Podcasts

The number of people visiting our high streets and shopping centres has fallen for the second month in a row. Overall, retail footfall in October was 0.4% lower compared to the same time a year ago, but it was still better than September's fall of 0.9%. This is according to the latest BRC-Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor, which found that customer traffic in shopping centres fell for the ninth consecutive month. Despite this, the 1.8% drop signalled an improvement on September's 2.5% drop. To discuss the findings in more detail, Simon Rose spoke to Diane Wehrle, Marketing and Insights Director at Springboard

Optimism among UK companies has dipped to its lowest in over four years. This is according to the latest Markit Business Outlook survey. Furthermore, worldwide business confidence fell to its lowest level in over six years due to growing political uncertainty, enhancing worries of the potential impact of Brexit on the UK economy. Chris Williamson, IHS Markit's chief economist, spoke to Simon to discuss the survey in more detail.

Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke to top technology fund manager Walter Price, Head of Allianz Technology Trust. He's based in San Francisco - but joined Ed in the studio to give his thoughts on the US election, Trump tariffs, and the investment approach of his trust.

Crowdfunders is our weekly look at what's hot and what's not in the crowdfunding and peer-to-peer space, examining the latest news and developments in the fast growing world of alternative finance. Your host is Ed Bowsher, and on today's show he'll investigate crowdfunding that supports community projects such as swimming pools or playgrounds, as well looking at new data from Altfi showing how equity crowdfunding projects have performed since the sector's creation in 2011. Enjoyed Crowdfunders? You should try the Investment Trust Show, Share Radio’s examination of the world of investment trusts: https://audioboom.com/channel/shareradio-investmenttrustshow

How messy is your desk? If it is covered it clutter, then it could be standing in the way of a promotion. A study has found almost a third of people admit to having a packed workspace. Almost one in ten bosses say they'd think twice before promoting an employee who had an untidy desk. For more on this, Sue Dougan was joined on the line by Phil Jones from office supplier Brother UK.

Part of President Obama's legacy were rules to curb the excesses of investment banks on wall street - the Dodd-Frank Act, a United States federal law that places regulation of the financial industry in the hands of the government. Some would like to see the brakes off, though more commentators have voiced concerns after President-elect Donald Trump announced he hopes to enact reforms when he enters office in the New Year. They fear changes could herald the return of casino banks engaging in risky financial behaviour. Share Radio's Matt Cox spoke to Colin Cieszynski, Chief Analyst at CMS Markets and Philip Alexander, Editor at Risk.net.

Household debt in the UK has soared to a record high. We now owe an average of £30 thousand pounds each in household debt, according to figures from the Money Charity. This is mainly from mortgages and credit debt. To find out more information, Sue Dougan is joined on the line by Money Charity's policy and communication officer Frank Hobson.

As Christmas is creeping up on us quickly now, it can take a toll on your finances. As much as we love the mince pies and bottomless glasses of Bailey's it can be a very stressful time - not least because when you add it all up, it's a super expensive time of year. It doesn't always have to be though as Nick Hill explains.

Sue Dougan is joined in the studio by Hannah Maundrell editor in chief of money.co.uk. On the agenda today, as we head towards the winter, we are being warned to brace themselves for a rise in their energy bills. Elsewhere, Visa says consumer spending increased by 2.5% in October compared to the same month last year. Plus, Amazon is in the news again after being ordered to pay back the parents of children who made in-app purchases on mobile devices. All these stories and more on The News Review.

October saw a minimal decrease in available jobs from the previous month, highlighting the City's resilient nature in the face of post-Brexit alarmist rhetoric. London's picture is often different to the rest of the country and might have different needs, like for instance retaining passporting to continue the number of overseas operations. Hakan Enver, Operations Director at Morgan McKinley Financial Services, joined Share Radio to discuss this and other issues around London employment.