How Christmas spending is changing

We're in Santa’s grotto – sort of - a Chinese city that some call the Christmas capital of the world. With 75,000 traders, across 50,000 stores, Yiwu offers the world’s largest wholesale market across a labyrinth of arcades. But at a time of growing trade tensions with the US, who’s actually buying the tinsel this year? If you'd like to send us an email, our address is [email protected]: Ed Butler Producer: David Cann Additional production: Victoriya Holland(Picture: Crowds of people walking through Yiwu wholesale market. Credit: BBC/Wang Xiqing)

We look at what makes a great Christmas marketing campaign. From a budget-friendly advert based around coffee cups, to multi-million dollar epic commercials featuring Hollywood A-list celebrities.We unwrap the secrets behind the world's most iconic festive advertising.If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is [email protected] and produced by Elizabeth Hotson(Picture: A woman and a man wearing Santa hats, sitting in front of a TV with Christmas tree, candles and food. Credit: Getty Images)

Festive spending habits are changing, with many, especially younger shoppers, predicted to cut back.We look at what’s driving the shift, the impact on retail, and how artificial intelligence is starting to shape the way shoppers choose gifts and search for lower prices.Plus - we hear from members of the World Service audience on what their holiday spending priorities are. You can get in touch with the programme - our email address is [email protected]: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet(Picture: Nelmar Cornes, a stationary enthusiast and the owner of the Toronto Pen Shoppe in Toronto, Canada.)

As millions of households around the world put up their Christmas trees, we hear from the founder and CEO of US-based company Balsam Hill - one of the world’s biggest artificial Christmas tree retailers. Mac Harman tells us about his journey as an entrepreneur, how he's addressing sustainability concerns, and how the company's managing the pressures of tariffs.If you'd like to contact the programme, our email address is [email protected]: Ed Butler Producer: David CannCorrection, 22 December 2025: This episode, which first aired on 19 December, has been amended to include more detail and to clarify the sourcing of the materials used in the manufacture of Balsam Hill's trees. (Picture: Mac Harman. Credit: Balsam Hill)

You might be familiar with the term "ghosting" when it comes to dating. One minute you’re talking to someone, the next they disappear.The same thing is now happening in the job market, with employers not responding to candidates or posting roles that never existed.It’s a problem thought to affect millions.In this programme, we hear why "ghost jobs" have become so common, look at the new rules meant to curb the practice, and hear directly from job seekers about how it makes them feel.You can email us - our address is [email protected]: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet(Picture: Woman applying for a job online. Credit: Getty Images)

We return to Peru’s mega port - the Chancay Port. This $3.5bn project is a joint venture between China’s state-owned shipping company Cosco Shipping and Peruvian mining company Volcan. It’s already starting to have an impact on local businesses. We find out what’s giving it the edge, how local fruit producers are particularly benefiting, and what obstacles still need to be overcome, both politically and logistically. If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is [email protected] and produced by Jane Chambers(Picture: Fruit producer, Percy Perez, in Peru.)

It’s transforming the world of road haulage, but has the recent ‘Uberisation’ been good news for truckers? From Nanjing to Nairobi, we discover how digital freight matching platforms are changing the way drivers access work, plan routes and the impact it’s having on the climate. But with driverless trucks on the horizon, what does the future hold for truckers and trucking firms? If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is [email protected]: Sam Gruet Producer: Megan Lawton(Picture: A white 18 wheeler truck on the road. Credit: Getty Images)

Pakistan closed its border with Afghanistan in October following sporadic fighting between the two countries.Since then, the movement of goods has stopped, and lines of trucks have been waiting to cross. We look at the impact of this key trade route being shut and what it means for livelihoods and businesses on both sides of the border. If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is [email protected]: Will Bain Producer: Hannah Mullane(Picture: Lorries and a group of people congregating at the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Credit: BBC)

We meet the real estate developer who’s been tasked with turning Saudi Arabia into a global tourism hub.It is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision for the Kingdom, diversifying the economy away from oil. Red Sea Global CEO John Pagano has managed massive development projects including London's Canary Wharf, a luxury holiday resort in the Bahamas, and now, a tourism mega project on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Coast. We hear about his career to date and why he likes an ambitious project. This is his biggest yet - can he pull it off?Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Elisabeth Mahy Additional production: Niamh McDermott(Photo: John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global. Credit: Red Sea Global)

More countries are considering selling state-owned postal services - many have failed to make a profit for years. As businesses and people send fewer letters, there's also strong competition from global package delivery companies. We hear about the challenges facing postal services in Ireland, many of which have been in business for more than a hundred years. And we look to the US, where President Donald Trump favours privatising the national mail service; while in India, the state-run post office network will remain under government control. We also examine efforts to modernise postal services, which could mean delivery by drones and robots in the near future, supervised by AI.If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is [email protected] and presented by Russell Padmore(Image: A green pillar postbox in Ireland)