From the aroma of freshly baked bread in a grocery store to the crisp scent of a new car, our senses play a crucial role in shaping our perceptions and evaluations of products. However, recent research has delved deeper into the relationship between visuals and olfactory sensations, uncovering fascinating insights into how pictures of scented objects can influence consumer behavior.

Today, we had the privilege of speaking with Zachary Estes, Professor of Marketing, Co-Director of the Behavioral Research Lab, and Director of the PhD in Management at Bayes Business School, City University of London, and Varun Sharma, Assistant Teaching Professor of Marketing at Carnegie Mellon University, Qatar. Their research delves into the intricate interplay between cognition, emotion, and consumer behavior, focusing on sensory marketing and its impact on product evaluation.

This research sheds light on the transformative potential of olfactory visuals to leverage scent in marketing and how, in certain instances, these visuals offer brands a strategic advantage in capturing consumer attention.