Gift Focus - Nov/Dec 2017 (Issue 104)

According to new research released this October from Yankee Candle®, single Brits are on the lookout for love this autumn with over a third (39 per cent) admitting that they are more likely to crave a partner to cosy up with as the colder, darker nights draw in. Furthermore, almost one in five single men and women (17 per cent) are more likely to use a dating app to find a partner as the weather begins to turn. Over a quarter of all Brits (29 per cent) agreed that they feel more romantic in autumn than any other season of the year – which equates to over 15 million Brits who are starting to get in the mood for love. Whilst many believe that appearance and personality hold the key to a successful relationship, the new insights reveal that falling in love could be just a sniff away. As the seasons begin to change, the scents that get Brits in the mood for love include perfume (19 per cent), log fires (15 per cent) and fresh flowers (14 per cent). Perhaps surprisingly one in 10 (10 per cent) consider the smell of rain to be the most romantic scent. When seeking romance, over three quarters (77 per cent) agreed that they’re more likely to be attracted to a partner or potential partner if they smell nice, and it doesn’t stop there with a further eight in 10 (83 per cent) claiming that the scent of a person’s home is also an important factor to consider. Almost a third (30 per cent) of single Brits said that if they didn’t like their date’s perfume or aftershave it would be a turn off, and one in 10 (10 per cent) even admitted that bad aftershave or perfume would kill the potential for a second date. Dr Lynda Shaw, Cognitive neuroscientist and psychologist said, “When we inhale a scent it reaches the olfactory receptor cells at the top of our nose and then travels to the limbic system in our brains, resulting in chemical and physical stimulation. The limbic system is associated with memory, emotion and mood which therefore explains why our sense of scent plays such a powerful role in physical attraction.” Fall-ing in love For those on the lookout for love, over a third of women (35 per cent) prefer to smell deep, woody fragrances on a partner and over a quarter (26 per cent) find fresh scents the most attractive. A quarter of men (24 per cent) prefer fresh scents and one in eight (13 per cent) prefer sweet scents such as vanilla. Almost half of those surveyed (47 per cent) claimed that their ideal autumn date would be cuddling up on the sofa with a partner or someone they’re dating, and four in 10 (41 per cent) would love to take a long autumn walk with a partner. For almost a quarter (24 per cent) cooking a seasonal autumn meal for their partner or someone they’re dating would be their idea of a perfect date. The research marks the launch of Yankee Candle’s® new Fall in Love range of fragrances including scents such as Warm Cashmere, Autumn Glow, Vibrant Saffron and Mulberry & Fig Delight – the perfect accompaniment to a romantic night in. Hannah Jenkins, Brand Activation and Channel Marketing Director EMEA Yankee Candle®, said, “Whether it’s the warm and vibrant colours of the leaves or the fruity and earthy scents of the forest, there’s certainly something about the autumn season that’s magically romantic. It’s this feeling of love and contentment that Yankee Candle aims to capture in its new Fall in Love collection.” She continued, “For those looking for love, or hoping to reignite a sense of romance in their relationship, snuggling up on the sofa with a warm cashmere blanket and an ambient scented candle can help to soothe and seduce the senses and allow love to blossom as the colder weather sets in.” The nation’s favourite scents When it comes to the most popular scents of the nation, Brits voted freshly baked bread (46 per cent), coffee (36 per cent) and fresh linen or cashmere (30 per cent) amongst their favourites: For more information please contact Yankee Candle and visit the website yankeecandle.co.uk Brits’ top 10 favourite scents: 1. Freshly baked bread 46% 2. Sunday roast 39% 3. Coffee 36% 4. Freshly washed clothes 32% 5. Cakes baking in the oven 31% 6. Fresh linen/cashmere 31% 7. Log fires 26% 8. Fresh flowers 26% 9. Vanilla 26% 10. Apple crumble 25% giftfocus 95 yankee candle