I wonder what the right scent is if you are a photocopier salesperson? (smile)

And all of this made me laugh when I read this. Leave it to the Japanese to automate retail scents!