Healthy snacks and plant-based meats may have been on the up before the pandemic, but self-isolation is driving people to switch up their eating habits. Processed foods like Hamburger Helper and SpaghettiOs are increasingly popular thanks to their pantry longevity and nostalgic comfort.

In an always-on consumer culture, people are used to buying what they want whenever they want. But can possessions comfort and fulfill us during uncertain times? Canvas8 spoke to Bruce Hood, author ofPossessed,to understand the psychology behind owning new things.

How might a tonal shift help high-end labels attract a younger audience? What role can unconventional influencers play in engaging Gen Z luxe shoppers? Do people still want flashy products with no practical value? And what exactly is the appeal of digital dress-up apps?

COVID-19 could potentially reshape people’s shopping habits based on the way that businesses respond to the crisis. Canvas8 spoke to semiotics expert Soma Ghosh to learn how brands are honing their communications to reassure and empower audiences – and win their loyalty in the process.