From the UK to Japan, people are proudly heading to cheap and cheerful fixed price retailers to buy everything from household essentials to party gifts and cosmetics. Why is this shopping experience so attractive? And can these stores stand the test of time in a competitive retail environment?

Urban living has taken on a new face, with a generation of tech-savvy 20-somethings flitting around cities in Ubers and finding dates with a swipe. But while some needs are being met through tech, French retailer Carrefour is hoping to satisfy everything else with simplified store concept, Urbano.

Many of the grocery shopping apps released in recent years cater to more affluent consumers who’ll spend a bit extra to get their order ASAP. Basket instead serves shoppers looking to make small savings, letting them compare prices at over 165,000 stores to ensure they get the best deal.

Despite their love of online shopping, young Americans still see great value in supercentres, with many visiting a Target and Walmart on a weekly basis. In the first of a two-part report, we explore how big box retailers are tapping into aspirational consumerism to grab the interest of Gen Y.

Instagram is an endless source of fashion inspiration, letting users follow trendsetters and luxury labels all in one place. But there’s a shift occurring as brands look to generate business in addition to likes. How is Bespoke Your World helping unknown designers stand out and sell their wares?

The traditional buying model relied on three steps: experience a need, shop to satisfy that need, then use the product. But with 45% of shopping journeys now using mobile to discover or buy, purchasing has been integrated into people’s daily routines. How can brands adapt to this new retail reality?

How do people want their parcels delivered? Do they want brands to act like mates? And how do they shop on mobile? As part of our Expert Outlook 2017 series, we speak to three experts about experiential retail, big brands taking inspiration from start-ups, and how mobile makes people impatient.

As e-commerce and brick-and-mortar begin to settle into a comfortable co-existence, a new retail format is beginning to emerge, blending the best of both worlds in experiential spaces that are neither store nor home. But why are digital-first labels deciding to go offline at all?