Episodes

  • Retail’s big change, no loose change required

    Retail’s big change, no loose change required
    Apr 29 2021
    The retail landscape is changing, with us having relied more on deliveries and click and collect during the COVID crisis. Susannah Street from Hargreaves Lansdown tells Phil Dobbie how Sainsbury’s, who reported their annual earnings yesterday, has seen a big increase in online sales for Argos, as more people click and collect goods during their weekly shop. So, will we look to a similar online-instore hybrid approach to our shopping even when COIVD has gone? Mustafa Khanwala, CEO of MIshipay, explains how their scan and go product allows users more control of their shopping experience, and why he believes it is an important component of bringing people back to the High Street (and away from Amazon).

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    33 mins
  • EU Votes on Brexit Shambles

    EU Votes on Brexit Shambles
    Apr 28 2021
    The European Commission voted yesterday on the trade agreement that has been in operation since the start of January. Their President Ursula von der Leyen warned, in the European parliament yesterday, that they were prepared to use unilateral actions to ensure that the rules are adhered to, confirming that the UK-EU relationship is going to be a rocky one for some time to come. On today’s podcast Phil Dobbie talks to economist Vicky Pryce about the impact of the UK’s withdrawal so far, the problems we face and how we can got about fixing the issues.

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    35 mins
  • A very cloudy summer for tourism

    A very cloudy summer for tourism
    Apr 27 2021

    The Independent’s Travel Editor Simon Calder joins phil Dobbie on today’s podcast to talk about the state of the travel industry in what is likely to be a very disappointing summer all round. Even though Ursula Von der Leyen has said the EU will open up to tourists who have had double vaccinations, it’ll take a while for a lot of the UK to meet that criteria, and there’s also the risk that travellers will face quarantine when they return to home. So, will airlines survive in the meantime? Most will, either by good management or, in the case of Alitalia, lots of propping up by the government.

    Also today, briefly, Tesla’s earnings from yesterday, muddied by Elon Musk’s Bitcoin fixation. And a look at the morning’s papers, which are almost all fixated with Boris’ pile ‘em high comments.


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    34 mins
  • The magic 700

    The magic 700
    Apr 26 2021

    Shares advisor Rodney Hobson is on It’s the Business today to discuss where the markets will go now? The FTSE100 lost one percent last week, which may not be a lot in the scheme of things, but it is hovering around the psychological 7000 barrier for the first time since the pandemic. Could it break through and rise higher on the back of all hopes of a summer of big spending, or could it hld back on fears of a delayed recovery as the rest of the world struggles with vaccine deployment and rising infection numbers? Rodney also suggests if inflation was to come back to bite, all the more reason to invest in shares sooner rather than later.


    Also today, the Oscar winner for best picture, the inconsequence of a UK-Australia trade deal and expect to hear a lot more about Paula Vennells today.


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    32 mins
  • Will anything come out of Biden’s Climate Fest?

    Will anything come out of Biden’s Climate Fest?
    Apr 22 2021
    Politicians the world over have been scurrying around for climate pledges in preparation for today’s Climate Summit, called by President Biden. Today Phil Dobbie talks to environment journalist Lucy Siegle about what, if anything, will be achieved. Can climate change be stalled by political pledges that may, or may not be adhered to? What was really been achieved by the Paris Climate Accord, and is there much to be gained from the US trying, now, to take the lead on the environment? More significantly, are consumers prepared to accept the sacrifices that are needed if we are to save the planet? Lots of big questions crammed in to a half hour show!

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    41 mins
  • Hello Housing Bubble, Goodbye Super League

    Hello Housing Bubble, Goodbye Super League
    Apr 21 2021

    This week Rishi Sunak launched support for banks to offers 95% mortgages. Why? House prices are out or near record highs, so is this a sector that needs government intervention. What’s worse, won’t it simply inflate prices even higher. Property commentator says Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are playing fast and loose with the property market.


    Could they be encouraging people into low interest loans, with the prospect of rate rises a year or two down the track. Numbers from the ONS this morning show inflation remains low in the UK, but its rising, and producer prices are becoming a real concern. If those costs get passed on we could see consumer prices rising to the point where central banks have to move faster on interest rates.


    The plans for a new Super League fell apart overnight. Football can stay as it was. But should it? Phil Dobbie asks sports broadcaster Jonny Gould what was wrong with the plans for a Super League. Couldn’t it bring new money into the game?


    All that, and the rest of the business news, in a bumper edition. You’re welcome!


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    39 mins
  • US v UK – who has the right idea on recovery (and football)?

    US v UK – who has the right idea on recovery (and football)?
    Apr 20 2021

    Three stories on today’s podcast. First, the latest employment data from the ONS, just out this morning. Phil Dobbie dissects it hot off the press.


    Secondly, all the newspapers are filled with shock and awe over the Super League plans for six English football clubs, with the Prime Minister promising to do something about it. We ask, what’s it got to do with them, and is there a simple answer to this problem. If it is a problem.


    Finally, Phil asks Kallum Pickering, Senior Economist at Berenberg Bank, whether the uK or the US has taken the best approach to guiding the economy through the pandemic. The UK furloughed workers, at the risk that some of the preserved jobs might no longer exist, post-pandemic. The US let their unemployment rate shot up, paying higher benefits in the interim. Now all except the very rich are receiving their second stimulus payment to spend as they wish. Which approach makes the most sense. Listen and then you decide.


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    28 mins
  • Side hustles, Bitcoin tumbles and Brexit stumbles

    Side hustles, Bitcoin tumbles and Brexit stumbles
    Apr 19 2021

    Bitcoin lost 15% yesterday. We know it’ll bounce back, but for how long. Maybe its worth considering what American billionaire Ray Dalio predicted last month, that Bitcoin would eventually be outlawed. We look at reasons why he might be right.


    Also today, trade figures last week showed that the UK’s exports to the EU were still 20 percent down at the end of February. At an inquiry by the UK Trade and Business Commission last week Julian Jessop said the impact hadn’t been as bad as many had feared. Really? How bad were we expecting it to be?


    And personal finance expert Jasmine Birtles, from MoneyMagpie.com, gives ideas for side hustles, from getting money from research companies to playing gambling companies at their own game. A fun start to the week with Jasmine!


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    37 mins