As smart speakers become commonplace, more people are conducting searches and interacting with brands using no visual component whatsoever. To maintain its presence and relevance among audio-first consumers, Mastercard has introduced a musical logo as part of its sonic brand identity.

Inspired by the creation of private-label lines, Italic is a marketplace that gives shoppers access to brandless luxury goods at a fraction of the price. Have people really fallen out of love with luxury brands? And what does this direct-to-consumer business model mean for high-end retailers?

You may regularly devour Big Macs after working out or gladly plod around in Crocs at home, but would you tell others about your fondness for those products? Canvas8 spoke to Veronica Thomas, a marketing professor at Towson University, to learn how secrecy affects people’s relationships with brands.

Beauty is in the throes of revolution. As people move away from the idealised to a celebration of real people, brands have an exciting opportunity to tap into the new beauty wave. With its #SephoraSquad, Sephora is going further, inviting everyday people to become influencers for the brand.

For many Britons, Valentine’s Day has become a commercial con. However, as attitudes to relationships are shifting, some are choosing instead to demonstrate their love for their friends, family or themselves, while others are searching for personalised gifts and experiences for their partner.

Subscription boxes have transformed the way many Americans stock up on everyday essentials, – from make-up to toilet paper to snack packs. Scentbird is adapting the model for the modern fragrance buyer, giving them access to hundreds of designer scents for a relatively low monthly cost.

Easter is a Christian holiday, but rising secularism in the UK means that indulgence and family time are taking centre stage. Meanwhile, with wellness trends changing views on confectionery and the experience economy fuelling a desire for Insta-worthy activities, old traditions are being overhauled.

In a city where convenience reigns, cooking at home is usually given short shrift in New York – let alone finding the time to source local ingredients. Local Roots NYC is trying to break that pattern with its subscription service, connecting city dwellers with local farmers and their producers.