Inflation stories
Confidence among regional finance chiefs has improved, but geopolitical instability and trade risks still threaten investment plans and growth.
Cost-of-living pressures pushed more Australians to use Zip for bills, insurance and home maintenance, lifting spend per customer 15.4%.
Pressure to cut labour and food costs is driving interest in kitchen automation as the two firms aim to help chains roll out robots across sites.
Most UK consumers plan to keep festive spending steady, while AI use for price comparisons is gaining ground amid economic uncertainty.
Long onboarding times are stopping treasurers from earning better returns on the £1.12 billion in cash UK corporates hold on average.
The latest jobs report may exaggerate weakness, with CreditorWatch's chief economist blaming volatile state and part-time figures for the national drop.
The latest figures point to weaker demand and tighter margins, with employment across Australian small businesses down 0.6% in July.
A survey of 500 financial decision-makers found cash flow pressures stopped 39% of UK B2B SMEs from pursuing growth last year.
Rising pump prices are forcing the council to trim roading work, after fuel spending climbed by $200,000 in eight months.
Supply shortages and inflation are squeezing Australian design and construction firms, while more than half now say geopolitical tensions are making their chains fragile.
Record UK fuel prices are pushing up fulfilment and delivery costs for online sellers, squeezing margins and threatening demand.
Higher borrowing costs and cautious shoppers are forcing retailers to protect margins, avoid markdowns and get stock to the right place.
Revenue ran well ahead of budget as Waikato District Council turned a forecast $5.8 million deficit into a $26.7 million operating surplus in 2025/26.
Only 30% of firms with one to 19 staff plan to recruit in the next year, highlighting a widening gap with bigger employers.
Households are feeling the squeeze as higher fuel costs and the Reserve Bank of Australia's latest rate rise drove confidence down 4.7% in October.
Rising prices are making more US shoppers read their post, with direct mail increasingly driving purchases and digital actions, Lob found.
More than half of US consumers plan to shop before Thanksgiving as they hunt for deals, rewards and ways to stretch holiday budgets.
Rising café prices are denting demand, with Australians buying 5.9% fewer coffees in 2025 even as the average cup cost climbed to AUD $5.83.
For many owners, routine finance tasks are now eating into hiring, investment and growth plans as fragmented tools add to stress.
The shift could widen gaps in what customers pay for the same meal and sharpen scrutiny of how far the chain can steer franchisee prices.
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