Journal of Management and Marketing Research
The effects of sensory, page 1
The effects of sensory marketing on the implementation of fast-food marketing campaigns
Natalia Buitrago Hinestroza
Bangkok University
Paul TJ James
Bangkok University
ABSTRACT
Mass marketing strategies are failing in the way they connect to customers. Current strategies tend to focus on mass appeal to a general population, and in doing so fail to appeal to individual tastes and preferences of their desired customer base. The need to identify new marketing strategies to reach the target market, and to remain in the customers’ minds as their first choice, is of high importance. Sensory marketing is an emerging technique that integrates the five human senses in order to create a total experience that the customer remembers. An investigation of sensory marketing is undertaken in this research, using Au Bon Pain stores in Thailand as a case study in order to demonstrate its effectiveness in the fast-food industry.
Au Bon Pain stores in Thailand were investigated using the qualitative approach of triangulation, which consisted of secondary data provided by the company, an interview with Au Bon Pain management and direct observation of Au bon Pain stores by the researcher. These sources were then compared and used in complementation to provide evidence for this study.
The results of this study show the effectiveness of the use of sensory marketing in Au Bon Pain stores in Thailand, through a reported increase in sales and the expansion of the company through new products offered and the opening of new stores. The company has adapted to the local Thai environment and has proven to be a successful brand recognized through the country as a result of the implementation of sensory marketing.
Keywords: Sensory marketing, fast-food marketing, human senses, Au Bon Pain, Customer’s emotions, brand loyalty.
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