What an experience!

All of us at F.C. Dadson would like to wish you a very merry holiday. For our gift to you, we’ve decided to save one of our favorite trends of the countdown for today. #5 was home-style décor, #4 was streamlined and simple, and #3 was high-tech design. Now for the good stuff…

#2: A treat for the eyes, ears, nose, taste buds AND fingertips

As the Dadson Diaries has discussed in previous entries, consumers are looking for more than just products or services when they enter a business. They are looking for an experience. With the power a great experience has on same-store sales, retailers are doing their best to create immersive environments that are a treat for more than just the eyes.

Hearing, smell, taste, and touch are stepping out from sight’s shadow to create a complete sensory experience. Audio has become more than bland elevator music. Stores like American Eagle Outfitters are now filling ears with special mixes and others are playing satellite radio. These soundtracks set the pace for shopping. Smells are being pumped in to tap into a shopper’s memory. Food and drinks are tantalizing taste buds in a number of stores and interactive media and product displays are keeping hands busy. All these elements work to create a sense of comfort, increase dwell time, and influence purchases. In addition, they provide even more outlets for retailers to present their brands to consumers, creating a complete brand experience for shoppers.