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Business Confidence Stories

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Business Confidence stories

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 • Last week
UK small business sales growth slows to two-year low
Financial Systems

UK small business sales growth slows to two-year low

Customer-facing firms were hit hardest as weak demand and higher costs left UK small businesses with their slowest sales growth in two years.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Scotland tech optimism holds as AI adoption surges
Data Analytics

Scotland tech optimism holds as AI adoption surges

Nearly all Scottish tech firms now use AI, with full adoption doubling to 18% as sales and cashflow improve despite softer confidence.

By Kaleah Salmon • 3 min read • Last month
Transport firms warn of conflict-hit supply chains
Manufacturing

Transport firms warn of conflict-hit supply chains

Concern has surged among UK logistics firms as Middle East conflict raises the risk of supply chain delays and higher shipping costs.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Business Confidence stories

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Business Confidence stories

Australian small businesses see AI boost jobs & revenue
Digital Transformation

Australian small businesses see AI boost jobs & revenue

Australian small firms are reporting higher revenue and hiring from AI, with regular use almost doubling in 18 months to 69%.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Yesterday
Australia business confidence stays weak as costs rise
Artificial Intelligence

Australia business confidence stays weak as costs rise

Rising fuel and energy bills are squeezing margins and leaving Australian firms facing weaker trading conditions ahead.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • 2 days ago
Australian SMEs await Budget on investment & hiring
Manufacturing

Australian SMEs await Budget on investment & hiring

Many small businesses may delay investment and hiring unless the Federal Budget delivers tax relief and help with rising costs.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Australian small business sales rise 7.2% in Q1 2026
Partner Programmes

Australian small business sales rise 7.2% in Q1 2026

Momentum stayed firm for Australian small businesses in the March quarter, as sales, jobs and wages all rose despite higher fuel costs.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Xero sees fifth straight quarter of small business growth
Agricultural Technology

Xero sees fifth straight quarter of small business growth

Improving demand and higher interest-rate relief helped New Zealand small businesses post 3.9% sales growth in the March quarter.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last week
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 • Last month
Australian inflation eases, but RBA tightening looms
Power / Energy

Australian inflation eases, but RBA tightening looms

Fuel costs have pushed headline prices higher again, leaving the Reserve Bank of Australia under pressure to raise interest rates despite softer underlying inflation.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
AI adoption lifts NZ business revenue, study finds
Data Analytics

AI adoption lifts NZ business revenue, study finds

AI users are already outperforming peers, with New Zealand SMEs earning about NZD $400,000 more and large firms NZD $59.1 million more in FY25.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last month
From scramble to certainty: rethinking tax time for Kiwi small businesses
Firewalls

From scramble to certainty: rethinking tax time for Kiwi small businesses

Poor digital confidence is leaving 42% of Kiwi small businesses dreading tax time, as mixed systems and security gaps expose errors.

By Shannon Harris • 4 min read • Last month
New Zealand firms seek energy certainty to boost investment
Robotic Process Automation

New Zealand firms seek energy certainty to boost investment

Energy uncertainty is delaying spending, with 39 per cent of firms postponing expansion plans as costs and supply stay volatile.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month
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 • Last month
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 • Last month
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