Perfumania

Perfumania used to be the T.J. Maxx of the fragrance world—a bargain basement of overstock or out-of-season colognes and eaux de toilette. In 2004, however, the chain changed its hook, and began to sell more than 500 au courant fragrances. The undesirables were gone but the desirable prices remained, with the stores continuing to offer goods at a discount of anywhere from five to almost eighty percent off the suggested retail price. Today, the stores stock a seemingly endless variety of fragrances for men and women, from classics like Chanel No. 5 and Quelques Fleurs to scents by high-end design houses Armani, Burberry, and Yves Saint Laurent; there are also the now-requisite celebrity scents by J. Lo, Elizabeth Taylor, Paris Hilton, and the Olsen Twins. The Times Square flagship sees a predominantly tour-bus crowd—visitors to the States looking for the latest fragrances by the greatest American designers—but the satellite stores attract more locals. All fragrances are displayed behind the counter, clearly marked with both the retail price and the lower Perfumania rate; staff members are on hand to offer test sprays or recommendations.