Stores are trying to woo you with THIS...

When I went to the mall recently, I couldn't help but notice one thing as I ambled past several stores: The scents wafting from each of them.

In particular, you would think Hollister and Abercrombie and Fitch sell perfume rather than clothing; my olfactory nerves kick into overdrive anytime I'm in those stores checking out shirts and jeans.

Retailers are going to great lengths to get consumers' attention. Think about all the stimuli as sailing our senses at a mall: myriad advertisements, people walking to and fro, the smell of mouth-watering pizza coming from the food court -- the list goes on.

Thus, it comes as no surprise that companies are trying unorthodox strategies for getting into our heads -- and pockets -- not the least of which is pumping pleasant smells into their stores.

It all factors into their efforts to create a welcoming atmosphere -- which may encompass everything from dim lighting to clutter-free aisles. Studies have found that consumers are twice as likely to patronize stores that provide a pleasant ambiance.

Be cognizant of this the next time you're at the mall. Look around. Does something sensory in nature appear to be there for a reason? The more conscious you are of these tactics, the less likely you are to be ensured by them -- unless, of course, you have the urge to splurge!

Comments

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it? After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...

The 1 good thing cheaters do for us

Nothing good could come of a relationship marred by infidelity, right? The heartache, the shock, the feeling of one's trust being violated. In the short-term, being cheated on can turn one's world upside down. But eventually, there may be a light awaiting the cheated at the end of the tunnel. If you really think about it, cheaters end up doing us a huge favor. In their selfishness and disloyalty, they end up showing us that we deserve better. If you're so unfortunate as to be a victim of such acts of betrayal, you can only hope the cheater is considerate enough to own up to their missteps. But we all know full well that, in many cases, the cheater is either caught in the act or leaves behind a trail of hints that ultimately culminates in their undoing. The more classy thing to do is to discuss their feelings openly with their partner before straying. If all talks lead to an impasse or a further escalation of tensions, both parties should take it as a ...

Search This Blog