Have you ever walked into a supermarket planning to buy just a few items, only to leave with a much bigger receipt than expected? This is not poor self-control. It is the result of carefully designed psychological visual merchandising techniques used by supermarkets to influence your behaviour.

Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s biggest shows, but its success is not just down to monsters, mystery and 80s vibes. The series is also a brilliant example of how product placement can be used as a smart marketing strategy that benefits both brands and Netflix.

When Kim Kardashian announced she was launching a shapewear brand called Skims back in 2019, most people rolled their eyes. “Another celebrity brand?” It felt like a short-term side hustle, the kind of project that sells fast, fades fast, and ends up on clearance within a year.   Six years later, Skims is worth over $4 billion.

Walk down any UK high street and you’ll likely see them, the golden arches, the familiar smell of fries, and a queue of hungry customers....