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Chapter 17
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-0110-7.ch017
ABSTRACT
In an increasingly competitive and digitally driven fashion market, retailers have to fnd innovative ways to
gain consumers’ attention and amplify their brand (Brakus et al, 2011; Barclay & Odgen-Barnes, 2011).
This paper examines how fashion retailers can reinforce their brand through integrating multi-sensory
experiences within the physical store, specifcally sound, smell, sight, touch and taste and analyses if
sensory retailing really can have a direct infuence on consumer perceptions of a fashion retailer and
consequently on the strength of its brand.
INTRODUCTION
In an increasingly competitive and digitally driven fashion market, retailers have to find innovative ways
to gain consumers’ attention and amplify their brand (Brakus et al, 2011; Barclay & Odgen-Barnes, 2011).
This paper examines how fashion retailers can reinforce their brand through integrating multi-sensory
experiences within the physical store, specifically sound, smell, sight, touch and taste and analyses if
sensory retailing really can have a direct influence on consumer perceptions of a fashion retailer and
consequently on the strength of its brand.
It draws on the theories of experiential and sensory branding and consumer-based brand equity to
infer that multi-sensory branding become an essential element for fashion retailers to operate success-
fully in the current business environment. The field of sensory marketing according to Krishna (2010)
Multi-Sensory Fashion
Retail Experiences:
The Impact of Sound, Smell, Sight and
Touch on Consumer Based Brand Equity
Bethan Alexander
London College of Fashion, UK
Karinna Nobbs
British School of Fashion, UK