Gift Cards’ Hidden Costs and Venezuela’s Economic Surge

Explore the surprising economics behind unused gift cards and how they benefit retailers more than consumers. Discover Venezuela's unexpected lead in Latin America's economic growth for 2024, defying recent challenges. Plus, delve into the UK's economic stagnation and the NBA's financial hurdles affecting its global appeal. This episode offers a deep dive into the intricate connections between consumer behavior, economic policies, and market dynamics.

Sources:
https://theapopkavoice.com/stories/the-economics-of-unused-gift-cards,105414
https://tvbrics.com/en/news/venezuela-leads-latin-america-in-economic-growth-in-2024/
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/23/uk-economy-stagnates-gdp-figures-keir-starmer-rachel-reeves-growth
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2024/12/22/2003828927

Outline:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:00:39) The economics of unused gift cards
(00:03:16) Venezuela leads Latin America in economic growth in 2024
(00:06:30) UK economy stagnates as GDP figures revised down
(00:09:51) The NBA’s problem is economics, not basketball