Walking around the mall, many stores may catch one’s eye. Suddenly, an appealing fragrance is in the air. Turning one’s head, a store comes into sight. Bath & Body Works is filled with associates and customers bustling around. Everyone’s conversations can be heard, but from the outside, it all sounds like white noise. Venturing inside allows for a closer examination of everyone as an objective observer.
It is easy to see from standing right outside the entrance of Bath & Body Works what everyone is doing. Associates are looking around, lotion or perfume bottles in hand, searching for customers to assist. They are wearing permanent smiles on their faces, attempting to look as welcoming and helpful as possible. Taking cover behind displays are customers, who prefer to shop without being disturbed. Their eyes can be seen darting around, trying to avoid the sometimes-pushy associates. The majority of customers are women, many of whom are mothers. These mothers are seen tugging at their children’s hands, attempting to avoid a potentially embarrassing accident involving broken glass and spilt lotion. Associates are obviously bored and wanting to go home. They are not on the lookout for customers, but rather looking at their watches, phones, or even trying on products. Among the bored associates, are bored significant-others, wandering aimlessly around the store, also avoiding associates. They can be seen carrying purses, and often have their arms crossed.
It becomes easier to make out the many conversations floating around the store once stepping inside Bath & Body Works. The associates sound like broken records. Their unchanging inquiries of, “What are you looking for today?” and “Would you like to try this new scent?” bombard the eardrums. In response, many customers are heard stuttering back, “Uhh, no thank you, just, uhh, looking.” Mothers who are shopping are yelling at their wailing children to leave breakable products alone. Significant-others sound like more broken records, asking, “Can we leave yet?” or “Are you finished yet?” Walking toward the registers, cashiers are heard upselling customers. “Sponges are only $3.50! Would you like to add one to your purchase today?”
Steering away from the determined cashiers, one decides to poke around the different displays in the store. Going from corner to corner, overwhelming amounts of diverse aromas from every collection assault the senses. The ambiance in one area allows anyone to imagine their self in front of a fireplace roasting marshmallows while someone bakes a delicious pumpkin pie. Warm vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves immerse the little nook; seemingly coming from an imaginary kitchen. In the next area, one feels transferred to a private island where coconut and mango trees surround as a fresh margarita is served. If one were to continue investigating, they would feel like they had arrived to somewhere in Asia. They would be welcomed with the rich scent of Japanese cherry blossoms. The smell of something reminiscent of rain is also lingering. Continuing to walk leads to more aromas that jump out such as candles burning, create a relaxing atmosphere.
Outside again, walking away from the store, all of the sights, sounds, and smells inside of Bath & Body Works linger in the mind.