How India’s Top 9 Fragrance Brands Achieved 15% Growth with Verifast

Introduction

The fragrance industry has long been dominated by offline sales, where customers can experience scents in person before making a purchase. However, in today’s e-commerce-driven world, fragrance brands are struggling to translate this sensory experience online.

Despite the growing shift toward digital commerce, offline sales still account for the majority of total fragrance purchases, while online fragrance sales struggle with lower conversion rates, higher cart abandonment, and customer hesitation.

Recent reports show shocking data of Offline vs. Online Sales:

• Offline fragrance sales still make up 67% of total purchases.

• Only 33% of global fragrance sales happen online, showing the gap in e-commerce.

• 79% of fragrance shoppers abandon carts online due to uncertainty about scent suitability.

These numbers highlight the difficulty of selling fragrances online—without the ability to smell a scent before purchasing, customers hesitate, leading to one of the highest cart abandonment rates in e-commerce.

The Challenges of Selling Fragrances Online

1. Sensory Gap & Purchase Hesitation

Unlike skincare or apparel, fragrances rely on scent, memory, and emotion—elements that don’t translate well in digital commerce. Customers hesitate because they:

• Can’t smell the fragrance before purchasing.

• Don’t know if a perfume matches their style or personality.

• Feel overwhelmed by technical fragrance notes like “woody amber” or “oriental floral.”

2. Poor Customer Engagement & Decision Paralysis

• Customers need expert guidance, but traditional e-commerce only provides static product descriptions.

• Too many options with no recommendations lead to drop-offs before checkout.

• Brands miss the opportunity to personalize the experience and build trust.

3. High Cart Abandonment Rates

• Without confidence in their purchase, customers leave without buying.

• Fragrance e-commerce has one of the highest cart abandonment rates—averaging 79%.

• Brands struggle to re-engage potential buyers effectively.

The Solution: How Verifast AI Helped Bridge the Gap

Verifast AI replicated the in-store shopping experience through AI-driven engagement, making online fragrance shopping feel as interactive and personalized as an in-store consultation.

1. AI-Powered Fragrance Consultation

Instead of leaving customers to browse aimlessly, Verifast AI guided them through the fragrance discovery process in real time.

Understanding Customer Preferences – AI asked key questions like:

• “Do you prefer fresh, woody, or musky scents?”

• “Are you looking for a fragrance for daily wear or special occasions?”

Personalized Fragrance Recommendations – Based on inputs, AI recommended scent families, longevity, and ideal occasions for different perfumes.

Example Interaction:

• Customer: “I love Oud Ispahan but want something lighter.”

• Verifast AI: “You’ll love Royal Agarwood—similar depth, but softer on the nose.”

2. Brand-Adapted AI Responses for Higher Engagement

Not all fragrance brands cater to the same audience. Verifast AI customized its responses to match a brand’s identity, tone, and customer base.

• Luxury Brands: Elegant, sophisticated descriptions to match the premium feel.

• Gen-Z & Trendy Brands: Fun, emoji-driven responses with catchy phrases.

• Mass-Market Brands: Straightforward, easy-to-understand recommendations.

Example:

• For a premium brand: “Indulge in Imperial Oud, a timeless scent crafted for those who appreciate sophistication.”

• For a Gen-Z brand: “Looking for a confidence boost? 🚀 Try Amber Rush—it’s power in a bottle!”

3. AI-Powered Scent Matching & Smart Comparisons

Fragrance customers often search for scents similar to their favorites but struggle to find equivalents.

• AI-driven scent matching helped users find perfumes based on notes they already loved.

• Smart comparisons enabled users to discover alternatives to luxury fragrances at different price points.

• Gifting guidance helped users find the perfect fragrance for special occasions.

One brand’s Tom Ford Oud Wood is another brand’s Royal Agarwood—because great scents get different names, but customers still want the same vibe.

4. Cart Recovery & Personalized Discounts

Verifast AI targeted hesitant buyers with strategic nudges, reducing drop-offs.

• Abandoned cart recovery: AI re-engaged users with personalized messages like “Still thinking about this? Here’s a 10% discount just for you!”

• Limited-time offers: AI created urgency with time-sensitive discounts.

• Customer trust-building: AI displayed testimonials and reviews to reassure hesitant buyers.

The Results: 15% Growth & Higher Customer Engagement

📈 ₹35M+ in revenue generated through AI-powered sales.

🛍 18% drop in cart abandonment.

💬 250K+ customer interactions, reducing hesitation and decision fatigue.

⏳ 92% Queries resolved, reducing drop-offs and increasing conversions.

Conclusion: AI is Revolutionizing Fragrance E-Commerce

For years, fragrance brands struggled to convert hesitant shoppers into buyers. With Verifast AI, these brands finally created an interactive, personalized, and trust-driven shopping experience that mimics the in-store consultant online.

The future of fragrance shopping isn’t static product pages—it’s AI-powered engagement. And if you’re not leveraging it yet, your competitors already are.