When I pulled out from home this morning onto Historic Route 66, I was immediately met by a stream of bicyclists. I hadn’t realized the Big BAM (Bike Across Missouri) Route 66 tour was coming through Webster County.

Route 66 has always been a popular tourist destination, but with the highway celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, there seems to be even more interest in traveling the legendary “Mother Road.”

Seeing all those bicycles brought back memories. When we first moved to Missouri in 1980, we lived only about a quarter-mile from where we are now and drove Route 66 every day. Back then, portions of the highway still had “lip curbs” along the edges of the narrow concrete lanes. We were very glad when they disappeared—and watching those bicyclists maneuver the highway this morning made me especially thankful they’re gone!

About ten days ago, we had our own reason to head west on Historic Route 66 for a day trip to Tulsa. And, as usual, fragrance came along for the ride.

Before leaving, I added a Belle Aroma® ScentSlides Unplugged to my SUV. I chose the Fleur Medallion in Nickel Gray because it coordinates beautifully with my silver vehicle and its black and gray interior.

ScentSlides Unplugged are designed to freshen small spaces without plugs, sprays or messy fragrance products. They can be clipped to a vehicle vent for enhanced fragrance distribution or used in closets, drawers, gym bags and other small spaces.

They can be enjoyed with Belle Aroma® Scent Slices or Essential Oil Pads, giving customers another reason to come back to your store to refresh their fragrance or try something new.

And that makes ScentSlides Unplugged especially interesting for retailers.

Turn One Product Into an Easy In-Store Story

Instead of displaying ScentSlides as simply another fragrance product, show customers where they can use them.

Create a small “Take Fragrance Anywhere” display with a ScentSlides Unplugged alongside a purse, gym bag, car keys or travel accessories. A simple sign could suggest:

For the Car • Closet • Gym Bag • Drawer • Office • Travel

Customers may immediately understand using fragrance in their homes, but sometimes they need help imagining all the other places fragrance can go.

You can also merchandise the different medallion colors as part of the appeal. Choices such as Nickel Gray, Sea Glass Green, Frosted Sandstone Brown, Granny Smith Apple Green, Serenity Blue and Rose Quartz Pink allow customers to select a look that suits their vehicle, décor or personality.

Scent Slices offer another selling opportunity. With choices such as Bamboo Rain, Thai Orchid, Evergreen, Crème Brûlée, High Range Cedar, and Citrus Sky, customers can change fragrance with the season or simply whenever they want something different.

Try grouping several fragrances together under a sign such as:

“Where will your next fragrance take you?”

Then rotate your featured scent throughout the year—Crème Brûlée for fall, Evergreen for the holidays, Citrus Sky for travel season or Bamboo Rain when customers are looking for something fresh and clean.

This turns a reusable fragrance accessory into an opportunity for repeat fragrance purchases.

On our trip to Tulsa, I used an Essential Oil Pad with Belle Aroma® Balsam Peru Essential Oil. It’s warm, sweet, balsamic aroma with soft vanilla-like undertones made the vehicle smell wonderful without being overwhelming.

Retailers can demonstrate this versatility by displaying ScentSlides Unplugged with both Scent Slices and Essential Oil Pads. Some customers naturally gravitate toward traditional home fragrance, while others prefer essential oils. Showing both options allows one product to appeal to different types of fragrance shoppers.

You might even create a simple bundle:

Choose Your ScentSlides + Choose Your Fragrance

It makes the purchase easy and gives your staff a natural opening to ask, “Would you like fragrance or essential oil with that?”

Our Route 66 Adventure Continues

Once the car was ready and Tosh was situated for the day, we headed west.

Our first stop was Carthage, Missouri, where we visited the beautiful Jasper County Courthouse. Built in 1894–1895, its towers and turrets make it look almost like a castle. For history lovers traveling Route 66, it’s certainly worth a stop.

From there we headed toward Oklahoma and eventually hopped onto the turnpike so we could make better time to Tulsa.

And I was especially glad that, after a long day away from home, the ScentSlides Unplugged was still there quietly adding fragrance to our ride home.

The Retail Takeaway

Products like ScentSlides Unplugged become easier to sell when customers can see themselves using them.

Don’t just place them on a shelf. Tell the story.

Put one near your checkout with car keys beside it. Create a road-trip display. Pair one with a Scent Slice or Essential Oil Pad. Feature a different fragrance each month. Suggest one as a gift for a new driver, traveler, teacher, coworker or anyone who spends a lot of time in the car.

Most importantly, remind customers that fragrance doesn’t have to stay at home.

Sometimes the best way to sell a fragrance product is to help your customer imagine where it might take them next.

Stock ScentSlides Unplugged, Scent Slice, Essential Oil Pads and Belle Aroma® Essential Oils, then create your own “Scents of Adventure” display and invite your customers to take their favorite fragrance along for the ride.

-Lori Herr for Belle Aroma