How do you beat skyrocketing retail space rent alongside competition from established chains and luxury brands? For emerging designers, the answer may lie in a Hong Kong-based app. But is encouraging customers to "shop elsewhere" self-destructive?

Though 1.34 billion Americans went to the cinema in 2013 alone, independent cinema continues to battle against major picture houses. But in Brazil, Canal O Cubo is an online distribution channel for independent cinema that wants to widen its reach.

Our/Vodka is a spirits brand from Pernod Ricard that's distilled in select cities and made by local producers. But how can the same company that produces 11.3 million cases of Absolut sit alongside indie distilleries? And are people willing to buy ‘local’ from a global giant?

A trip into Shoreditch with Uber could get you 15% off a magazine from Beach London or a free drink at Lyle's. It's the latest offering from the taxi service, bringing small businesses together to champion local spirit. London isn't the only city involved – Boston and San Diego are too.

As legal music sharing becomes ever more integrated with social networks, are experimental releases like The xx’s viral freebie a sign of an industry loosening its shackles and welcoming new ways to deliver content to the web generation?

The Australian coffee shop industry is valued at over $4 billion, and independents account for 95% of all outlets - but the data-driven deals and promotions that big chains can offer pose a threat. Can digital loyalty scheme Rewardle give small coffee shop owners an advantage?

In August 2014, a potato salad project on Kickstarter got over $55,000 in pledges from more than 6,000 people in 74 countries. Potato salad aside, visibility can be a challenge when crowdfunding local gastronomic projects - a problem Foodraising.com is hoping to fix.

With the internet making self-publication easier than ever, from fan fiction to restaurant reviews, how does 'next generation' publisher Net Minds help truly authoritative, quality-focused voices break through the unfiltered multitudes?