When thinking about gourmet grub, ice lollies might not immediately spring to mind. But with each ‘paleta’ from Los Paleteros almost twice the size (and price) of a traditional lolly, fancy ice cream on a stick has become a hit in Brazil. Why are people willing to splash out on posh popsicles?

In Brazil, applying for a credit card is a whole lot of hassle. But mobile-first service Nubank is harnessing the 90 million-strong smartphone circulation to replace all that poor service and paperwork with a streamlined, app-based offering. Is this the future of Brazilian banking?

New shopping malls and a young population with sophisticated shopping tastes are helping make Brazil one of the world's most profitable luxury markets. But the recent economic downturn means optimism is ebbing. Does a gloomy economic outlook spell the end of Brazil’s luxury bonanza?

Brazilians are world-renowned party lovers, so it's no surprise that the wedding industry is booming. But as these celebrations of love grow increasingly lavish – buffered by the import of Western wedding traditions – the economy is slowing. Can this decade-long growth continue?