Everything Americans throw into their baskets and trolleys as they peruse the aisles of their local supermarket has built an industry that's worth over $600 billion. But who actually heads out to pick up the groceries and when they do it is changing. How are big chains and local mini-marts adapting?

Self-service checkouts, with their ‘shouty’ voices and technical hiccups, have a bad reputation among Britons. So, how would they feel about an entirely automated retail experience? Canvas8 spoke with 20 people from across the UK to find out whether they would shop at a staffless grocery store.

By adopting a digitally driven, direct-to-consumer model, shipping goods straight from factories and eliminating ‘brand tax’, the Brandless site is a store where all products cost $3 or less. But will the service offer enough of an incentive to tempt people away from their local supermarket?

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.