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Business Confidence stories

Xero finds New Zealand small business productivity lags
Manufacturing

Xero finds New Zealand small business productivity lags

New data show Kiwi small firms generating less per hour than peers in Australia and the UK, as rising costs squeeze margins.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 18th Jun 2026

Global Stories

Business Confidence stories

AI skills appear in 17% of GTM job ads, index finds
Software-as-a-Service

AI skills appear in 17% of GTM job ads, index finds

AI hiring is spreading unevenly across revenue teams, with senior roles and Sydney adverts most likely to mention the skill.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month
Australia & New Zealand small firms lift marketing spend
Data Protection

Australia & New Zealand small firms lift marketing spend

Despite inflation and interest-rate pressure, most small firms are boosting marketing and AI use to win customers and protect revenue.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Thu, 18th Jun 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Business Confidence stories

Canadian small business sales fall for third quarter
Data Analytics

Canadian small business sales fall for third quarter

Cash-flow pressures are mounting for Canadian small firms, with Xero data showing sales fell 0.6% year on year in the June quarter.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
UK SMEs miss GBP £54 billion as finance confidence dips
Productivity

UK SMEs miss GBP £54 billion as finance confidence dips

Confusion and mistrust are leaving thousands of SMEs unable to fund expansion, with Portman estimating a GBP £54 billion hit to revenue.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Australian small business sales growth slows to 6.5%
Xero

Australian small business sales growth slows to 6.5%

Higher borrowing costs and fuel prices have cooled discretionary spending, leaving consumer-facing firms under pressure as sales growth slowed.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Early mortgage hardship boosts repayment recovery: Experian
Data Analytics

Early mortgage hardship boosts repayment recovery: Experian

Borrowers who seek help before falling behind on mortgages are far more likely to recover, with 87% back on track within six months.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last week
UK SMEs cut R&D after tax relief reforms, survey finds
Manufacturing

UK SMEs cut R&D after tax relief reforms, survey finds

Many firms have scaled back research, hiring and projects after HMRC tightened the UK's R&D tax relief rules, a survey finds.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
NovaUCD, PTSB launch energy accelerator for startups
Power / Energy

NovaUCD, PTSB launch energy accelerator for startups

Early-stage Irish start-ups could get mentoring and finance as a new accelerator and a EUR 250 million lending fund target green growth.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
UK IT firms eye defence growth as confidence rises
Supply Chain

UK IT firms eye defence growth as confidence rises

A Barclays survey found 62 per cent of IT and telecoms firms expect more defence work, but skills and funding gaps still hinder growth.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
CIMA urges tax & skills reset to back business growth
Human Capital Management

CIMA urges tax & skills reset to back business growth

Businesses want clearer tax rules and broader training support as CIMA warns weak productivity could hold back UK growth.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Younger workers drive wage growth in Australia's SMBs
Small Business

Younger workers drive wage growth in Australia's SMBs

Pay rises are easing across Australia's SMB sector, but 18- to 24-year-olds still posted the strongest annual wage gains in June.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month
Irish CEOs upbeat on growth as geopolitical risk rises
Digital Transformation

Irish CEOs upbeat on growth as geopolitical risk rises

Geopolitical tensions are now the top worry for Irish bosses, even as 92% expect revenue growth and a stronger competitive position.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 30th Jun 2026
EY survey says investors back Ireland despite wider risks
Artificial Intelligence

EY survey says investors back Ireland despite wider risks

Concerns over infrastructure and costs have not deterred foreign investors, with two-thirds planning to expand in Ireland over the next year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Fri, 26th Jun 2026
MYOB data points to pause in small business hiring
MYOB

MYOB data points to pause in small business hiring

Weaker demand and rising wage costs are leaving most SMEs in a holding pattern, with few planning to add staff over the next year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 23rd Jun 2026
Lloyds survey: UK financial firms boost AI spending
Data Analytics

Lloyds survey: UK financial firms boost AI spending

AI and emerging tech are becoming a growth priority for UK lenders and insurers, with 91% expecting higher spending over the next year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Fri, 19th Jun 2026
The warm-weather playbook: How small business owners turn sunny days into loyal customers
Customer Experience

The warm-weather playbook: How small business owners turn sunny days into loyal customers

Summer foot traffic gives small firms a rare chance to win loyal buyers with banners, uniforms and merch, if they act quickly.

By Erin Shea • 6 min read • Thu, 18th Jun 2026