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South Korea: Why are more stores going staff-free? Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

A shortage of workers is leading some retailers to forgo hiring altogether. The number of unmanned, or staff-less stores in South Korea has grown rapidly in recent years - from ice cream shops to bustling cafes and bars.

We explore how these unmanned stores operate and if they can offer a solution to the country’s demographic problems. Is this the answer for business to keep things running when there aren’t enough people to work?

Producer/presenter: David Cann

(Image: An unmanned bar in Seoul, South Korea)

South Korea: Can immigration grow its workforce? Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

The country is facing a labour shortage following decades of low birth rate and depopulation.

By the year 2032, it’s estimated South Korea will need more than 890,000 additional workers to maintain the country’s long term economic growth goal of 2%.

But with 95% of the country’s population identifying as ethnically Korean, the public opinion on immigration is mixed.

In the second of our three-part series looking at South Korea’s low birth rate and population decline, we ask if the immigration can fill the gap in labour, and what the challenges are.

Produced and presented by David Cann.

(Image: A worker from the Philippines holding a baby in South Korea. Credit: Getty Images)

South Korea: How has it managed to reverse depopulation? Apr 06, 2025

Show notes

South Korea has grappled with an unprecedented decline in birth rate over the past nine years.

However the latest figures show a slight rise in the number of babies born. Although the number remains low, the news is being welcomed with cautious optimism.

The increase follows years of pro-parent policies and heavy investment by the government and businesses.

In the first of our three-part series looking at South Korea’s low birth rate and population decline, we look into the efforts it took to achieve this turnaround, and find out how the number got so low in the first place.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presented and produced by David Cann

(Image: A mum and child in South Korea. Credit: Getty Images)

Microsoft at 50 Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

In its 50th anniversary year, we chart Microsoft's history and look at where the tech giant is heading into the future.

It's one of the world's biggest companies - we get exclusive access to the Seattle HQ.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Zoe Kleinman Producers: Imran Rahman-Jones, Georgina Hayes and Rumella Dasgupta

(Picture: A Microsoft sign is seen outside the company headquarters on July 3, 2024 in Redmond, Washington. Credit: Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia: The saviour of boxing? Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Two years ago, boxing was on the ropes.

Fans were fed up, and rival promoters were playing the blame game, as egos, finances and broadcaster commitments got in the way.

Now, it's all changed, largely thanks to investment from Saudi Arabia.

We head to the boxing ring to look at the revival of this global sport – and find out whether the Kingdom's increasing involvement in sport is being universally welcomed.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presented and produced by Matt Lines

(Image: Britain's Tyson Fury (red) and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk (blue) compete during their heavyweight world championship rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on December 22, 2024. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Is the Vatican Jubilee living up to its promise? Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

More than 30 million pilgrims are expected to visit The Vatican city this year, to pass through the Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica, opened especially for 2025.

In the Italian capital Rome, which surrounds The Vatican, officials have been planning for years to accommodate the extra tourists, including major disruption for locals, but three months in business leaders are reporting that figures are down 15% on the previous year.

The city's hotel association says accommodation rates are being lowered in the hope it will encourage more non-Jubilee visitors who may have been put off travelling.

But other businesses are cashing in - we hear from faith based tourist groups around the world who say they are doubling their bookings to Rome.

Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney

(Image: Faithful carry a wooden cross on Via della Conciliazione in Rome during the pilgrimage route to the Holy Door of St. Peter's basilica in the Vatican, as part of the Catholic Jubilee Year, on 22/02/25. Credit: Getty Images)

How Finland became a hotspot for defence tech Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

We’re in Helsinki to find out why this small, cold, Nordic capital is spawning growing numbers of technologies designed to help countries protect and defend themselves against war.

We meet some of the Finnish defence tech and dual-use start ups attracting global interest, hear why these sorts of businesses have become more attractive for European investors, and dig into the challenges facing the sector.

Presented and produced by Maddy Savage

(Image: A Kelluu airship flying over snowy fields. Image credit: Kelluu)

How the Covid pandemic changed us Mar 30, 2025

Show notes

Restrictions and government assistance varied, but for small business owners the challenges were similar.

Five years on, we hear from three entrepreneurs about their experiences - the manager of a tourism company in Tanzania, a bar owner in England, and a former gym owner in the US. What have they learnt? And has it changed the way the operate and make decisions?

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Josh Martin

(Image: A coffee shop owner serves a customer in the US. Credit: Getty Images)

Business Daily meets: Benedetto Vigna Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

The CEO of the Italian luxury car maker tells Business Daily how his background in physics and electronics is helping him lead the company through unprecedented change, as the furious scream of high-powered petrol engines gradually gives way to the whisper of clean but quiet electric motors.

How can Ferrari stay relevant in a rapidly changing world?

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Theo Leggett Producer: Amber Mehmood

(Picture: Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, sitting in the company's Mayfair dealership in London, in front of a car. Credit: BBC)

The future of the Olympics Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

We're in Greece to find out what challenges await the new IOC president Kirsty Coventry - the first woman and first African to hold the most powerful role in sport.

The IOC faces several challenges, including the issue of paying prize money to athletes, finding a host for the 2036 Summer games and climate change.

There are also questions around the future of boxing as an Olympic sport and securing future revenues with NBC's multi-billion dollar deal due to expire after the Brisbane games in 2032 and other sponsorship deals up for renewal.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presented and produced by Alex Capstick

(Image: Kirsty Coventry reacts as she delivers a speech after being elected as the new IOC President on Day Two of the 144th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session on March 20, 2025 in Costa Navarino, Greece. Credit: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

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