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Economic downturn Stories

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Economic downturn stories

Quanton marks a decade with six million hours saved
Manufacturing

Quanton marks a decade with six million hours saved

Its founders say the consultancy has avoided redundancies and kept growth lean, even as demand for AI transformation rises across the region.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last week
WARC lifts ad outlook but Gulf crisis risks USD $94bn
Marketing Technologies

WARC lifts ad outlook but Gulf crisis risks USD $94bn

A prolonged Gulf energy crisis could wipe USD $93.7 billion from expected ad market growth as higher costs hit spending worldwide.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last month
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 • Last 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

Stories from Other Regions

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 • Last month
Brickflow & Revcore launch distressed property team
Fintech

Brickflow & Revcore launch distressed property team

Rising rates and insolvencies are forcing lenders to move faster on troubled assets, prompting a new workout service for distressed property.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
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 • Fri, 29th May 2026
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 • Wed, 20th May 2026
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 • Wed, 13th May 2026
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
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
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
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
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
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