Renowned for its multi-step skincare routine and its foundation in the ever trendy Korean culture, K-beauty has become a multi-billion dollar industry across the globe. The term covers a wide range of skincare, make-up and cosmetics from South Korea and is lauded for its quality and value. But as demand grows, tens of thousands of companies are claiming to be K-beauty, and not all of them are based in South Korea. This has raised questions about its identity and authenticity. In the midst of its...
Oct 28, 2025•17 min
We look at a growing industry where candidates are spending on career coaching, résumé redesigns, AI tools, and job boards. In a tough job market, with companies cutting staff due to artificial intelligence and rising costs, is this the way to get ahead? We talk to job seekers about whether these tools really help and share what you can do to find work without spending money. Presenter: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet Correction, 27 October 2025: In this episode, which first aired on 22 October...
Oct 27, 2025•18 min
We head to Sweden where a handful of mechanics are taking on one of the world’s richest companies - and the world's richest man Elon Musk. The strike at Tesla’s workshops has now reached its second anniversary. It’s a clash of ideologies, in which each side has much at stake. And after two years there is still no prospect of a resolution. Presenter: Tim Mansel Sound mix: Annie Gardiner (Image: Striking worker Janis on the picket line in Malmo, Sweden.)
Oct 27, 2025•20 min
Bill Ready started his working life in his parents' auto repair shop. Now, his world looks very different as CEO of the social media platform, Pinterest. It's an app where you can search for things like recipes, home decor, and fashion. Pinterest has enjoyed strong growth since the company was launched in 2010. The platform has been valued at more than 22 billion dollars. But when it added controls for younger users the share price tanked. Bill Ready tells Business Daily how the company's tried ...
Oct 23, 2025•17 min
From private equity Mega funds to Hollywood actors and hip hop stars, we look at the appeal of British football. More than a third of clubs in England's professional football leagues are now owned in part or entirely, by US investors. So why do so many Americans seem to want to invest in UK football clubs and what makes the so called ‘beautiful game’ such an attractive investment? Presenter: Will Bain Producer: Matt Lines (Tom Brady, Birmingham City co-owner and film director Matt Alvarez in the...
Oct 22, 2025•19 min
We head to the Eastern European country to find out why it's become so popular with people from the UK and elsewhere in the world, who are going there to study medicine. And we hear how Bulgaria is dealing with its own issues in retaining healthcare workers, as it faces a 'brain drain' to other countries and sectors. Produced and presented by Gill Dummigan (Image: An international student in a tuition session in Plovdiv, Bulgaria)
Oct 19, 2025•18 min
As China’s Communist Party conclave gets underway, we take a look at one of the biggest things affecting the country’s economy; debt. 2024 saw an estimated 25 - 34 million people default on their personal loans while household debt has now reached more than 60% of GDP. With the government using subsidies and handouts to get people spending, can China’s debt problem be solved? Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Matt Lines (Image: Diners in Shanghai, China during Golden Week, 2024. Credit: Getty Image...
Oct 19, 2025•18 min
The president and CEO of Lamborghini doesn’t just sell supercars, he sells a symbol of status, speed, and style. But what does it take to lead one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands? Theo Leggett meets Stephan Winklemann at a Lamborghini showroom in London, UK, to explore his journey from paratrooper to CEO of some of the top automobile companies. We hear how he steers businesses through a worldwide economic recession, a pandemic, and global trade wars. Plus, with the rise of electric vehi...
Oct 16, 2025•17 min
Can your smartphone bring you spiritual fulfilment? We look at the growth of religion-based apps, as the “faith tech” industry sees rapid growth. Much of the tech charges a fee to use it, but not everyone is convinced. Produced and presented by Rob Young (Image: The "Text With Jesus" chatbot app which has thousands of paying subscribers. It lets people ostensibly ask questions of Mary, Joseph, Jesus and nearly all 12 apostles. Credit: Getty Images)
Oct 15, 2025•21 min
Indonesia’s president has now been in power for a year but having won the election on policies to support the lower classes, the economy is struggling. That struggle led to violent protests across the country making global headlines. We speak to businesses, young people and families about the changes they’ve seen in the past year and discuss whether the new government can fulfil their economic pledges. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Hannah Mullane (Image: Students eat food supplied by the Indo...
Oct 14, 2025•17 min
The country has dropped tariffs on a wide range of US products, a major U-turn in the trade war. It comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had reached a “new economic and security relationship” with US President Donald Trump. But with almost 40% of small Canadian businesses warning they might not survive another year under tariffs, and the province of Ontario losing tens of thousands of jobs, what will this shift mean for the economy? We break down why Canada is changing course and what ...
Oct 13, 2025•18 min
Thailand has one of the highest levels of consumer debt in the world as a proportion of its GDP. We hear from people who have borrowed and cannot pay back. They are struggling to get regular work to make payments and cover interest. We also speak to a private money lender - are they helping people or making the problem worse? Producer/presenter: Ed Butler (Photo: Jie Ae Nattarin, a money lender in Thailand wearing her trademark headband)
Oct 12, 2025•17 min
The South African grew up under the racist apartheid system as one of 14 children. He looked set for a life in farming, until a chance event took him down a different path – ultimately becoming CEO of the multinational banking group, Investec. If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, you can email us at businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Elisabeth Mahy Additional production: Amber Mehmood, Luke Jarmyn, Bisi Adebayo (Image: Fani Titi. Credit: Investec)...
Oct 09, 2025•17 min
We head to Switzerland, a small but very successful country with a population of just 9 million. And now coping with some of US President Donald Trump’s highest tariffs. In August the original threat of 31% tariffs was raised to 39%. Two months on, efforts to negotiate with Washington have proved fruitless and the Swiss economy, regularly ranked as the most competitive in the world, is starting to slow down. Produced and presented by Imogen Foulkes (Swiss watch brands, including Zenith and Hublo...
Oct 08, 2025•18 min
Passengers are suffering more disruption as technology at airports, airlines and air traffic control is failing. But why is aviation software becoming more prone to failure and vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and what is the solution to preventing delays? Presented and produced by Russell Padmore (Image: Passengers wait at Heathrow Airport in London, as European airports experienced disruption due to a cyberattack on the check-in and boarding system in September 2025. Credit: Getty Images)...
Oct 07, 2025•17 min
For the first time in nearly seven years, federal operations have been drastically curtailed as the US government shuts down. As it enters a second week, we look in detail at how the collapse in funding for government services is affecting America at large - from the Federal worker fearing for his job, to the wider concerns of slowing growth and rising inflation. What does this say about the state of the world’s largest economy? Produced and presented by Ed Butler (Image: "Closed" signage in fro...
Oct 07, 2025•19 min
We look at how the European country is trying to lure talent back home. It is specifically targeting people from science, technology, engineering and innovation sectors, using tax breaks and a campaign to remind people about the benefits of returning. A number of countries are bringing in similar initiatives, so is it forward thinking? Or will it create a two-tier system? Produced and presented by Daniel Rosney (Picture: Two women relax in a waterfront cafe during the day in the Mediterranean po...
Oct 06, 2025•17 min
Women and girls in Afghanistan have been excluded from much of the working world, as well as from the chance to get an education. Many are finding ways to bring in an income for their families, but a 48-hour internet shutdown threatened this recently. We hear the experiences of shopkeepers, tech workers and charity bosses in the country. If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Producer/presenter: Hannah Bewley (Photo: Afghan women in burkas ...
Oct 05, 2025•17 min
Thailand’s Pichaya Soontornyanakij, widely known as Chef Pam, was this year named the best female chef in the world by a panel of more than 1,000 gastronomists assembled by 50 Best, a food and drink sector brand. She’s the first Asian woman to win that award. Gideon Long meets her at her Michelin-starred restaurant in Bangkok, in a building which has deep personal meaning for her and which she and her family have lovingly restored. She takes him on a tour of the gastronomic delights of Bangkok’s...
Oct 02, 2025•20 min
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order stopping subsidies for renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. He has called attempts to boost green energy in the US the "Green New Scam". We head to Middletown, Ohio, where a hydrogen-powered furnace for the steel mill, which was subsidised under the Biden administration, has been cancelled under President Trump. Supporters of the new furnace say it would have made a much cleaner plant in the town and created many ...
Oct 01, 2025•17 min
What happens when a controlling partner takes over your income and spending? More countries are now recognising the harm that economic or financial abuse can cause, but it's still a but it’s still a huge problem - particularly for women. Could financial institutions be doing more to help? Produced and presented by Felicity Hannah (Image: A woman lying back in a chair with her head in her hands. Credit: Getty Images)
Sep 30, 2025•18 min
The country has one of the fastest growing aging populations in the region - we hear how businesses and politicians are adapting to the situation. We visit a cafe exclusively employing women aged over 50, and hear about the sectors trying to change attitudes to maintain productivity. Produced and presented by Jane Chambers (Image: Senior hvac technician checking air conditioning unit pressure with manometer in Chile. Credit: Getty Images)
Sep 29, 2025•17 min
The French government has launched a campaign against what it calls “the last discrimination”: ageism. It’s one that a lot of people in the country consider to be justified, and which makes it about three times more difficult to get a job interview. But it’s costly. If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, please email us at businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by John Laurenson (Picture: Job-seeker, Geraldine Coquand.)
Sep 28, 2025•19 min
Thirty years ago, India made its first mobile call. Back then, Rahul Vatts was just starting out at India’s telecom giant, Airtel. Now the company’s Chief Regulatory Officer, he’s witnessed the country transform into one of the world’s largest digital markets. We hear about his career journey and learn how new technology is being rolled out in rural parts of India. If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk Presented and produced by Devina Gupt...
Sep 25, 2025•19 min
Is the dream of home ownership slipping out of reach for many Americans? Prices are climbing, supply can’t keep up with demand, and high interest rates are keeping sellers on the side-lines. Tariffs and rising construction costs are squeezing builders too, piling more pressure on families and the economy. We hear from first-time buyers, builders and real estate agents all trying to navigate the changing market. Produced and presented by Monica Miller (Image: A family look at a new home in the US...
Sep 24, 2025•18 min
Once a niche product for runners, footwear that makes you feel like you’re not wearing any is now crossing into the mainstream. We’ll hear from fans chasing everyday health benefits as well as from brands in the UK, India and US. And we’ll ask whether the barefoot movement is here to stay… Produced and presented by Helen Ledwick (Image: Barefoot shoes on display at a 'try on' event in Birmingham, UK)
Sep 23, 2025•17 min
In the early 2000s, the country had one of the biggest real estate booms seen anywhere in the world - at its peak accounting for 30% of GDP. But in 2020 that quickly started to unravel. Now, the largest Chinese companies are being taken to court and dismantled, and property bought by ordinary citizens who invested in real estate has plummeted in value. What went wrong, and how does the crisis affect the rest of the world? You can get in touch with the programme by emailing us at businessdaily@bb...
Sep 21, 2025•17 min
Many skilled professionals working within creative fields are unhappy about how AI is impacting their industry. They want to protect their work and the creative process from artificial intelligence because of fears over things like job protection, devaluation of skills, and a loss of control over their work. Some small and medium-sized companies in other industries also say they plan to never use AI technology. We discuss why that is, and ask whether those businesses that don’t embrace the techn...
Sep 18, 2025•17 min
In December 2023, a video was posted on X that generated a lot of attention. Gaining more than five million views in 24 hours, it showed a team of AI-generated TV anchors flawlessly delivering the day’s top headlines. We investigate how the media industry is embracing artificial intelligence; from the outlets using the technology to re-voice presenters, to the start-ups that use it to script entire news reports. We also look at the editorial issues facing journalists, ask about the public appeti...
Sep 17, 2025•18 min
When US president Donald Trump visited the Middle East earlier this year, he announced a number of deals between the US and countries in the region. One major deal was for a partnership to build a massive data centre in Abu Dhabi that is expected to be the largest artificial intelligence (AI) campus outside the US. We ask whether the Gulf can become a major AI power - and at what geopolitical cost? Produced and presented by Sameer Hashmi (Image: US president Donald Trump and UAE president Sheikh...
Sep 16, 2025•17 min
