Shopping and the Senses, 1800-1970: A Sensory History of Retail and Consumption

This book explores the sensory aspects of retail and consumption, highlighting the importance of touch, smell, taste, sight, and sound in the retail landscape. It demonstrates how sensory experiences and practices have been intertwined with processes and practices of retail and consumption, and how shopping can be both a sensory feast and a source of fatigue. It also emphasizes the integration of sensory histories into the study of retail and consumption and places breathing, feeling human bodies back into the retail space.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 13 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book explores the paramount importance of touch, smell, taste, sight, and sound within the retail landscape. It unveils the intricate connections between the histories of the senses, body, and emotions and the processes and practices of retail and consumption. Shops become sensory havens, offering a feast for the senses with the rustle of silk, the enticing aroma of coffee, and the multi-sensory appeal of goods. This book delves into and beyond this seductive ideal of consumer sensuality, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shape shopping experiences. While shopping has traditionally been a sensory activity for consumers and retailers alike, it is not always a positive experience. This book is inhabited by tired feet, weary workers, and eager shoppers, all navigating the complexities of the retail space. It considers embodied sensory experiences and practices, celebrating the integration of sensory histories into the study of retail and consumption while also interrogating the potential limitations and challenges.

Furthermore, this book reclaims the presence of breathing, feeling human bodies within the retail space, recognizing their significance in shaping our interactions and experiences. By exploring the sensory dimensions of retail, this book offers a fresh perspective on the consumer experience, challenging us to reevaluate our relationship with goods and the spaces we inhabit. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of retail, consumption, and the senses, as well as for those seeking to understand the deeper implications of our sensory experiences in the modern world.

Weight: 303g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030903374
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022