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Economic downturn Stories

Australian Stories

Economic downturn stories

Avetta widens Australian supplier search with AI tool
Software-as-a-Service

Avetta widens Australian supplier search with AI tool

Australian buyers can now find nearby, compliant suppliers faster as Avetta adds AI search and richer benchmarking to its platform.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • 4 days ago
Xero warns of stress crisis for Australian small businesses
Fintech

Xero warns of stress crisis for Australian small businesses

More than a quarter of owners fear the economy will worsen their strain as tax time and compliance pressures erode productivity and sleep.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Australia's late business payments hit six-year high
Manufacturing

Australia's late business payments hit six-year high

Cash-flow strain is deepening as overdue invoices and tax debts rise, with smaller firms hardest hit by higher rates and costs.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 6 min read • Last month
Budget tax changes spare RBA inflation, says economist
Labour Party

Budget tax changes spare RBA inflation, says economist

Relief for the Reserve Bank comes as the federal budget avoids fresh cost-of-living handouts, while tightening tax breaks for higher earners.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last month
Australia energy shock raises insolvency risk for firms
Supply Chain

Australia energy shock raises insolvency risk for firms

Higher fuel and power costs are intensifying cash-flow strains for smaller firms, with CreditorWatch warning insolvencies may rise over 12 months.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Wed, 15th Apr 2026
Australian confidence drops as fuel costs hit sentiment
Partner Programmes

Australian confidence drops as fuel costs hit sentiment

Households and firms are facing renewed cost-of-living pressure, with petrol prices driving sentiment to levels last seen during the GFC and pandemic.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Tue, 14th Apr 2026
Fuel costs push NSW firms to review staffing levels
Supply Chain

Fuel costs push NSW firms to review staffing levels

Almost half of surveyed employers are weighing shorter hours or fewer staff as higher fuel bills squeeze margins and weaken demand across NSW.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 13th Apr 2026

Global Stories

Economic downturn stories

IDC forecasts record smartphone shipment slump in 2026
Supply Chain

IDC forecasts record smartphone shipment slump in 2026

Higher handset prices and supply shortages are set to hit low-end buyers hardest as worldwide shipments slump 13.9% next year, IDC said.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • This month
Stop pouring money into cloud providers: The cost of inaction
Digital Transformation

Stop pouring money into cloud providers: The cost of inaction

Mismanaged cloud bills are draining budgets by 20-35%, with AI workloads adding fresh risk and hidden waste often going unchecked.

By Mark Graham • 5 min read • Wed, 15th Apr 2026
Pivoting marketing strategy in the face of a recession
Customer Experience

Pivoting marketing strategy in the face of a recession

Inflation is forcing brands to ditch blanket discounts as shoppers scrutinise every purchase and demand clearer value.

By Azadeh Williams • 6 min read • Fri, 10th Apr 2026
Business leaders keep betting on AI despite recession
Data Analytics

Business leaders keep betting on AI despite recession

Despite recession fears, 74 per cent of senior executives still plan to keep AI near the top of budgets, KPMG found.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 2nd Apr 2026
Entrepreneurs turn to AI for efficiency, not new markets
Robotics

Entrepreneurs turn to AI for efficiency, not new markets

Entrepreneurs increasingly see AI as a tool for efficiency and cost-cutting, not a springboard to new markets or sustainability goals.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Thu, 12th Mar 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Economic downturn 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 • Last month
Canadian small business sales fall 4% in March quarter
Partner Programmes

Canadian small business sales fall 4% in March quarter

Cash flow is tightening for Canadian small businesses as March sales improved only slightly, while payment times lengthened and late bills rose.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Fri, 1st May 2026
Atis app launch adds loyalty and direct ordering channel
Digital Transformation

Atis app launch adds loyalty and direct ordering channel

Half of atis orders are already digital, and its first app will let customers collect points, skip queues and pre-order bowls.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Tue, 14th 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
UK PC retail slumps as Eurozone markets power ahead
Supply Chain

UK PC retail slumps as Eurozone markets power ahead

UK PC retail slumps with sales down as much as 26%, while Germany and France surge ahead, widening Europe's consumer tech divide.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Thu, 19th Mar 2026