A new Barilla chocolate spread is set to challenge Nutella’s dominant position within the Italian market. The product’s ethical and healthier positioning will likely appeal to Italy's eco-conscious, who are ditching certain brands that use products that have negative effects on the environment.

Chinese blogger Hao Yu, has accused Estée Lauder of deliberately misleading shoppers with claims that their products can heal burn scars. Yu claims that global brands are not treating Chinese consumers with the same respect as they show Western shoppers, and this risks alienating them.

Honesty is the number one quality for people when deciding whether to buy into a brand – and brands are responding by presenting an image of greater transparency. One of the reasons crowdfunding platforms have flourished is because they take people on a journey from start to finish, while buying locally sourced produce is becoming increasingly important for consumers. But as brands have cottoned on to this desire for greater transparency, some have fuelled distrust by manufacturing appealing supply chain stories, rather than provide honest facts. As a result, people are more cynical than ever.

The world’s going to hell, right? A full 71% of Britons say the world is getting worse. Actually, things may not be so bad – but research suggests we’re inclined to feel that way. We sit down with assistant professor of behavioural science Ed O’Brien to discuss the effects of negativity bias.