Global e-tail is set to be worth $2.5 trillion by 2018, and the number of companies using the internet to sell directly to customers is similarly set to boom. How might using heat maps, pared down product ranges and gamification help them capture a larger slice of the e-commerce pie?

Two out of five internet users have bought a product online. But a lengthy payment process means we often abandon purchases at the checkout. What if you could buy using just an email address and postcode? By separating ‘buying’ from ‘paying’, Klarna promises stress-free online shopping.

Mobile shopping is meant to be convenient, but it can be incredibly frustrating. Between small text, fiddly checkouts and slow pages, platforms that aren't mobile-friendly can even put people off a purchase. A study of over 100,000 shoppers has unearthed what really grinds people's gears on mobile.

With the average UK commute lasting 38 minutes, communications that provide convenience, entertainment or a simple distraction can make the time spent travelling feel shorter. But what do people read, play or buy going from A to B? And how are brands engaging this captive audience?

Becoming a parent is one of life’s most stressful – albeit cherished – moments. With Brits spending an average of £1,619 to prepare for a baby, some mums are buying on their smartphones at all hours. But how do new mothers really like to shop? And which brands are meeting their needs?

Beacons may not have caught on as many initially predicted, but they’re now smaller, smarter and starting to impact sales; it’s thought they’ll influence $40 billion in sales in 2016. Can apps like Notify Nearby get the tills ringing through personalised notifications and curated content?

Global menswear sales are set to reach $110 billion by 2019, up 36% on 2014. In response, there’s been an influx of stylish start-ups focused solely on men. Curatum is a discovery platform offering one new product each day. Is a minimal, mobile model the right way to get the modern man spending?

Mobile commerce is still unchartered territory for many retailers, but it’s predicted to be worth more than $3 trillion by 2017. 'Tinder for shopping' app Grabble is luring shoppers in with a swipe-based interface that brings a whole new meaning to the term ‘impulse buy’.