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christmas spending to drop 11%, as consumers lean into sales

New research from Fifth Quadrant reveals Australians are tightening their Christmas spending budgets this year, but their enthusiasm for Boxing Day and New Year sales is on the rise. The…

October 2024 VFACTS: driving with discounts

October 2024 VFACTs saw steady performance in Australia’s new vehicle market, closing the month with 99,969 units sold – nearly matching September’s 99,881 units. This stability is noteworthy, as October…

SME sentiment dips amid lack of confidence in economic conditions

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. After showing signs of recovery over the past two months, the latest Fifth Quadrant data reveals another dip in sentiment…

the trust crisis facing Australian FMCG 

Australian consumers are at a crossroads. With heightened awareness of health, sustainability, and ethical sourcing, they’re demanding more from their food and beverage choices than ever before. Recent data from…

autonomous vehicles: driving towards a safer future

Self-driving cars, or autonomous vehicles (AVs), have the potential to revolutionise transportation globally. As AV technology advances, the industry moves closer to a future where these vehicles can prevent accidents,…

September 2024 VFACTS: limping towards the finish line

As we close out the third quarter of 2024, the Australian new vehicle market has posted another 10% year-on-year decline, continuing the downward trend seen over recent months. Despite the…

is Google dead? how social media and AI are transforming search

Traditional search engines remain widely used, but their static, list-based format often requires users to sift through multiple links to find what they need. Consequently, social media platforms have become…

SME confidence rebounds from recent lows

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. After reaching significant lows in August, the latest Fifth Quadrant data indicates an improving outlook for SMEs, with 27% experiencing…

Culture at Fifth Quadrant

So far in my career, I have spent an estimated 7,900 hours in the workplace. Given that, it makes sense to want a workplace where you can enjoy not only…

The Energy Transition: 3 Key Challenges

As our energy grid becomes increasingly decarbonised, the smooth integration of renewable energy sources with current infrastructure becomes crucial. This month, we saw the share of electricity generated by renewables…

transitioning towards a sustainable energy future

As Australia navigates the global transition to a low-carbon economy, recent Government reports shed light on the country’s evolving energy landscape and emissions reduction efforts. Let’s dive into the key…

Human Insights Conference 2024: An Insightful and Inspiring Future

The Research Society’s 2024 Human Insights Conference, held in Sydney, brought together the industry for two days of insight sharing and future gazing on the rapidly evolving market research industry….

Nurturing critical thinkers: Shaping Our Industry’s Future

The future of our industry hinges on the successful development of younger generations to be critical thinkers, but we’re still struggling to consistently deliver this. I had the privilege of…

August 2024 VFACTS: toyota strong as market dips

August 2024 VFACTs marked a significant moment in the Australian automotive industry, with 98,238 units sold, for a 10.6% decline on last year’s 109,966 vehicles. While this initially suggest a…

SMEs remain resilient despite reaching new lows

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. SMEs have continued to face a downward trend in revenues, with 39% reporting declines in August and only 21% seeing…

business leaders key to responsible AI

As we stand on the cusp of an AI revolution, the importance of implementing Responsible AI (RAI) practices has never been more critical. Our latest research, the Australian Responsible AI…

top food trends 2024: what is australia cooking? 

In the Top Food Trends of 2024, Australians have rediscovered their love for home cooking. This shift has led to a greater investment in culinary skills and wellness, with many…

vehicle reliability: age, origin, and cost – what the data reveals 

In a world where time and money are increasingly precious, vehicle reliability isn’t just a preference—it’s a necessity. Understanding how reliability varies across different factors like age and country of…

antimicrobial resistance in australia

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis, and Australia is not immune to its effects. As bacteria evolve to resist antibiotics, common infections become harder to treat, posing significant…

july 2024 VFACTS: toyota rolls on 

July 2024 marked another pivotal month for the Australian automotive industry, with the latest VFACTS sales data revealing significant shifts in consumer preferences and market dynamics. The market again cracked…

SME growth aspirations on hold as revenues slide

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave The latest edition of Fifth Quadrant’s SME Sentiment Tracker shows ongoing downward pressure on revenues, with 40% of businesses reporting lower…

the financial struggles of Australians

Recent data from the Fifth Quadrant Consumer Omnibus highlights the significant financial hardships faced by Australians, with 37% struggling to meet household expenses and 10% unable to pay all their…

the AI-Robotic revolution in business

In an era of rapid technological advancement and shifting market dynamics, businesses across all sectors must prepare for significant transformation and disruption. At a recent industry conference, I presented a…

forecasting the Australian car parc

As the first half of the year ends, it’s a good time to reflect on the changes we’re seeing in the automotive market, and how these might play out through…

powering tomorrow: the renewable energy revolution

Renewable energy is experiencing a transformative phase worldwide, with unprecedented investments, technological advancements, and policy shifts driving the sector forward. As nations strive to meet climate goals and reduce dependency…

june 2024 VFACTS: the beginning of the end? 

Australia has reached the midpoint of the year, and has recorded another strong sales figure, with 119,659 new vehicles delivered in June. We are however seeing conflicting trends across the…

understanding financial hardship in 2024: insights from the ABA banking conference

I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion on financial hardship at the recent Australian Banking Association conference in Melbourne. It was a great panel of experts that…

SME employment data continues to nosedive

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave The latest edition of Fifth Quadrant’s SME Sentiment Tracker shows that the current economic climate for SMEs remains challenging, with 38%…

meet generative AI: the newest member of fifth quadrant

At Fifth Quadrant, we are constantly embracing innovative tools and technologies to enhance our market research capabilities and provide clients with a greater level of insight. Accordingly, we are early…

sneak preview: 2024 corporate fleet insights report

As we prepare to release the 2024 edition of our Corporate Fleet Insights Report, we are excited to share a sneak preview of the high-level themes that are shaping the…

May 2024 VFACTS: spotlight on Hybrids

Australia’s automotive industry has continued its record-breaking new vehicle sales streak, reaching an all-time record high for the month of May. Despite April dipping back below 100,000 sales (97,202), May…

the cost of keeping man’s best friend

Australians love their pets, but as the cost of living continues to rise, many are reconsidering their pet related expenses. According to research commissioned by health fund HCF, 4 in…

Examining the use of pharmaceutical interventions in weight management in Australia 

In our ongoing series on body image and weight issues in Australia, we delve deeper into the use of pharmaceutical interventions like Ozempic and Mounjaro. The GLP1 agonist class of…

health hazards on TikTok: medical experts caution young Australians

With endless information only a swipe up away, young Australians face a crucial challenge in discerning the credibility of health advice on social media platforms like TikTok.  With 51% of young Australians…

from urban streets to outback: ford and toyota’s duel in the australian market

In the Australian automotive landscape, the real showdown isn’t Ford versus Ferrari at Le Mans, but rather Ford versus Toyota—a rivalry that impacts the daily lives of consumers much more…

April 2024 VFACTS: signaling a new normal in Australian auto sales?

April’s automotive sales have broken the streak, dipping below 100,000 units for the first time this year. Despite this dip, the 97,202 new vehicle sales this month still significantly outpace…

cruising into tomorrow: navigating generational shifts in car buying

Another month, another record set in terms of new vehicle sales. While we are seeing some brands moving into a surplus situation, that isn’t yet impacting sales volumes with Australia…

the weight struggle: Australia’s battle with weight management

Overweight and obesity rates have been steadily climbing in Australia, reflecting a broader global trend. According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the proportion of adults…

March 2024 VFACTS: new records set as Australian automotive market booms

In March there were 109,647 new vehicles delivered, continuing the strong start to the calendar year. This marks a significant 12.7% growth on last year’s March number, which just failed…

business insolvencies surge in FY24

Difficult economic conditions in FY24 have triggered a record increase in the number business failures. In February, the number of monthly insolvencies reached its highest level in almost a decade….

cashless confidence: SMEs embrace change with caution

In this third post in the series, we continue our exploration of Australia’s transition towards a cashless society. Following on from our previous posts looking at the overall shift to…

February 2024 VFACTS: records fall as private and fleet buyers remain active

February witnessed another strong month in the Australian automotive market, with 105,023 new vehicles sold (up 21% vs. Feb 2023). Highlights this month include an increase in medium passenger vehicles…

growth expectations surge amid strengthening economic sentiment

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker reveals optimism towards both domestic and international economic conditions has significantly risen. short-term…

automotive vehicle subscriptions on the rise

Vehicle subscription is a growing trend, with providers like Carly recording significant growth as Australians start to shift away from traditional approaches to vehicle ownership. These models bundle up most…

January 2024 VFACTS: utes and hybrids on the rise, Tesla’s sales drop

The Australian automotive market has seen a surge to start off the new year, with 89,782 new vehicles sold in January 2024 (up almost 5,000 units against January 2023). This…

AI mythbusting: can the AI out-predict our team?

In today’s digital era, AI is a vital tool. But, like any new technology, knowing how to get the most out of it and where it falls short is crucial….

5 macro trends driving 2024 new vehicle sales

2023 was a bumper year for the Australian automotive sector, with more than 1.2 million new vehicles delivered. After a strong start, Toyota finished the year strongly to remain the…

‘import’-ant trends in the automotive aftermarket

The Australian automotive industry has recorded healthy new vehicle sales over the last decade, with an average of 1.1 million new vehicles entering the car parc each year (and a…

lower inflation driving SME confidence

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker reveals a slowdown in the annual inflation rate to 4.1% which is alleviating…

beyond the prescription pad: the rise of Generative AI in pharmacy

Generative AI (GenAI) is poised to revolutionise the healthcare sector. It has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, increase healthcare efficiency, and reduce drug development costs. Partnerships with big tech…

VFACTS year in review – EV wrap up

In 2023, Australians set a record by purchasing 87,430 new electric vehicles (EVs), making up approximately 7% of total sales for the year (a remarkable 161% surge from the 33,410…

VFACTS 2023 EoY review – heavy commercial vehicles

The Australian heavy commercial vehicle industry marked a record-breaking year in 2023, data from the VFACTS National Report shows. With an impressive 51,772 new vehicles hitting the roads, this sector…

SMEs eye brighter 2024

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker shows business sentiment is stable, despite challenging market conditions. The Fifth Quadrant Business…

new brands on growth trajectory as Australian EV market expands 

Electric vehicles are on the rise in Australia. With one month remaining in 2023, we’re at 80,446 electric vehicles sold (vs. 28,326 at the same point last year). Based on…

BNPL usage ramps up amidst festive season cost-of-living pressures

As the holiday season approaches, Australians find themselves grappling with the delicate balance of festive spending amidst escalating cost-of-living pressures. For many households, the overwhelming concern of managing tighter budgets…

cost-of-living: are consumers giving up on sustainability?

Australian consumers drastically altered their behaviour during COVID-19, as they were forced to stay at home, and were unable to travel. One benefit of this however was a positive impact…

VFACTS November 2023 – top tier tussle as Ranger reels in Hilux

Huge numbers in the November VFACTS data, with 112,141 new vehicle sales, making it the second highest month of the year behind the EOFY-backed June. This places the 1.2m yearly…

SMEs enter holiday season with growth ambitions amid economic headwinds

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker indicates that in the face of escalating business challenges, a significant number of…

a turning point for healthcare affordability?

Is the Medicare Incentive Increase a Turning Point for Healthcare Affordability in Australia? The Australian Government’s decision to significantly increase the bulk billing incentive for GPs, effective from November 1,…

from bills to bytes: Australia’s cashless conundrum

In this blog, we continue our exploration of Australia’s transition towards a cashless society. Following on from our previous post, this piece unpacks the human element, using data from the…

Is Dr Google becoming a real doctor? how Australian GPs are using LLMs

Large language models (LLMs) are a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can predict, generate and understand human language after being trained on large amounts of data. LLMs are still…

paws for thought: decoding Australian’s pet health spending

Australians love their pets, and it shows in their spending habits. According to the Fifth Quadrant Consumer Tracker, Australian pet owners spend an average of $209 per month on their…

SME outlook still positive, but rising interest rates temper optimism

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker presents a positive picture for SMEs, with profitability and expected revenue continuing to…

VFACTS October new vehicle sales – 1.2m or bust?

Record sales of 106,809 new vehicles in October, putting us over 1m vehicles sold in 2023. Continuing this trend would see the Australian market crack 1.2m vehicles in a single…

understanding ChatGPT usage in Australia: latest fifth quadrant study

Recent research conducted by Fifth Quadrant into Australian consumers show that 70% of the adult population are now aware of ChatGPT, including one quarter that actively engage with the tool….

sustainability success down under: Australian businesses navigating to a greener future

Sustainability is a critical issue for Australian businesses, as the world faces the dual challenges of climate change and resource scarcity. While there’s an ecological imperative here, there’s also a…

VFACTS September new vehicle sales – where are the vehicles on our roads manufactured?

Another great month for dealers in Australia, with 110,702 new vehicles sales recorded. This sets a record for September, putting us in a great position to finish the calendar year…

cashless society: is physical currency gone for good in 2023?

The Australian financial landscape is set for a significant transformation as we increasingly shift away from cash to digital alternatives. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) earlier this…

SME sentiment remains optimistic as profitability recovers

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker provides cause for optimism, with YoY revenues rebounding from an annual low in…

Aussies set to spend $10.5 billion on Christmas gifts despite cost-of-living crisis

‘Tis the season to spend! Despite the cost-of-living crisis dominating headlines throughout the year, Christmas cheer and gift giving fever is inspiring Aussies to dig deep into their pockets and…

car loyalty in flux as consumers consider new makes and models

The Australian new vehicle sales market is in a state of flux, with brands shifting from franchise to agency models, others considering Direct To Consumer (DTC) sales, ongoing vehicle shortages…

fuelling the future: how manufacturing and production are harnessing sustainability to offset soaring energy costs!

Australian businesses across all sectors are facing significant challenges, with rising costs pressures, and ongoing economic uncertainty driving down consumer and business confidence. While we have seen some slight upticks…

environmentally efficient housing in a cost-of-living crisis

With the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy bills continuing to plague our news feeds, it has become even more important for households to find long term solutions to reduce financial…

SME sentiment pops – are we turning a corner?

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the Fifth Quadrant SME Sentiment Tracker suggests confidence is growing in line with falling inflation and the stabilisation of…

VFACTS August new vehicle sales – Toyota roars back to the top

The new vehicle sales recovery continued in August, again setting a new record following July’s outstanding result. In fact, the 109,996 vehicles sold in August is the eighth highest month…

how strategic technology investment fuels growth in Australian SMEs

the critical role of SMEs in Australia’s economy Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) serve as the linchpin of Australia’s economic fabric, responsible for considerable contributions to job creation, innovation, and…

manufacturers set to expand production and drive profit growth

Australian manufacturers expect to increase production volumes in the next 12 months, supported by higher capital expenditure and investment in technology, CommBank report shows. Research conducted by Fifth Quadrant forms…

navigating change: shifting trends in consumer vehicle purchasing​

The latest report from our consumer tracking study focuses on the automotive sector, unpacking purchasing intentions, the vehicles Australians aspire to, and the key factors impacting these choices. In the…

the ChatGPT experiment by fifth quadrant

Over the past six months, Fifth Quadrant has embarked on a unique exploration into the awareness and application of ChatGPT amongst Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Australia. The graphics…

july 2023 new vehicle sales – records set, but where to from here?

July new vehicle sales continued the healthy recovery from persistent supply chain issues, with a 15% year-on-year increase. The 96,859 vehicles sold sets an all-time record for the month, which…

challenging landscape persists as revenues decline

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker offers a snapshot of persistent challenges and a glimmer of hope. The downward trajectory of…

2023 EOFY new vehicle sales review

End of Financial Year is a key marker for both businesses and consumers, as they review performance over the past 12 months, and plan for the year ahead. For the…

digitalising the in-store experience – captivating the customer

The digital experience has become increasingly important for retailers in Australia, as it has the potential to drive revenue growth, increase customer loyalty, and improve operational efficiency. The value of…

interest rates and energy costs drive SME sentiment lower

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker shows both positive and negative indicators in June. Notably, 37% of SME decision-makers reported a…

june 2023 new vehicle sales – tax time winners

June is always a strong month for new vehicles sales, with businesses looking to spend before the closure of the financial year and OEMs running promotions to incentivise consumer buyers…

sales records set in may, but economic uncertainty looms

May new vehicle sales landed at 105,694, increasing 28% from April (82,137 units), and making it the highest selling May in history (up 2,793 units from the previous record set…

39% of SMEs fearful of recession

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker shows that despite slightly softer revenue and profit numbers, SME financial performance was relatively strong…

building brand perceptions over time

The automotive landscape is changing quickly, with existing brands struggling to maintain supply, and new brands entering the Australian market. This can be seen in the sales data, with significant…

digital strategies boosting australian exports

The past few years have served as a vivid reminder of just how tightly woven the international tapestry of trade and interdependence really is. The economic aftershocks of the pandemic…

complete, connected and cloud: the 3 Cs for unlocking your data

Data is an organisation’s most valuable asset in today’s world, but without the means to harness its potential, many organisations are missing out on the opportunities it presents. Understanding how…

SMEs report stronger financials but recruitment activity stalls

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker shows a significant improvement in financial performance in April 2023, following a slow start to the…

april 2023 new vehicle sales – what happened to the hybrids?

April new vehicle sales landed at 82,137 units, taking a dip from March (97,251 units), but still well up on April 2022 (81,065 units). This result is generally in line…

research shows a worrying lack of action towards responsible AI

Australia risks falling behind on Artificial Intelligence (AI), with new research revealing that Australian businesses are slow to develop and use the technology responsibly. Key statistics: Now in its second…

the evolving nature of vehicle ownership

“Car ownership is dead! The future is shared!” “No more need for new cars sitting in dealership showrooms with bows on…” We regularly see articles expressing this sentiment, particularly in…

the future of aussie utes: will EVs take the wheel?

It is no secret that Aussies love utes. Whether it’s work or play, towing or off-roading, Australians love a car that can do it all. What does that mean in…

march 2023 new vehicle sales – a changing of the guard?

Monthly vehicle sales increased in March, up 12% from February as EVs and Chinese manufacturers continued their strong start to 2023. Despite this, it was still the weakest March in…

SMEs remain resilient despite fears of recession

Updates to this research are published monthly. View previous wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker shows that despite significant challenges, all key performance indicators ticked upwards in March. One quarter…

running a successful car clinic

In this explainer article we explore Car Clinics. breaking out the key steps involved, what it takes to ensure smooth operations on the day, and how we deliver robust insights…

purposeful partnerships: a change for the better

Brand sponsorships are common in today’s world, but more than two years of riding the pandemic tidal wave has dramatically changed the landscape. Sports and entertainment cancellations worldwide meant marketers…

dealership servicing in a changing world

The world of the automotive dealership is changing. Electric vehicles are driving significant market change, with many OEMs also using this as a trigger to review franchise arrangements or shift…

february 2023 new vehicle sales – EV growth and changes within LCVs

Another steady month of new vehicle sales in February sets 2023 up for a strong year. The February VFACTS numbers highlight the excitement around EVs (and the impact they’re having…

customer journey mapping in a post-pandemic world

For a Customer Experience Leader, the number one goal is putting the customer at the centre of everything that the organisation does, through decision making, policy making and product design,…

tipping point for SMEs as sentiment falls significantly

Updates to this research are published monthly. View Previous Wave. The latest wave of the SME Sentiment Tracker shows after a long road back and a strong Christmas period, SME revenue, profit and…

heavy commercial vehicle sales in australia – 2022 year in review

Australian Heavy Commercial vehicle sales are booming, with a record result in 2022 of almost 50,000 new trucks and buses sold. This eclipsed 2021 by more than 4,000 vehicles (up…

2022 australian new vehicle sales: year in review

As we conclude yet another year, it’s a good time to reflect on how the automotive market has fared. While 2022 was another year of global challenges, we did see…