Sensory marketing is the secret to creating unforgettable brand experiences. From ASMR to packaging design, brands that engage multiple senses drive deeper emotional connections.
March 4, 2025
Studio
Ever walked into a shop, caught a familiar scent, and suddenly been flooded with memories?
Or scrolled past an ad that made you feel something—whether it was the silky smoothness of a skincare product or the crunch of a perfectly toasted sandwich?
That’s sensory marketing in action.
Brands that engage multiple senses don’t just capture attention, they create experiences that stick.
In 2025, with consumers more distracted than ever, sensory marketing isn’t just a trend, it’s a game-changer.
Sensory marketing is all about engaging the five senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—to create deeper emotional connections with your audience. When done right, it transforms brands from something people see to something they experience.
And science backs it up.
Studies show that the more senses you engage, the stronger the memory. That’s why we remember the smell of a certain perfume or the sound of a nostalgic jingle years later.
Some of the biggest names are already tapping into sensory marketing to boost engagement and brand love:
Rhode – Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand doesn’t just sell products; it sells an experience. By pairing its hydrating lip treatments with visuals of glossy, syrup-drenched pancakes or creamy ice cream, Rhode creates a connection between beauty and indulgence.
MESHKI – This fashion brand took things to another level by collaborating with food artist Sibatable to recreate its clothing… out of noodles. The result? A social media sensation that blended fashion with food in a way that was impossible to ignore.
Glossier – For the launch of its Black Cherry collection, Glossier didn’t just post about it—they created an entire Black Cherry Diner pop-up, complete with rich cherry-red tones, moody lighting, and a 1950s aesthetic that made customers feel like they’d stepped into a different world.
Abercrombie & Fitch - This clothing brand is a prime example of scent marketing done right. If you’ve ever stepped into one of their stores, you’ll instantly recognise their signature woody aroma. What started with employees spraying the scent by hand has now evolved into a seamless experience, with nebulisers diffusing it throughout the space.
Lululemon - Another clothing brand that uses sensory marketing to create a welcoming and memorable shopping experience. By engaging sight, sound, smell, and touch, they build stronger customer connections and reinforce brand loyalty.
Their stores are carefully designed to enhance the shopping journey. Soft lighting creates a calming atmosphere, while thoughtfully designed fitting rooms provide a tactile experience. To further immerse customers in the brand’s lifestyle, some locations even feature in-store sweat studios, encouraging engagement with fitness.
Halfords - Their stores feature clear signage, organised displays, and a distinct orange and black color scheme that instantly captures attention, while background music sets a relaxed yet purposeful tone. Customers can touch and test products like bikes and car accessories, reinforcing confidence in their purchases, and the scent of car care products and new bikes adds to the authenticity of the environment.
These brands understand one thing, if you want to be memorable, you need to engage the senses.
Want to tap into sensory marketing for your brand? Here’s where to start:
Think beyond visuals – Yes, aesthetics matter. But how can you layer in sound, texture, or even scent to enhance the experience?
Create a signature sound – Whether it’s a catchy audio cue or a carefully chosen soundtrack, sound shapes brand identity.
Play with texture – If you sell physical products, packaging matters. Luxury brands use heavier materials and soft-touch finishes to create a premium feel before you even open the box.
Utilise social media – Platforms like Instagram and TikTok thrive on sensory content. ASMR, satisfying textures, and close-up visuals all drive engagement.
Track the impact – Use insights and analytics to see how sensory-driven campaigns affect engagement, conversions, and brand sentiment.
Sensory marketing isn’t just a tactic,it’s a way to create meaningful connections that go beyond a single scroll or purchase. Brands that tap into the power of sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell win attention, drive loyalty, and create experiences people actually remember.
Want to bring sensory marketing into your strategy? Get in touch and see how we can help.
