The scent of vanilla, warm amber lighting and a carefully chosen playlist could be what keeps shoppers browsing longer in UK shops.
A new study by Faire, an online wholesale marketplace, that surveyed 2,000 shoppers found that the right atmosphere would encourage the average person in the UK to stay in a shop for longer than intended.
Four in five said they can immediately tell when a shopkeeper has put genuine thought into the atmosphere of a store, and almost nine in 10 said a well-considered atmosphere would keep them browsing past the point they had planned to leave.
The study also found that certain scents could help encourage Brits to stay in shops, with vanilla topping the list, followed closely by fresh linen and clean cotton. Citrus, floral fragrances, woody scents such as sandalwood or oud, and coffee also proved popular.
Music also plays an important part in customer behaviour, as the study found that pop music was the genre most likely to encourage browsing, along with R&B and 1990s and 2000s throwback songs.
When asked what aspects of a shop put them off the most, however, more than half of all respondents cited loud music, followed by pushy staff, overpowering smells, and stores that felt cluttered or had messy shelving.
For retired architect Jinny Keatinge, 67, seemingly small details can immediately influence whether she chooses to buy.
She said: 'For me, it is all about how the shop looks, and the most infuriating thing is when shops don't have any prices on the products.
'That would put me off buying anything because you are afraid of how much it is going to cost and you don't want to ask.
'It's also about the staff and not being pestered. Just a simple hello is enough. I don't want to feel like I'm being followed around or pressured into buying something.'
Creative producer Aurelia Lorimer, 26, believes atmosphere is about authenticity rather than perfection, saying: 'I love unique stores and vintage stores.
'I know the smell of vintage stores is a bit musky, but I do love it, and it adds character to the shop.
'I like shops that are well curated but at the same time look like they have a lot of clutter. The layout and how clothes are displayed is what catches my eye and makes me want to buy something.
'I also hate shops that have painful music playing constantly. It has to have a good balance, calm but with some character.'
Jennifer Cadet, 39, said having knowledgeable staff is every bit as important as attractive surroundings.
She said: 'I love little independent stores and love it when it feels like you are buying something local and something that nobody else has.
'I like being able to have a conversation with the people in the store when they are really knowledgeable about what they have in stock.'
Customer experience expert Stephen Spencer said sensory experiences shape how a shop feels to walk into, explaining that 'it's not rocket science, it's neuroscience'.
'Smells, sounds and all the senses trigger emotions. If they're the right emotions for the moment, they make people feel at ease and encourage them to stay longer.'