In China, IKEA is a furniture-filled theme park where people are welcome to spend an entire day – even if they don’t buy anything. The Swedish furniture store has adapted to the nuances of Chinese shopping - but will it be successful?

While luxury brands move away from the ‘stuffy’ traditions, a new breed of hotels that spans the entire price spectrum is competing to meet the needs of the digitally dependent Millennials. But how is such a long-standing industry redefining itself to meet the needs of Gen Y?

As more guests ask "where can I buy this bedding?", hoteliers are realising they can sell more than a temporary place to stay. They’re taking their role as showrooms for other lifestyle brands more seriously, introducing the idea of the 'shoppable' hotel.

From pharmaceuticals to fashion, retailers are taking cues from Apple, recruiting expert staff, and encouraging consumers to exchange their online shopping behaviour for a lasting relationship with local stores.

Films are full of beautiful things. What if you could buy them while you watched? That’s the plan of New York start-up The Take. They’re promising a future where everything you see on screen can be yours - whether it's the leading lady’s shoes, or a holiday on location.

As digital technology allows us to feel more at home in foreign locations than ever before, brands and companies are looking to cash in on this feeling of belonging. Luxury e-tailor Farfetch has launched a new app called Discover that turns cities into shoppable landscapes.

The internet has become a sprawling hub of images often featuring desirable content – but no place to buy it. California-based start-up The Hunt has set out to tackle the problem by providing a new and interactive online shopping experience.

Israeli start-up Awear Solutions is making awkward 'where did you get that bag?' interactions a thing of the past with an app that lets you scan strangers’ outfits on the go, taking you to the original purchase site. But given that it relies on brand and customer co-operation, does it have growth potential?