FutureFive Australia - Consumer technology news from the future

Rising Costs Stories - Page 2

Australian Stories

Rising Costs stories

Ordermentum secures AUD $55 million backing from Five V
Data Analytics

Ordermentum secures AUD $55 million backing from Five V

The funding will help the hospitality software group hire, expand AI tools and buy smaller rivals as venues face rising costs.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Fri, 22nd May 2026
Australian SMEs absorb rising fuel costs, MYOB says
Data Analytics

Australian SMEs absorb rising fuel costs, MYOB says

Fuel now tops cost pressures for Australian SMEs, but most are still swallowing the rise rather than passing it on to customers.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Mon, 18th May 2026
Australian skincare founder hit by chargeback scams
Data Protection

Australian skincare founder hit by chargeback scams

Tens of thousands of dollars in disputed payments have left a Sydney skincare business exposed as household budgets tighten and chargeback fraud rises.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Tue, 14th Apr 2026
Why outdoor furniture protection is becoming a smart investment
Real estate

Why outdoor furniture protection is becoming a smart investment

Rising replacement costs and harsh weather are pushing homeowners to shield costly outdoor settings before fading and damage set in.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Wed, 8th Apr 2026
Late payments threaten Payday Super for small businesses
Crypto

Late payments threaten Payday Super for small businesses

Late payments leave Australian small firms fearing missed Payday Super, as Xero finds cash flow gaps and AUD $15,257 losses on average.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Mon, 23rd Mar 2026
SMEs bullish on growth but stuck in strategic advice gap
Risk & Compliance

SMEs bullish on growth but stuck in strategic advice gap

Australian SMEs are upbeat on 2026 growth but say they are “flying blind”, lacking strategic advisers and facing a sharp regional advice gap.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Fri, 6th Mar 2026

Global Stories

Rising Costs stories

CFOs face AI talent squeeze amid market volatility
Data Analytics

CFOs face AI talent squeeze amid market volatility

CFOs rank AI skills and market shocks as top threats, as talent shortages, rising costs and geopolitical turmoil squeeze finance teams.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Mon, 23rd Mar 2026
Late payments push Australian small firms into debt
Fintech

Late payments push Australian small firms into debt

Late payments are pushing more Australian small firms into debt, draining weeks on chasing invoices and fuelling rising financial stress.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 11th Mar 2026
Sessions hits 5m orders as virtual kitchens fuel growth
Digital Transformation

Sessions hits 5m orders as virtual kitchens fuel growth

London's Sessions hits 5m delivery orders as its 400-plus virtual kitchens offer embattled independent restaurants a lower-cost growth route.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Fri, 6th Mar 2026
Fleets test AI as ageing vehicles drive up costs
Cartech

Fleets test AI as ageing vehicles drive up costs

Fleet operators cautiously trial AI to tame rising costs as ageing vehicles and maintenance bottlenecks drive up downtime and service spend.

By Kaleah Salmon • 3 min read • Fri, 20th Feb 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Rising Costs stories

UK SMEs fear cyber attacks most, Hiscox survey finds
Physical Security

UK SMEs fear cyber attacks most, Hiscox survey finds

Sleep loss and costly cover gaps are leaving most UK small firms exposed, as 77% say they do not understand cyber insurance.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Fri, 8th May 2026
Xero flags rising payment delays for US small firms
Data Analytics

Xero flags rising payment delays for US small firms

Cash flow pressure is building for US small firms as payment times lengthened and late invoices rose in Xero's March quarter data.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 5th May 2026
O2 Business rebrand targets UK firms' tech complexity
Unified Communications

O2 Business rebrand targets UK firms' tech complexity

UK business leaders say tangled tech is raising costs and slowing growth, as O2 Business launches with a simpler offer for customers.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Mon, 4th May 2026
Tenzo appoints Jane O'Riordan as Chair of the Board
Software-as-a-Service

Tenzo appoints Jane O'Riordan as Chair of the Board

With margins under pressure across hospitality, the data platform has added Jane O'Riordan to guide strategy as it targets UK and overseas growth.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Wed, 8th Apr 2026
New Zealand SMEs hit by falling revenue & weak confidence
Risk & Compliance

New Zealand SMEs hit by falling revenue & weak confidence

Rising costs and policy uncertainty are squeezing small firms, with 63% of owners reporting lower revenue and confidence subdued across the sector.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Tue, 31st Mar 2026
Argenbright Security picks Totalmobile for UK workforce
Digital Transformation

Argenbright Security picks Totalmobile for UK workforce

Real-time scheduling will help the security firm cope with urgent call-outs and late shift changes that older systems could not manage.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Thu, 26th Mar 2026
Resilience is becoming Canada's new competitive advantage
Digital Transformation

Resilience is becoming Canada's new competitive advantage

Canadian firms are harnessing AI and efficiency to turn tariff shocks and labour shortages into a new edge: resilience-driven growth.

By LSP Chandrashekar • 5 min read • Wed, 4th Mar 2026