Rising Costs stories
CFOs rank AI skills and market shocks as top threats, as talent shortages, rising costs and geopolitical turmoil squeeze finance teams.
Late payments are pushing more Australian small firms into debt, draining weeks on chasing invoices and fuelling rising financial stress.
London's Sessions hits 5m delivery orders as its 400-plus virtual kitchens offer embattled independent restaurants a lower-cost growth route.
Fleet operators cautiously trial AI to tame rising costs as ageing vehicles and maintenance bottlenecks drive up downtime and service spend.
Trans-Tasman small firms are upbeat and boosting tech and marketing, yet consumers report patchy service and missing digital basics.
Sleep loss and costly cover gaps are leaving most UK small firms exposed, as 77% say they do not understand cyber insurance.
Cash flow pressure is building for US small firms as payment times lengthened and late invoices rose in Xero's March quarter data.
UK business leaders say tangled tech is raising costs and slowing growth, as O2 Business launches with a simpler offer for customers.
Tens of thousands of dollars in disputed payments have left a Sydney skincare business exposed as household budgets tighten and chargeback fraud rises.
With margins under pressure across hospitality, the data platform has added Jane O'Riordan to guide strategy as it targets UK and overseas growth.
Rising replacement costs and harsh weather are pushing homeowners to shield costly outdoor settings before fading and damage set in.
Rising costs and policy uncertainty are squeezing small firms, with 63% of owners reporting lower revenue and confidence subdued across the sector.
Real-time scheduling will help the security firm cope with urgent call-outs and late shift changes that older systems could not manage.
Late payments leave Australian small firms fearing missed Payday Super, as Xero finds cash flow gaps and AUD $15,257 losses on average.
Australian SMEs are upbeat on 2026 growth but say they are “flying blind”, lacking strategic advisers and facing a sharp regional advice gap.
Canadian firms are harnessing AI and efficiency to turn tariff shocks and labour shortages into a new edge: resilience-driven growth.
Stress is costing Canadian small business owners 31 workdays a year, with many losing sleep, missing events and weighing up closing shop.
Spark and Icehouse will run free nationwide AI and productivity workshops to help New Zealand SMEs lift performance and overcome tech barriers.
Stress is surging for New Zealand's small business owners, with nearly half considering closing as rising costs and tax shocks take their toll.
Square rolls out free AI assistant in the UK, helping SME owners query their own sales data in plain English to speed up decisions.
