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Australian Stories

Holiday season stories

More than half of Australians receive unwanted Christmas gifts
Christmas

More than half of Australians receive unwanted Christmas gifts

Over half of Australians have received unwanted Christmas gifts, with 76% struggling to choose suitable presents each festive season, new research reveals.

By Melvin Hipolito • 3 min read • Thu, 4th Dec 2025
Young Australians at greatest risk as holiday cyber scams surge
Advanced Persistent Threat Protection

Young Australians at greatest risk as holiday cyber scams surge

Young Australians are most at risk as holiday online shopping scams surge, with Gen Z and Millennials more likely to engage in risky cyber behaviours this season.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Tue, 25th Nov 2025

Global Stories

Holiday season stories

Retailers hit by 'Christmas Returns Hangover' surge
Unified Communications

Retailers hit by 'Christmas Returns Hangover' surge

Retailers brace for a “Christmas Returns Hangover” as eDesk reports a 45% spike in return requests from 26 December, denting profits.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Wed, 17th Dec 2025
Understanding the holiday shopper: A retailer's guide to winning the season
Customer Experience

Understanding the holiday shopper: A retailer's guide to winning the season

Australian holiday shoppers are spending strategically, forcing retailers to sharpen promotions, personalise offers and boost in-store experience.

By Brendan Straw • 5 min read • Tue, 16th Dec 2025
Dear Santa - A Christmas wishlist for crypto owners (2025 edition)
Crypto

Dear Santa - A Christmas wishlist for crypto owners (2025 edition)

Crypto fans pen a festive wishlist to Santa, hoping 2026 brings calmer markets, clearer rules and fewer awkward family debates.

By Paul Quickenden • 4 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025
AI & TikTok trends reshape Kiwi Christmas cooking
Artificial Intelligence

AI & TikTok trends reshape Kiwi Christmas cooking

TikTok trends, AI tools and global flavours are transforming Kiwi Christmas menus, as Appetise data shows earlier, budget-savvy festive planning.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Wed, 10th Dec 2025
Softonic issues guide to avoid scams in festive sales
Firewalls

Softonic issues guide to avoid scams in festive sales

Softonic issues festive-season guide warning of rising scams in fake shops, apps and delivery messages as online bargain hunting surges.

By Kaleah Salmon • 5 min read • Tue, 9th Dec 2025
Friendly fraud rise during Cyber Week threatens retail profits
Online shopping

Friendly fraud rise during Cyber Week threatens retail profits

US retailers face rising friendly fraud during Cyber Week as 77% of shoppers dispute charges via banks, threatening profits amid USD $43.7bn online spend.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Fri, 5th Dec 2025
Stop failed deliveries this holiday season: A data-first playbook for Aussie eCommerce
eCommerce

Stop failed deliveries this holiday season: A data-first playbook for Aussie eCommerce

The holiday rush is a make-or-break moment for Australia's online retailers.

By Edmund Ng • 5 min read • Thu, 27th Nov 2025
eCommerce platforms face AI-powered cyber threats for 2025 season
Virtual Private Networks

eCommerce platforms face AI-powered cyber threats for 2025 season

eCommerce platforms face rising AI-driven cyber threats ahead of 2025 holidays as attackers exploit vulnerabilities and stolen credentials for fraud.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Wed, 26th Nov 2025
Australians embrace AI & flexible payments for online sales
Buy Now Pay Later

Australians embrace AI & flexible payments for online sales

Seventy percent of Australians plan to shop online this holiday season, with AI tools and Buy Now, Pay Later options driving a digital surge in sales.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Tue, 25th Nov 2025

Stories from Other Regions

Holiday season stories

Most UK parents back plans to cap kids' social media use
Gaming

Most UK parents back plans to cap kids' social media use

Two thirds of UK parents back government plans to cap children's social media at two hours a day, new Uswitch research suggests.

By Shannon Williams • 5 min read • Fri, 12th Dec 2025
Festive-season cyber fraud surges as shoppers seek discounts
Multi-factor authentication

Festive-season cyber fraud surges as shoppers seek discounts

Festive-season cyber fraud is surging across India, with Karnataka alone reporting losses above INR ₹2,000 crores, experts warn.

By Catherine Knowles • 5 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025
Intel unveils Canada laptop guide with game giveaway
Gaming

Intel unveils Canada laptop guide with game giveaway

Intel launches a Canada laptop guide from CAD $399.99 to CAD $2,199.99, bundling select gaming models with a free blockbuster PC title.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Wed, 10th Dec 2025
Cricut debuts tattoo & magnet sheets at Harvey Norman
Marketing Technologies

Cricut debuts tattoo & magnet sheets at Harvey Norman

Cricut launches exclusive NZD $19.85 tattoo and magnet sheet packs at Harvey Norman NZ, targeting personalised holiday-season crafting.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Tue, 9th Dec 2025
Get ahead of the rush: 5 tips from your marketing partner for holiday success
Customer Experience

Get ahead of the rush: 5 tips from your marketing partner for holiday success

Canadian businesses can boost holiday sales by combining digital with impactful print marketing like signage and personalised gifts to stand out locally.

By Erin Shea • 5 min read • Wed, 3rd Dec 2025
NZD $12 billion at risk for retailers as shoppers shun bad service
Customer Experience

NZD $12 billion at risk for retailers as shoppers shun bad service

New Zealand retailers risk losing NZD $12 billion this peak season as almost half of consumers shun businesses after one bad experience.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Thu, 27th Nov 2025