An email from Doris Anderson of the Golden Pear gift shop on Main Street in Kelseyville, California:

“Loved the article ‘Sense of Smell.’ This is something that has been overlooked for too long in business. I use this marketing device all the time, as well as music to get people to come into my store (I piped music outside of the store). It’s incredible how well it works. I would suggest that small businesses, in particular, just try it!

“I also have a cat (real) in my store, loves to lay in the window; you would think by the response that people had ever seen a cat before. Sasha, my little black and white cat, is my best salesperson. I have rescued and adopted out three cats. They are great company on those slow rainy days, and on top of all this, a great way to save a little life.”

Quite a combination–scents, music and a cat. Animals are something I hadn’t thought about as merchandising tool. But I have seen quite a few shops of all kinds that have a talking parrot inside or out. That never fails to bring in the customers.

Sounds like Doris did what I recommend: Experiment with all the senses. Scents, sounds, pets–any kind of unexpected sensory stimulation might do the trick. Just don’t put Sasha and Polly in the same window. At least until they learn to tolerate each other.