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Living costs stories

Five key challenges Australian CFOs will face by 2026
Data Analytics

Five key challenges Australian CFOs will face by 2026

Australian CFOs face a turbulent 2026, juggling AI integration, cost pressures, talent gaps, new ESG rules and fragile supply chains.

By Scott Wiltshire • 3 min read • Tue, 27th Jan 2026
Christmas food splurge drives surprise rise in spending
Christmas

Christmas food splurge drives surprise rise in spending

Festive food, drink and dining out delivered a surprise December spending lift, as households splurged ahead of Christmas gatherings.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Sat, 17th Jan 2026
Karmo car subscriptions added to CommBank's marketplace
Fintech

Karmo car subscriptions added to CommBank's marketplace

Karmo's car subscriptions join Commonwealth Bank's Cars for CommBank marketplace, offering flexible access to petrol, hybrid and electric cars.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Fri, 9th Jan 2026
Young Australian men swap pub nights for online gaming
Gaming

Young Australian men swap pub nights for online gaming

Young Australian men are ditching pub nights for online gaming, as new research shows digital hangouts now rival bars for socialising.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Mon, 22nd Dec 2025
1Wheel revolutionises Australia's private car sales market
Email Security

1Wheel revolutionises Australia's private car sales market

Perth startup 1Wheel is revolutionising private car sales in Australia, offering a transparent, no-fee service amid rising living costs.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Tue, 19th Nov 2024

Global Stories

Living costs stories

Ransomware gangs step up insider recruitment, says NCC
Data Protection

Ransomware gangs step up insider recruitment, says NCC

Ransomware gangs are stepping up efforts to recruit insiders, warns NCC Group, as December 2025 attacks jump 13% to 784 globally.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Fri, 30th Jan 2026
NZ jobs grow but hours, tech roles & pay all slide
Marketing Technologies

NZ jobs grow but hours, tech roles & pay all slide

NZ adds more jobs but works fewer hours as high-paid tech roles, casual shifts and young workers' pay all slide, new data shows.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Wed, 14th Jan 2026
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
Office gifting trends shift amid rising living costs
Workplace

Office gifting trends shift amid rising living costs

Workplace gifting is evolving as living costs rise, with fewer colleagues contributing but higher average amounts per gift, reports GroupTogether.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Thu, 6th Feb 2025

Stories from Other Regions

Living costs stories

UK households face GBP £6.85 billion bill rise in April
Unified Communications

UK households face GBP £6.85 billion bill rise in April

Some households could offset April’s bill hikes by switching broadband or mobile, but council tax and water will still add to the squeeze.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Thu, 26th Mar 2026
UK household bills to rise GBP £6.85 billion a year
Unified Communications

UK household bills to rise GBP £6.85 billion a year

Millions of households can trim some of the blow as out-of-contract broadband and mobile users face the sharpest rises from April.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Thu, 26th Mar 2026
UK retail rebounds as online sales post sharp surge
Marketing Technologies

UK retail rebounds as online sales post sharp surge

UK retail sales jumped in January as online spending saw its fastest annual rise since 2021, signalling a more resilient consumer mood.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Thu, 26th Feb 2026
Telecoms charter under fire as April bill rises loom
Unified Communications

Telecoms charter under fire as April bill rises loom

UK telecoms charter faces scrutiny as April bill hikes loom, with Ofcom complaints and consumer groups questioning value and service.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Fri, 20th Feb 2026
Hybrid lending model key to Canada's financial future
Digital Transformation

Hybrid lending model key to Canada's financial future

Canada's lending future is going hybrid as Money Mart doubles down on both mobile apps and 420-plus branches to widen access.

By Peter Kalen • 4 min read • Sat, 31st Jan 2026
Singapore investors bullish on markets, wary at home
Supply Chain

Singapore investors bullish on markets, wary at home

Singapore retail investors back the global bull run into 2026 even as confidence at home in jobs, economy and living costs erodes.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Fri, 9th Jan 2026
Economic, mental strain drive 80,000 Kiwis to Australia
Northland

Economic, mental strain drive 80,000 Kiwis to Australia

Almost 80,000 New Zealanders moved to Australia in 2024 as economic pressure worsens mental health, with over half citing financial stress as their main concern.

By Jed Nykolle Harme • 4 min read • Tue, 17th Jun 2025
UK consumers prioritise value over brand loyalty: study
Customer Experience

UK consumers prioritise value over brand loyalty: study

A recent study reveals 57% of UK shoppers now prioritise quality and value over brand loyalty, prompting marketers to rethink engagement strategies.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Wed, 26th Mar 2025