What Britain Buys

What Britain Buys is an eye-opening and intriguing look at how we shop, which products we buy, and what our £6.7 billion a week shopping habit says about Britain today. This time, Mary Portas discovers how in 2016 it's not just what we buy, but how we buy, that is changing -with the switch to contactless spending, with cards, phones and even watches. Mary looks at the trend of putting snail slime on the face, and face masks for the bottom; at the millions of mums - and dads - doing the school run in leggings; what car pool karaoke means for the dash cam; how smart toys are affecting the way our kids play; and how virtual reality is on the verge of changing the way we all see the world.

Mary Portas examines why British shoppers are spending more on pets than ever - a massive ú4.6 billion a year. Why is Victoria Beckham making the news wearing flat shoes, not heels? What products of the 1970s are making a comeback? And there's a look at the rise of 'she sheds' as a rival to the 'man cave'.

Mary Portas looks at the impact that Brazil is having on our bottoms. With M&S predicting that the shape of the humble knicker is changing, what might this mean for jeans? As a country, the UK is moving away from disposable fashion and spending more on experiences, from cycling to festivals or weddings. Britain is a world leader of the outdoor music event, with festivals having a direct impact on high street trends. Mary also meets some mamils, who form a big part of the booming cycle industry. There's also a look at the impact that social media is having on weddings, from cakes to dresses and flowers. And, lastly, should you digitally detox and swap your smartphone for a new 'dumb' phone?