Olfactory cues and purchase behavior: consumer characteristics as moderators
ISSN: 0309-0566
Article publication date: 3 April 2019
Issue publication date: 22 August 2019
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationship between consumer characteristics and the effectiveness of olfactory cues on purchase behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The theories of the effects of consumer decision-making, olfaction and sensory marketing on purchase behavior are applied using loyalty card data collected through an experiment. These data are analyzed using quantitative methods.
Findings
The presence of an olfactory cue has a positive impact on purchase behavior, as measured by product-category sales. Results indicate that in sales promotion, olfactory cues are most efficient in men who have hedonistic or quality-oriented decision-making styles.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is the first to study the effectiveness of olfactory cues on purchase behavior when the interactions between the individual characteristics of consumers are considered. The study broadens extant frameworks of sensory marketing by placing the consumer in the central position as the processor of sensory cues. The work pioneers the integration of consumer’s decision-making style (CDMS) as one of the moderating factors in the process.
Practical implications
The results encourage retailers and practitioners to consider CDMS – and not only gender or age – when using olfactory cues in sales promotions. Hopefully, this paper will inspire retailers to think of the more psychological aspects of consumer behavior and decision-making when planning their loyalty card systems.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to study the effectiveness of olfactory cues on purchase behavior when the interactions between the individual characteristics of consumers are considered. Addressing the decision-making style in addition to demographics is a novel approach, contrasting with earlier studies that merely focused on olfactory acuity.
Keywords
Citation
Sandell, K. (2019), "Olfactory cues and purchase behavior: consumer characteristics as moderators", European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 53 No. 7, pp. 1378-1399. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJM-12-2017-0918
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited