‘Til death us do part’ is usually reserved for weddings. But as sustainability becomes a bigger concern, it could be applied to our prized possessions, from cashmere jumpers to iPhones. But how achievable is this in a world where acquiring and upgrading are the status quo?

Two current chart-topping hits – Suit & Tie and Thrift Shop – seem to present opposing views on consumer behaviour and social trends, but are they more similar than they appear? Anthropologist Krystal D'Costa explains.

The desire to own and drive your own car used to be a life-defining characteristic for young Brits – but its importance is fading. And it’s the same case in other countries too, from the US and Germany to Japan and Australia. But why? And how is the car industry responding?

In the face of hardship, consumers are reassessing what value means. Frugality and streamlining are in, but a deeper shift is to a notion of value increasingly mediated by the collective.