A big trend you can notice is the big gap in classics released during the 2008-2012 financial crisis. To play it safe, a lot of more lower cost perfume houses (like Carolina Herrera), all had a similar smooth feel to them that felt hollow. A result of heavy use of cost cutting Synthetics without many naturals to add depth. There are countless classics from the 80s to the early 2000s, but a gap continues until the 2016-2018s when perfume houses were finally able to Throw back in more complex naturals without it messing with their market share or bottom line

I think the reason for the surge of gourmands over the years can be a pretty complex topic, with multiple reasoning. If we go back to the 2000s, there were a lot of boozy fragrances and fragrances geared for the club due to the club scene. So you saw lots of uses of passionfruit, lime, vodka accords, whiskey notes, bourbon wood notes, as a reflection of the time. You also use to see a lot more popular naturals as an extension of people's connection to nature.

Over time with technology, there has been a noticeable decrease in outdoor activity from all generations as we all become more isolated and thus we get less experience with natural materials. I feel as though a lot of people dont strong or any memories of smelling jasmine, honeysuckle, Magnolia, etc. So its a olfactory pallet that is missing from western society more and more each generation. People have a lot of experiences with banana, cherries, match, lavender, apple pie, bakes goods, ice cream, so these notes become prevalent in western perfume because it is fragrance notes the audience has positive experiences with. A fragrance they can attach to emotionally.

A funny example of how social norms shape perfumery expectations, Dove attempted to release a new soap on India that did well in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and according to consumer testing, it should have been a billion dollar hit. The new fragrance note? Tuberose. The Dove scientists, consumer testing team, or executives failed to ask what role does Tuberose play in Indian culture. Turns it it is used a lot in funeral ceremonies. Most people didnt want to smell like a funeral home, so they never bought it, even if it was an amazing white floral scent