The significance of fragrance and olfactory acuity for the consumer household product market

Abstract

The research for this paper evolved from fragrance investigations undertaken within the Product Evaluation Department at SC Johnson Research and Development Centre. It aims to assess the odour perception capabilities of consumers, to compare their odour perception levels and fragrance preferences and to determine whether gender or age affect differential sensitivity to odours. Research into olfaction is inconclusive, but it is valuable for establishing some of the factors which affect the sense of smell. Olfaction and the realm of fragrance are closely related and one cannot be fully understood without the other. Both concepts will be examined through this research and reference will be made to the ‘trickle‐down effect’ which is of particular relevance to the household product market.