As the new post-pandemic normal settles in and people adapt to a context of uncertainty, constant adversities, and pessimism, we are moving away from a moment in which consumers expected brands to rise up to society's challenges and into one when they’re demanding genuine allyship from businesses.

It’s a bleak time for UK consumers as they face rising food costs, as well as skyrocketing petrol, energy bills, tax, and mortgage payments. How can brands innovate, inspire, and demonstrate real value with a long-term view of sustainability in order to weather the storm?

John Lewis has been a bastion of middle-class Britain for more than a century. But, amid the shift away from the high street, the boom of online shopping, and pandemic lockdowns it is an ailing business seeking recovery. Can its new ANYDAY range attract a new customer base and reverse its fortunes?

As prices for essentials rise across the UK, people are finding inventive ways to cut costs while actively seeking out services that relieve the strain. As established infrastructures like food banks come under pressure, social supermarkets and new technologies are helping some to bridge the gap.

Wagestream lets people see what they have earned in real-time and can provide access to their wages at any time during their pay cycle. This can prevent people from going into overdraft or taking out expensive payday loans – particularly important during the financial uncertainty of the pandemic.