For many black, Hispanic, and low-income communities in the US, healthy food options are hard to come by. Set up in response to the dearth of nutritious fare in Brooklyn, Sol Sips a pop-up shop-turned-restaurant with an expansive vegan menu and affordable prices.

Seitan and Fabanaise – that’s ‘wheat meat’ and mayonnaise made with chickpea water – might not have reached the shelves of the average Tesco yet, but veganism is infiltrating the mainstream. How can companies step up to meet the needs of more than half a million Brits who are vegan?

From cupcakes to handbags, almost anything can be vegan – and that includes condoms. US-born brand Sustain Natural offers cruelty-free contraceptives that are also organic and fair-trade – perfect for people who are increasingly conscious of the toxins in and provenance of everyday products.

As the public's demand for tactile shopping experiences and true sustainability grows, IKEA is tapping into the power of multi-functional retail spaces. Its sustainable store concept in Greenwich forms part of a strategy to adapt to the changing needs of urban populations.