10 Ways Stores Make You Spend More During the Holidays

They Use Warming Scents

Retailers also use holiday-specific scents to try to increase your will to spend money, said Corella.

“Retailers often scent their stores during the holidays with seasonal fragrances such as gingerbread and pine,” she said. “Similar to Christmas music, this tactic invokes a sense of warmness and generosity, all leading to larger purchases.”

This tactic is used by small and large businesses, and can be especially effective when the scent complements music being played, said Bruce Sanders, a retail consultant, consumer psychologist and author of “Sell Well: What Really Moves Your Shoppers.”

“Small retail stores use candles, and large retailers use fragrance diffuser machines,” he said. “If Christmas music and Christmas scent in the store match up, people say they like the store and merchandise better and are more likely to shop at the store.”

Sensory experiences can play a large role in your perception of a store and brand. The more pleasant the shopping experience, the more likely you’ll walk out the door with less money in your hand.