Holiday season stories

Good Drinks taps Macquarie Telecom for new SASE network to curb peak-season outages and bolster cyber security across its national operations.

Wishlist app Sortd rides holiday boom with AUD $8m in sales, 96% user growth and revenue up more than 600% across peak Q4 trading.

DigiCert warns Q4 internet traffic stayed high as DDoS and app-layer attacks grew longer and more intense, eroding traditional peak seasons.

Festive food, drink and dining out delivered a surprise December spending lift, as households splurged ahead of Christmas gatherings.

Adobe says generative AI referrals to retailers jumped nearly 700% over the 2025 holidays, driving longer visits and stronger conversions.

Retailers urged to brace for early-year spike in chargebacks as mobile shopping and buy now, pay later fuel record US holiday spend.

Black Friday still delivered the peak online surge, but AI-driven search stretched shopping demand across a longer November window.

AI notebook prices across Europe have slumped by a third, pushing the tech into the mainstream as retailers juggle volume against margins.

US holiday online sales hit a record USD $257.8 billion as shoppers shifted to mobiles, Buy Now Pay Later and generative AI search tools.

AI agents, circular retail and tighter rules will upend shopping by 2026, Akeneo warns, as poor product data threatens brand visibility.

Ransomware attacks dipped in November, but ClickFix techniques and alliances between groups like Qilin and CL0P drove fresh risks.

AI tools and online deals help drive a 5% rise in Australian Christmas retail spending, with discount and department stores surging.

Qantas will serve 196,000 allergen-friendly Indigenous Cooee Christmas cookies, giving the native superfoods brand major national exposure.

Retailers brace for a “Christmas Returns Hangover” as eDesk reports a 45% spike in return requests from 26 December, denting profits.

Australian holiday shoppers are spending strategically, forcing retailers to sharpen promotions, personalise offers and boost in-store experience.

Crypto fans pen a festive wishlist to Santa, hoping 2026 brings calmer markets, clearer rules and fewer awkward family debates.

Softonic issues festive-season guide warning of rising scams in fake shops, apps and delivery messages as online bargain hunting surges.

US retailers face rising friendly fraud during Cyber Week as 77% of shoppers dispute charges via banks, threatening profits amid USD $43.7bn online spend.

Over half of Australians have received unwanted Christmas gifts, with 76% struggling to choose suitable presents each festive season, new research reveals.

The holiday rush is a make-or-break moment for Australia's online retailers.