Card Surcharges Are Ending. The Costs Aren’t
What the RBA’s reform means for pricing, margins, and consumer behaviour. The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to ban debit and credit card surcharges is being positioned as a win…
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Creating success for tomorrow
SME March 2026: SME sentiment collapses, but growth ambitions remain
Updates to this research are published monthly. SME March 2026: SME sentiment has weakened significantly, reflecting rising geopolitical uncertainty, cost pressures and a deteriorating near term outlook. However, growth ambitions…
Continue readingSME February 2026: SME Growth Hits 12-Month Low
Updates to this research are published monthly. SME February 2026: SME revenues improved slightly in February, with the net score recovering to -12% from -17% in January, although still below…
Continue readingHow to engage growth-focused SMEs
How to engage growth-focused SMEs is one of the most important challenges in B2B marketing. Many organisations segment the market using firmographics such as business size. This approach is common…
Continue readingHow generative AI is redefining search behaviour in Australia
Generative AI is increasingly being used as a first-choice channel for information-intensive tasks. Findings from the latest Fifth Quadrant Consumer Sentiment Tracker indicate a measurable shift in search behaviour. Australians…
Continue readingThe hidden reality of male confidence
Australian men are sitting at 63 out of 100 when it comes to overall confidence. If your phone battery was at 63%, you’d be looking for a charger. That’s where…
Continue readingThe pessimism paradox: Why Australia’s wealthiest generation doesn’t feel secure
Generation X is now Australia’s wealthiest generation, holding more wealth in property and shares than any other generation in Australia. According to the latest KPMG analysis, Gen X households have…
Continue readingSME January 2026: SME confidence falls sharply as rates and uncertainty rise
Updates to this research are published monthly. SME January 2026: Short-term business confidence weakened materially in January, slipping well below consumer confidence and reaching its lowest level in nearly two…
Continue readingEntry level hiring falls amid AI rise
Entry level hiring in Australia is contracting sharply, mirroring a global pattern that has seen junior job postings fall 29 percentage points since January 2024. According to Randstad’s 2025 Global…
Continue readingSupply chain volatility is permanent
The World Economic Forum’s January 2026 Global Value Chains Outlook delivered a blunt message: Supply Chain Volatility is now permanent. Supply chain resilience in Australia and globally is no longer…
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