Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

When author Kyle Chayka explored 2010s minimalism in Longing for Less, a very different world existed. Today, a polycrisis-ridden and digitally saturated society finds people yearning for more. Whether you chalk it up to post-pandemic release or a general sense of impending doom, people are now looking for a...

Amid growing concerns about inflation, AriZona Iced Tea has become an unlikely hero on the internet for its commitment to keeping its prices at $0.99 a can. While shoppers scramble to save money at the grocery store, some are looking to reward brands they perceive as showing loyalty to them.

The McDonald’s McRib is going on its farewell tour, giving hungry fans one last chance to get it while they can. The campaign plays on the public desire for nostalgia and leans into the cultural touchstone status of the menu item, with sporadic appearances making it increasingly popular.

With people looking for elevated brick-and-mortar store experiences, many are choosing to shop with brands that inject fun into IRL retail. Westfield is turning its shopping centres into entertainment destinations, attracting shoppers looking for fulfilling and interactive retail experiences.

As costs rise for shoppers across America, many are making compromises, whether that’s by switching brands or avoiding certain items entirely. After diving into this behavior in our Sector Snapshot of Shopping, Canvas8 spoke to nine people to find out what sacrifices they’re making to cut costs.