After slumping during the recession, sales of organic food, fashion and beauty are on the up again, tapping into a consumer desire for authenticity and transparency. But what does the term ‘organic’ actually mean to consumers? And where do the opportunities lie for businesses?

Eating patterns have changed – instead of preparing three meals a day, many people now snack on convenience food. As a result, there’s a growing demand for packaging that’s smart, eco-friendly and easy-to-use. How can brands use innovative design to meet the needs of these conscious consumers?

Eating locally sourced produce is a luxury people are increasingly willing to spend on. Capitalising on this, Tesco has introduced a number of own brands that sound like British farms, but don’t refer to actual locations, and the move has upset farmers who think the branding may be misleading.

As ethical terms like 'organic' and 'Fairtrade' increasingly make their way into cosmetics and make-up, how many ethical labels is too many? With European consumers already confused by such labels, slapping more of them on tubes and bottles is creating greater uncertainty.