Holiday season stories

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.

Canadian businesses can boost holiday sales by combining digital with impactful print marketing like signage and personalised gifts to stand out locally.

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

New Zealand retailers risk losing NZD $12 billion this peak season as almost half of consumers shun businesses after one bad experience.

eCommerce platforms face rising AI-driven cyber threats ahead of 2025 holidays as attackers exploit vulnerabilities and stolen credentials for fraud.

Seventy percent of Australians plan to shop online this holiday season, with AI tools and Buy Now, Pay Later options driving a digital surge in sales.

Young Australians are most at risk as holiday online shopping scams surge, with Gen Z and Millennials more likely to engage in risky cyber behaviours this season.

Australian holiday spending is set to rise 18% to AUD $969 per shopper, driven by price hikes and stress, with many using AI to aid gift buying this season.

US banks boost AI spending to combat rising check fraud, linked to USD $12.5 billion loss, ahead of the holiday season peak in fraudulent activities.

Over half of Australians say online ads on shared devices have spoiled holiday surprises, dimming the Christmas magic for many this season.

digiDirect launches Black Friday Clickathon with up to 50% off cameras, computers and mobile devices across major brands like Sony, Canon and Apple.

Logitech and ghd launch personalised tech and beauty gifts in New Zealand, from portable speakers to advanced hair stylers, ideal for the holiday season.

Community-led growth is boosting app success in APAC this holiday season, offering cost-efficient gains amid rising mobile adoption and tighter budgets.

Holiday online sales in the US are set to exceed USD $250bn in 2025, but rising disputes and friendly fraud threaten retailers' profits this season.

For the first time, Cyber Monday has surpassed Black Friday in UK online sales, reflecting shoppers’ shift towards value-driven and personalised purchases amid inflation.

Sandisk launches new Creator and WD_BLACK storage devices, catering to content creators, gamers, and adventurers ahead of the festive season.

Kiwis face a surge in SMS scams this holiday season, with fraudsters targeting bank details through fake delivery alerts and urgent messages.

AI, social media, and flexible payments like BNPL will shape festive shopping as 69% of consumers trust AI to assist their Black Friday and holiday purchases.

UK tech retail sales rose 5.4% in Q3 2025, outpacing national retail growth but lagging behind Europe's 21% surge in the sector.