Many marketing plans have included aroma as a selling aid. Usually it is related to the food business concepts, such as opening cookie shops with baking ovens in direct access to passersby at malls. They use the smell of fresh-baked cookies to lure shoppers. Theaters have blown the smell of fresh popcorn through their air vents with good results. Recently the field of scent engineering has taken off in a new direction.
Hotels use perfumed air fresheners to mask musty or smoky odors in their rooms.
Problems with Scent Engineering A number of problems with scent engineering could give this latest marketing ploy a potentially short life. The first is liability - lawsuits from people allergic to the scents. Also, many people react differently to scents. Realtors always tell you not to cook when showing your home. Some will argue that the smell of an apple pie in the oven will make the house seem homey.