Category Archives: Consumer & Retail

Creating success for tomorrow

Australia’s AI evolution is becoming a two speed transition

Is AI adoption in Australia entering a two-speed phase? For the past two years, the AI story has largely been about adoption. More Australians have become familiar with generative AI,…

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Car Brand Loyalty At A Tipping Point

Why is car brand loyalty in Australia weakening in 2026? Automotive brand loyalty is under pressure, and the latest Fifth Quadrant Consumer Tracker shows repeat purchase can no longer be…

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SME August 2026: SME growth ambitions rebound, but for how long?

Are Australian SME growth ambitions recovering? August data points to a sharp rebound in confidence, although weak revenue, rising loan stress and renewed interest rate risks suggest the recovery remains…

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ChatGPT leads Australia’s AI market as heavier users expand their AI toolkit

Which AI tools in Australia are people using most, and how does behaviour change as users become more experienced with generative AI? Generative AI has evolved rapidly over the past…

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Auto Technology Has A Trust Problem

Why is trust in automotive technology falling among Australian consumers? Automotive technology trust in Australia is weakening as vehicle technology advances faster than consumer confidence. Australians are becoming more selective…

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New SME research shows the card surcharge is going, but the cost is not

What will the 2026 Australian card surcharge ban mean for SMEs if the surcharge disappears but the cost of accepting card payments does not? On 1 October 2026, the way…

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The accidental hero behind Fifth Quadrant’s growth

How can thought leadership research become a long-term source of market authority, trust and new business?Our experience with the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker shows how a six-month COVID research…

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Health, money and happiness. What’s driving Australia’s wellbeing divide?

New Fifth Quadrant tracking shows that wellbeing in Australia is under pressure, with Australians feeling less positive about their health, but age alone does not explain the shift. Health, financial…

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SME July 2026: Higher wage costs another blow for SMEs

How are rising wage costs and weakening confidence affecting Australian SMEs in July? SME July 2026: SME confidence weakened again in July as renewed geopolitical tensions and ongoing cost pressures…

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Healthcare affordability is reshaping consumer behaviour

How is healthcare affordability in Australia changing when, where and how consumers seek medical care? Cost-of-living pressure is no longer confined to discretionary spending. For many Australians, it is now…

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