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Holiday season Stories - Page 2

Kiwi Stories

Holiday season stories

Global Stories

Holiday season stories

US holiday online sales hit record on mobiles & AI
Gaming

US holiday online sales hit record on mobiles & AI

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.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Thu, 8th Jan 2026
AI, circular retail & data to reshape global shopping
Customer Experience

AI, circular retail & data to reshape global shopping

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

By Catherine Knowles • 5 min read • Wed, 7th Jan 2026
New ransomware methods emerge: ClickFix & group alliances
Malware

New ransomware methods emerge: ClickFix & group alliances

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

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Mon, 29th Dec 2025
Navigating the holiday shipping rush: How SMBs can turn freight into a competitive advantage
Data Analytics

Navigating the holiday shipping rush: How SMBs can turn freight into a competitive advantage

SMBs battling holiday shipping chaos can turn freight into a strategic edge with smarter tech, clearer pricing and centralised partners.

By Carmit Glik • 4 min read • Wed, 24th Dec 2025
AI, online growth drive 5% rise in Aussie Xmas spend
Data Protection

AI, online growth drive 5% rise in Aussie Xmas spend

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

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Tue, 23rd Dec 2025
Retailers hit by 'Christmas Returns Hangover' surge
Unified Communications

Retailers hit by 'Christmas Returns Hangover' surge

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

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Wed, 17th Dec 2025
Understanding the holiday shopper: A retailer's guide to winning the season
Customer Experience

Understanding the holiday shopper: A retailer's guide to winning the season

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

By Brendan Straw • 5 min read • Tue, 16th Dec 2025
Dear Santa - A Christmas wishlist for crypto owners (2025 edition)
Crypto

Dear Santa - A Christmas wishlist for crypto owners (2025 edition)

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

By Paul Quickenden • 4 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025
AI & TikTok trends reshape Kiwi Christmas cooking
Artificial Intelligence

AI & TikTok trends reshape Kiwi Christmas cooking

TikTok trends, AI tools and global flavours are transforming Kiwi Christmas menus, as Appetise data shows earlier, budget-savvy festive planning.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Wed, 10th Dec 2025
Softonic issues guide to avoid scams in festive sales
Firewalls

Softonic issues guide to avoid scams in festive sales

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

By Kaleah Salmon • 5 min read • Tue, 9th Dec 2025
Friendly fraud rise during Cyber Week threatens retail profits
Online shopping

Friendly fraud rise during Cyber Week threatens retail profits

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.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Fri, 5th Dec 2025

Stories from Other Regions

Holiday season stories

UK retailers face GBP £1.05bn hit from gift returns
Digital Transformation

UK retailers face GBP £1.05bn hit from gift returns

UK retailers brace for a GBP £1.05bn blow from 52 million post-Christmas gift returns, as hybrid shopping and fashion fit issues drive costs.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 29th Dec 2025
Qantas to serve 196,000 Cooee Indigenous Christmas cookies
Supply Chain

Qantas to serve 196,000 Cooee Indigenous Christmas cookies

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

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Tue, 23rd Dec 2025
Q&A: How AI helps CX teams stay resilient through the holiday rush
Unified Communications

Q&A: How AI helps CX teams stay resilient through the holiday rush

AI is transforming Christmas CX from chaotic surge to controlled service, helping teams stay resilient, protect wellbeing and meet soaring demand.

By Simon Hayward • 4 min read • Tue, 16th Dec 2025
Most UK parents back plans to cap kids' social media use
Gaming

Most UK parents back plans to cap kids' social media use

Two thirds of UK parents back government plans to cap children's social media at two hours a day, new Uswitch research suggests.

By Shannon Williams • 5 min read • Fri, 12th Dec 2025
Festive-season cyber fraud surges as shoppers seek discounts
Multi-factor authentication

Festive-season cyber fraud surges as shoppers seek discounts

Festive-season cyber fraud is surging across India, with Karnataka alone reporting losses above INR ₹2,000 crores, experts warn.

By Catherine Knowles • 5 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025
Intel unveils Canada laptop guide with game giveaway
Gaming

Intel unveils Canada laptop guide with game giveaway

Intel launches a Canada laptop guide from CAD $399.99 to CAD $2,199.99, bundling select gaming models with a free blockbuster PC title.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Wed, 10th Dec 2025