Business Daily

In this special episode, Ed Butler brings you a podcast from our friends at Good Bad Billionaire. In the series, presenters Simon Jack and Zing Tseng find out how the richest people on the planet made their billions, and then they judge them. Are they good, bad, or just another billionaire? This episode focuses on Warren Buffett - how did he became the richest investor in history?Listen to every episode of Good Bad Billionaire wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

The world's major consulting firms make an estimated trillion dollars a year, directing governments and businesses on how best to govern.But the economist Mariana Mazzucato argues that outsourcing the brain power of governments to private firms is a dangerous trend. Ed Butler asks her why she thinks it isn't money well spent.(Picture: Mariana Mazzucato. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Ed Butler

The idea of settling for ‘good enough’ and being mediocre at work is not new… but the case for prioritising other things apart from work has grown rapidly since the pandemic – and hashtags like #lazygirljob have been getting millions of views on TikTok. We find out what mediocrity means for staff and employers, and speak to workers who are embracing this new attitude.We hear from Jaime Ducharme, Time Magazine journalist who wrote an article about mediocrity in the workplace, Gabrielle Judge who started #lazygirljob on TikTok, and Dr Thomas Curran from the London School of Economics.Produced and presented by Clare Williamson(Image: A woman looking bored at work. Credit: Getty Images)

Work from home, or go into the office? For many businesses and workers it's an ongoing conversation at the moment.But could there be a third way - working 'near' home?New co-working spaces are providing a place for people to do their job close to where they live, but not at home which can be unsuitable and isolating.We also look at the WeWork model - the billion-dollar business filed for bankruptcy protection in the US last year - does that mean the concept isn't viable long term? Produced and presented by Dougal Shaw.(Image: A Patch co-working space in southern England. Credit: Benoit Grogan-Avignon)

We look at the implications as the Latin American country gradually reduces from 45 hours.In April 2023 politicians approved a law in congress saying that businesses need to move towards cutting their hours to help get a better work life balance for employees.This reduction is happening gradually, and the working week is getting shorter by at least one hour per year, over a maximum of five years. We speak to workers and businesses in Chile about the impact - good and bad - that this is having.Presenter: Jane Chambers Technical production: Matthew Dempsey(Image: A group of workers on lunchbreak in Santiago. Credit: Getty Images)

It's been 50 years since Sweden introduced state-funded parental leave, designed for couples to share. We hear how the pioneering policy has impacted families and businesses - and ask whether Sweden really deserves its reputation for gender equality.And we meet one of the first dads to take paid parental leave, back in the 1970s. Produced and presented by Maddy Savage(Image: A man holding a small child. Credit: Getty Images)

Today, the richest 10 per cent of the world’s population own more than three quarters of its wealth, while the bottom half have 2%.To halt the growing wealth gap, one economic philosopher, Ingrid Robeyns, has come up with a striking proposal - to impose legally enforced limits on people’s personal wealth. No one individual, Professor Robeyns suggests, should be allowed to have more than 10 million dollars.It's a provocative idea. And would it work in practice?(Picture: Ingrid Robeyns. Credit: Keke Keukelaar/United Agents)Presented and produced by Ed Butler

The Russian invasion sparked the worst recession in the country’s recent history. Yet 2023 saw growth which is projected to continue. So how are businesses actually faring? The economy is heavily reliant on foreign aid and there is uncertainty whether that will continue, notably from the US.We hear from businesses and workers who give us a mixed picture of Ukraine's economic health: Chef Zhenya Mykhailenko the CEO of FVSM which runs a group of Ramen restaurants in Kyiv and a military kitchen in the Zaporizhiya region; Kees Huizinga who farms in Uman, South of Kyiv and Erica, a secondary school teacher in the war torn southern city of Kherson. Plus economic analysis from Andrew Walker.Produced and presented by Clare Williamson(Image: Chef Zhenya. Credit: FVSM)

The Olympics in Tokyo, some jaw dropping films, and a hardwired desire to be in the great outdoors. These are just some of the reasons credited with boosting the popularity of climbing. Hundreds of indoor bouldering gyms have cropped up in the US since the 1990s, and the sport is spreading across the world. Although still concentrated in North America and Europe, more and more countries are joining the International Federation of Sport Climbing, and the millions of people taking part are attracting the attention of brands and financial backers. We hear from climbing business experts and the UK’s most successful competitive climber, Shauna Coxsey, to find out more. (Picture: Shauna Coxey. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Hannah Bewley

The Philippines is experiencing an artificial coin shortage.It’s artificial because there are plenty of coins - it’s just that people are using them less so they fall out of circulation and end up collecting in jars at home. Hannah Mullane investigates why this is happening and what impact it’s having on consumer behaviour. And reporter Camille Elemia speaks to businesses and shoppers in Quezon city to find out how Filipino’s are changing the way they spend. (Picture: A jeepney driver, counting some notes)Presented and produced by Hannah Mullane Additional reporting: Camille Elemia

Three months ago, Houthi fighters from Yemen hijacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea and took the crew captive. It was the group’s first attack on commercial shipping in response to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. Around 30 similar assaults have followed and the US and UK have retaliated with air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.The Houthi attacks have wreaked havoc with shipping in the Red Sea, forcing hundreds of ships to re-route and make the much longer journey around the bottom of Africa. Supply chains have been interrupted and insurance costs have risen for vessels still passing through the area.With no end to the tension in the region in sight, some companies are readjusting their timelines and accepting that the current situation might become the “new normal”. We ask whether the Houthi attacks have changed the way we move goods around the world for ever.(Picture: Ships crossing the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Presented and produced by Gideon Long

Tony Fernandes has worked in the music industry, owned a formula one team and co-owned a professional London football club, but these days he’s concentrating on his core business as the CEO of the parent company of AirAsia, a Malaysia-based budget airline he co-founded that has transformed travel in South East Asia.We speak to him about his varied career, the airline industry’s recovery from the Covid pandemic, and the recent safety issues at Boeing.(Picture: Tony Fernandes. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Presented and produced by Gideon Long

Only four sportspeople have turned success on the field to success in business, making it to the 10 figure club.Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Magic Johnson, the last to join in October 2023, according to the wealth-tracking business magazine, Forbes.Matt Lines finds out the secrets behind the fortunes of these four athletes and who could be joining the list in future.(Picture: L-R: Tiger Woods. Credit: Reinhold Matay/USA Today Sports. Magic Johnson. Credit: Allison Dinner/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock. Lebron James. Credit: Dale Zanine/USA Today Sports. Michael Jordan. Credit: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images)Presenter/producer: Matt Lines

Scaring people has become big business. There’s even a catch-all term for the trend: dark tourism, where thrill seekers visit the scenes or replicate the experiences of horrendous moments in history. Elizabeth Hotson goes to investigate.(Picture: Someone wearing a skeleton mask, pointing at the camera. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Elizabeth Hotson

We hear from former moderator Daniel Motaung, who has taken Meta and their outsourcing partner, Sama, to an employment tribunal in Nairobi.US lawyer Cori Crider, from tech justice NGO Foxglove - which supports Daniel and others who have taken legal action - believes that content moderation is one of the most important tech jobs, particularly when there is a conflict in the region. The recent war in Ethiopia and some of the posts made on Facebook were the catalyst for another lawsuit challenging Facebook’s algorithms.And social researcher and activist Leah Kimathi believes that there is not enough investment in moderating in various African languages. She also campaigns for the Big Tech and African governments to end, what she calls, the “Wild West” approach and get together to create specific legislation governing how social media companies operate on the continent. Produced and presented by Ivana Davidovic(Image: Daniel Motaung. Credit: Foxglove)

The secretary general of the world’s biggest humanitarian network – the International Federation of the Red Cross - rose from humble beginnings in Nepal. We hear how Jagan Chapagain became involved in humanitarian work, and how he deals with all of the current global crises, whilst remaining politically neutral. (Picture: Jagan Chapagain. Credit: Getty Images)Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Olie D'Albertanson

From tackling the long commute to sleeping on the job - we head to Lagos, New York, Tokyo, Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) and Dublin to look at the diverse ways businesses are attempting to boost productivity and therefore also boost profits. We hear from businesses installing sleep pods in the office and others using technology to boost production on their farms and in their factories but are these techniques really working? Producer: Hannah Mullane Presenter: Leanne Byrne(Image: Buildings working on a roof space. Credit: Getty Images)

It's an exclusive business club with over 8,000 companies, which put environmental and social values at the heart of their work. But the B Corp badge has come under some criticism for taking on some multinational companies - some smaller businesses say that has diluted its values. We hear from Anjli Raval, who reports on what goes on inside the world's biggest companies for the Financial Times.One of the biggest growth areas for B Corps is expected to be Africa. Tahira Nizari is the co-founder of new B Corp Kazi Yetu, selling traceable products like tea and spices from Tanzania. Max Landry at Peppy - a health tech company - who specialise in underserved areas of healthcare lets us know the hoops to join the B Corp club. Jonathan Trimble, the CEO and founder of creative agency And Rising, which helps new brands with their marketing plans tells us what he wants B Corp to change. Chris Turner, Executive Director at B - Lab UK, tells us how their standards will shift in the next year.Produced and presented by Rick Kelsey(Image credit: Kazi Yetu)

As Malmö receives the keys to this year's event, we look at how Copenhagen in Denmark could be the real economic winners - without having to pay for it. When the Swedish city last hosted the competition in 2013, officials estimated around a third of overnight stays were in the Danish capital. We speak to officials in both cities - just 30km apart and connected by the Øresund Bridge - to examine what fans can expect, and explore how other nations around the world get in on the action when a neighbouring country hosts a global event.Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney

From its emergence in London’s underground scene and pirate radios in the early 2000s, to becoming a major music genre, Grime has come a long way – contributing more than £2bn to the UK economy and creating opportunities to members of some of Britain’s most deprived communities.Dylan Kwabela Mills - professionally known as Dizzee Rascal - is someone who has been at the centre of this genre from its inception, and who many credit for Grime’s exposure to pop culture.Twenty years on, the electronic dance music, with rapid beats that critics described as the “soundtrack to knife crime”, is now critically acclaimed, and many of the pioneers who were teenagers at the time are now multi-millionaire business owners.(Picture: Dylan Kwabela Mills, known as Dizzee Rascal. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Peter Macjob

The continent's fashion industry holds all the cards to becoming one of the world’s fashion leaders. It has the natural resources, the workforce and a growing middle class who want to wear African brands.However, there are challenges including poor infrastructure, lack of investment and limited training opportunities in fashion - highlighted in a recent Unesco report. We hear from designers on the continent and overseas to get their opinion on what’s needed to help the industry grow and learn why Afrobeats is helping to put African fashion on the map.Produced and presented by Megan Lawton.(Image: Atmosphere at the Labrum London show during London Fashion Week February 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

The island of Mauritius is well established as a luxury holiday destination with five star hotels, beautiful beaches and clear blue waters.But in the last couple of years it has also become Africa’s financial hub, attracting billions of dollars of investment by leveraging on decades of political and economic stability, a strategic location on the Indian Oean plus a multiple taxation system that incentivise investors.Critics say it’s a tax haven - an allegation the island is keen to put at bay.Can Mauritius sustain its status as a high income country and attract the skilled labour it seeks to expand the economy?Presenter/producer: Peter MacJob(Port Louis is Mauritius main settlement. Credit: Getty Images)

We’re going behind the scenes at two former nuclear power stations – one that’s recently closed, and another that’s been out of action for 25 years. Both are at Hinkley Point in Somerset, in the south of England.What happens when the generators stop? We look into the unique challenges of cleaning up radioactive sites safely.Produced and presented by Theo Leggett(Image: Steam escapes from Hinkley Point B in 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

In the second part of the series, in the second part of the series, we look at supermarkets and restaurants.Dynamic pricing it could help cut down on food waste, but would it favour people who can choose when they shop? And we ask why restaurant-goers have yet to develop a taste for it.We also find out how artists like Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift have experimented with dynamic pricing to set the prices for their concerts.Finally, we ask if dynamic pricing needs to be regulated more strictly. Is it fair? Does it allow companies to get away with price-gouging? We speak to the head of a consumer rights group who says that more transparency is needed to protect shoppers.Produced and presented by Gideon Long(Image: A food market in the US. Credit: Getty Images)

The retail strategy allows companies to constantly tweak their prices in response to changes in the market.In the first of two programmes, we look at how dynamic pricing works in the airline industry, at ride-hailing companies like Uber and on India’s sprawling rail network.And we speak to a director of e-commerce at US electronics firm Harman International, who tells us how dynamic pricing has enhanced its business, increasing revenue, margins and making the company more efficient.Archive of India: Our trains, electric, used courtesy of Made In Manchester.Presented and produced by: Gideon Long(Image: The Mumbai to Solapur Vande Bharat Express at Pune India. Credit: Getty Images)

The tourism sector could be missing out on billions by not adapting to the disabled market. However, some businesses and individuals are trying to change that. Speaking to people in North America, Greece and Spain who are making a difference, we find out the challenges in accessible tourism and the potential revenue if things change. We also travel to Amsterdam to meet a woman helping businesses become more accessible.Presented and produced by Sean Allsop(Picture: Man using a wheelchair takes a photograph with his camera. Credit: Getty Images)

Not many fashion designers can say they've starred in their own TV series alongside their mother.For this edition of Business Daily, Devina Gupta talks to Indian entrepreneur and social media influencer Masaba Gupta. The daughter of Indian actor Neena Gupta and West Indian cricketer Sir Viv Richards, Masaba discusses how her mixed heritage has inspired the vibrant prints she's become famous for.(Picture: Masaba Gupta)Presenter: Devina Gupta Producer: Lexy O'Connor

We’re in the Paris suburb of Seine -Saint-Denis which will host most of the games this summer. It’s an area with some of the highest levels of poverty in the whole of France, and a bad reputation. In the minds of most French people, the area conjures up images of drugs, crime and riots. Locals say that reputation is unfair – and they’re hoping the investment of the games, and a place on the world stage, goes some way to changing that. But can it?Presented and produced by John Laurenson(Image: Inside the Aquatic Olympic Center (CAO). It will host artistic swimming, diving and water-polo. Credit: Getty Images)

We look at how many employers still base decisions on a person's age, despite the strong pressures in higher income countries to retain and encourage older staff. What are the underlying reasons for this prejudice? And Ed meets a cosmetic doctor at a central London clinic to discuss the increase in demand for anti-ageing procedures, for people who want to look younger at work.Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Amber Mehmood(Picture: A man and a woman sit at a table at work, with a woman standing up talking to them. Credit: Getty Images)

One in two people are ageist, according to the World Health Organization. Ed Butler looks at the scale of the perceived problem, hearing from workers and experts. In the UK and US, for instance, more than a quarter of over-50s report experiences of ageism in the last 12 months. One recent global survey found that it’s the most socially accepted prejudice, more widespread than either racism or sexism. And how much is ageism a factor in this year’s US presidential race?(Picture: Timothy Tan working alongside a colleague at a computer)Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Amber Mehmood

Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to deal with - and they're a nightmare for any town or city that relies on a thriving hospitality industry. In October 2023, French government officials had to act rapidly following news headlines claiming there'd been a rise in infestations in Paris, in the run-up to the 2024 Olympic Games. Infestations can damage reputations, and lead to financial losses due to compensation claims and costly pest control treatments. But scientists are developing solutions to deal with the problem.In this edition of Business Daily, we speak to hotel owners, entrepreneurs, and travellers who’ve been bitten - plus the companies creating technology to help hospitality bosses tackle the problem.(Picture: A hand in a blue glove, holding a magnifying glass over some bed bugs. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Dougal Shaw

Once a much desired badge of authority and quality, on some social media platforms the blue tick (or check) is now available to anyone who chooses to buy one. But has this been a popular move? And has the monetising of verification meant that the blue tick has lost its credibility? We hear from industry experts who can shed some light on verification, which has dramatically changed since Elon Musk bought Twitter, now X, in October 2022. Presenter: David Harper Producer: Victoria Hastings(Image: Two workers look at a phone. Credit: Getty Images)

We look at how the country can grow its economy in 2024.In November 2023, Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez won a second term as Spain's prime minister, and said his focus would be reducing public debt and helping key sectors such as tourism and the automotive industry.Plus the government wants to become a leader in renewables.Presenter: Ashish Sharma(Image: Woman takes a selfie in Madrid. Credit: Getty Images)

The running shoe industry is worth around 50 billion dollars across the world, with more and more of us taking part in the sport. With more popularity comes more competition, so what are brands doing to keep consumers interested? We ask the chief marketing officer at Swiss sportswear company, ON, and find out how it helps sales when a top athlete wears their shoes. And as the debate around 'super shoes' rumbles on, are they really worth the expensive price tag? US marathon winner Kellyn Taylor tells us about the pros and cons of carbon plated shoes - which played a big role in marathon records being smashed in 2023.(Picture: A group of runners racing through a park. Credit: Getty Images)Presented and produced by Izzy Greenfield

It's widely recognised that we are bombarded with fast-paced imagery in the modern world, whether it's social media videos, or digital billboards in city spaces.But there has been a similar explosion in sound, says advertising entrepreneur Michele Arnese. He thinks brands can only compete with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).Dougal Shaw speaks to the Italian tech entrepreneur who trained as a classical musician, but founded an advertising company that helps companies stand out with distinctive sounds.(Picture: Michele Arnese of Amp looking at AI-generated music with a colleague.)Presented and produced by Dougal Shaw

Semiconductors hit the news during the Covid-19 pandemic, as issues with supply chains led to shortages of cars and soaring prices. Since then, geopolitical tensions have impacted the industry. 90% of the world's most advanced chips are made by TSMC in Taiwan. Now, countries all over the world are investing billions of dollars into the industry, so that manufacturing of these chips can happen in more places and alleviate some of the problems supply chains have faced in the last few years. In today’s episode, we visit a new semiconductor fabrication plant in the UK - the first to develop a low-cost, flexible semiconductor, as companies, and nations, race to diversity the industry. (Picture: Two workers in PPE inside the Pragmatic semiconductor plant in Durham, England. Credit: Pragmatic)Produced and presented by Hannah Mullane

The Caribbean island imports around 90% of its food and by law only US ships can be used to transport it – which pushes up the price. We speak to islanders who think that needs to change, and are pushing for Puerto Rico to become more self sufficient. Weather events like Hurricane Maria, which left many without power and water for months, have brought the issue to the forefront once again.We meet a new generation who are leading the way, using new technology to try and make it easier, and cheaper, for people to buy local and rely less on imports. Produced and presented by Jane Chambers(Image: Puerto Rican farmer Fernando Maldonado. Credit: Jane Chambers)

Almost 60% of the world’s population live in cities. And this trend is expected to continue - by 2050 nearly 7 of 10 people will live in urban environments. Although more than 80% of global GDP is generated in cities, there are challenges: increasing carbon emissions and environmental pollution, traffic congestion and urban vulnerability, exposed by natural disasters such as floods and storms.The creation of a digital twin - a digital representation of a real city, infrastructure or even a whole country - could help decision-makers simulate real situations, allowing them to make better decisions. Situations like floods and other extreme weather events. We look into the technology and find out what the benefits and limitations are...And the former foreign minister of Tuvalu, Simon Kofe, explains how climate change has forced his country to consider preserving their whole statehood and culture in the metaverse.Produced and presented by Ivana Davidovic(Image: A digital representation of Singapore. Credit: Singapore Land Authority)

Twice in 2023, the American government faced the prospect of having to shut down because politicians in congress couldn’t agree on a budget to fund it. Each time, a shutdown was narrowly averted – by last minute, short-term deals.Now, a third deadline is looming in mid-January. It leaves politicians – with fierce disagreements over what services the government should pay for, and how – little time to reach an agreement.We look at the impact of this uncertainty on businesses, and ask, in an election year, what can be done to bring the chaos to an end?Presented and produced by Rob Young(Image: An employee walks past a sign at the entrance of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History during a 35-day partial government shutdown in Washington, DC, January 28, 2019. Credit: Getty Images)

For 70 years, Pearl & Dean has been at the forefront of cinema advertising in the UK. Its CEO, Kathryn Jacob has been leading the company for 18 of them.But it's been a rocky few years for the movie industry, as it battles the economic effects of the Covid pandemic. In this edition of Business Daily meets, Kathryn discusses how cinemas are recovering, and how the advertising industry is slowly embracing diversity.(Picture: Kathryn Jacob)Presented and produced by Dougal Shaw

How easy is it to open a bank account in your country? Around the world, 1.4 billion people can’t get a bank account, and two-thirds of them are in low and middle income countries. People from migrant communities also struggle to access formal banking services. We hear from 19 year-old Josue Calderon. Originally from El Salvador, he arrived in the United States when he was 16. He tells Sam Fenwick about the challenges of only being able to use cash when he first arrived in the US. Sam also speaks to BBC World Service listeners about their experiences of opening a bank account. (Picture: The hand of a woman about to take money out of her purse. Credit: Getty Images)Produced and presented by Sam Fenwick Additional production by Barbara George

The use of these endlessly flexible 3D images is increasing rapidly. Not just in entertainment, but in medicine, education, design, defence and more.Holograms trick the brain into seeing something in 3D when it’s really just a projection, allowing us to feel immersed in something – whether it’s an atom, or a cityscape. We talk to companies developing this fast advancing technology and ask – will we be living in a holographic future?Produced and presented by Matthew Kenyon(Image: A citizen watches a hologram of the artwork 'A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains' during a digital art exhibition at an art museum on March 11, 2023 in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province of China. Credit: Getty Images)

Alastair Leithead and his wife Ana moved to Portugal during the Covid pandemic. They live off-grid, meaning they have no access to mains electricity or water supplies. They also have to manage their own waste water and sewage.Now the former BBC correspondent is embarking on an ambitious project to build and run a hotel, meaning their solar powered utilities will not only have to work for them, but also paying guests. Produced and presented by Alastair Leithead.(Image: Alastair and Ana at their property. Credit: Alastair Leithead)

In the first of a two part series, we're in the Alentejo region where people are buying land and empty properties in an area without power or water supply.Former BBC correspondent Alastair Leithead is one of them - he has moved there with his wife, and is trying to build and run a hotel. He travels around the region and speaks to his neighbours about their experiences.Plus - what do local people think of this influx of foreigners coming to live off-grid? Presented and produced by Alastair Leithead.(Image: The sun setting over solar panels in Portugal. Alastair Leithead)

Pakistan's first female architect came out of retirement to help rebuild her country after the 2005 earthquake.Now she's helping communities devastated by the 2022 floods.Dr Lari talks about her experience starting out in a male-dominated field, the changing focus of her career, and her mission to build a million flood-resilient homes in Pakistan by 2024.Produced and presented by Emb Hashmi.(Image: Dr Yasmeen Lari. Credit: Getty Images)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heard Turkish voters back in May when they said they wanted change in the economy. So, he appointed a new finance minister and central bank governor to lead the charge. Despite the president’s strong opposition to using higher interest rates to cool rising prices, he’s allowed rates to rise in each of the last six months. While that’s helped bring about an economic turnaround, it’s put added pressure on households who have for years been reliant on low borrowing costs. Will the president’s patience with economic orthodoxy last, or are these early policy changes a sign of long-lasting change?Presenter Victoria Craig Produced by Victoria Craig and Ceren Iskit(Image: Eren and Ümit Karaduman and their children. Credit: Victoria Craig)

Despite the name, Bolivia is actually the world's biggest exporter of Brazil nuts.We travel to the hot and humid north of the country to look at the production process which can be extremely dangerous.Plus we hear how the business of Brazil nuts is helping stop deforestation in the Amazon.Presenter: Jane Chambers Producers: Jane Chambers and Helen Thomas(Image: A worker unloading Brazil nuts from the Pando region at a nut processing plant in Riberalta, Bolivia. Credit: Bob Howard)

When private companies around the world want to raise cash, they can do so by starting a process to list on a stock exchange. This is known as an IPO, or initial public offering. Analysts watch such public listings to gauge the health of an economy. In 2021, IPOs were booming, but in 2023 there's been a big drop in activity - with a record low number of companies choosing to offer their shares publicly on stock exchanges in the US, UK and Europe. What's going on, and why does it matter when IPOs don't do well?(Picture: The hand of a man holding a phone, monitoring trading data on his phone, tablet, and computer. Credit: Getty Images)Produced and presented by Frey Lindsay

Shoplifting has long been a concern for small and large retailers worldwide, but many believe the issue has recently increased - including incidents of retail violence. Sam Gruet speaks to some of these retailers in New Zealand, India, Pakistan and the UK, to explore the possible reasons behind the rise in retail crime and what measures they’re introducing to respond to the escalating issue. These include covert security, body cameras and stab-proof vests. He also asks if advances in technology can act as a powerful deterrent to potential shoplifters, and if it could be the solution to minimise retail loss.(Picture: Security camera. Credit: Getty Images)Presenter: Sam Gruet Producer: Amber Mehmood

Niccolo Ricci is the CEO of Stefano Ricci, a luxury clothing brand whose suits are worn by the rich and powerful. The firm was established more than 50 years ago by his parents, and now, Niccolo, and his brother Filippo, run the family business; supplying high-end luxury attire to clients all around the world. It's a brand that counts heads of state and business magnates among its patrons.In an era of casual fashion, this is a rarefied world where discretion is the name of the game. Presenter: Leanna Byrne(Photo: Niccolo Ricci. Credit: Getty Images)