Social media tactics are the top lever Australian retail entrepreneurs are employing to attract and retain customers. This is according to new data from more than 13,000 owners of retail businesses on Shopify, including over 800 from Australia, exploring the priorities, challenges and opportunities that merchants are seeing ahead of the peak holiday sales season.

These strategies emerge as the current economic climate and its impact on consumer spending remain top-of-mind for retail entrepreneurs, with local retail business owners the second most concerned globally about consumer spending levels (77%)  behind Spain (83%), and the most concerned about interest rates (66%). When it comes to Black Friday/Cyber Monday and the holiday season,  33% of Australian retail entrepreneurs say they are optimistic about the upcoming peak sales season compared to 35% who are less optimistic. Toys & Games merchants were found to have the most positive holiday outlook (42% optimistic) compared to other categories and are equal first when it comes to business preparedness (20% prepared) alongside Food and Beverage business owners. 

But while economic challenges continue to be a concern for Australian retail entrepreneurs, the data also highlights the resilience of Australian businesses and their drive to adapt and innovate to meet the needs of today’s consumers.

Strategies for navigating the peak holiday season

According to the research, Australian retailers are focusing on several key strategies for their peak season plans:

• Expanding into new product areas (31%)
• Improving ROI on marketing spend (30%)
• Reducing operating cost (27%)
• Expanding into new sales channels (22%) 

When it comes to attracting and retaining customers, social media-related strategies feature prominently: 

• 70% of retail business owners said they will prioritise social media engagement for customer retention, followed by providing exclusive offers and promotions (42%) and enhancing customer service (38%). 
• Organic social media content (47%) and paid advertisements on social media (32%) ranked as the top two strategies for attracting new customers, with a substantial 72% of respondents citing strategies related to social media, affiliate marketing and influencer partnerships overall. 
• 63% of retail business owners said they will be leveraging social media platforms for direct sales.

Cost of living concerns continue to impact spending habits 

Unsurprisingly, the rising cost of living and inflationary pressures continue to be the driving factors behind consumer habits, which is a key concern for merchants: 

• 44% of Aussie retail business owners have noticed an interest in discounts and 43% have noticed an increase in price sensitivity.
• Over half (51%) of retail entrepreneurs have noticed a decrease in discretionary spending, 50% cited a decrease in frequency of spend and 36% noted a decrease in average order value.
• The top concerns cited by Australian business owners are consumer spending levels (77%), inflation (76%) and local economic conditions (71%). 

As a result, merchants are revisiting their pricing strategies, targeting new audiences, and introducing compelling new offers to remain competitive:

• 48% of business owners said that due to changing consumer behaviour, they are adjusting pricing strategies to remain competitive, while 46% are increasing promotional activities to boost sales. 
• 37% of retail entrepreneurs are investing more in digital marketing to reach broader audiences
• 28% of retail business owners are shifting focus to more cost-effective products
• 24% are redesigning their marketing messages to emphasise value and affordability.  

Optimism in technology sparks AI utilisation

Businesses are also continuing to strive to create efficiencies within their operations in the lead-up to the peak sales period, which is sparking an uptick in AI use:

• Over half (53%) reported using AI to generate content, from product descriptions to blogs and social media captions, with Health & Beauty and Food & Beverage retailers reigning as the top industries to use AI for this function (both 59%).
• AI is being used to enhance product imagery (37%) such as background removal, image enhancement, and virtual try-ons, most primarily by Toys & Games retailers (42%). 
• AI is being used to drive marketing initiatives (35%) such as product recommendations, social advertising, campaigns, SEO, and customer targeting, most primarily by Toys & Games retailers (40%).
• A quarter of Aussie retail entrepreneurs also reported using AI to help with data analysis and insights, and 24% use AI to automate and streamline business processes. 
• The top industries embracing Shopify’s AI functionality are:
  • Toys & Games (31%)
  • Baby & Toddler (23%)
  • Arts & Entertainment (21%)

Shaun Broughton, Managing Director, APAC at Shopify comments: “As Australian entrepreneurs navigate the current economic climate ahead of the holiday season, it is crucial that they not only deepen their engagement on social media — where their customers spend significant time — but also remain agile in responding to growing price sensitivities. Investing in technologies like AI that drive greater efficiencies while reducing costs, has also emerged as a valuable strategy for improving business readiness.” 

“Black Friday/Cyber Monday and the broader holiday season present a valuable opportunity for businesses to explore new initiatives and strategies that can maximise reach and help them stand out. Although venturing into new markets or adopting new technologies can be daunting, it is important to think creatively and stay forward-focused,”said Shaun. 

Officeworks has announced the launch of “Officeworks for Business,” designed to support and provide a convenient solution to businesses nationwide. 

Tailored to meet the needs of today’s business environment, Officeworks for Business provides exclusive value and benefits to both new and existing business customers. Businesses, regardless of size, can save 5% on hundreds of business essentials, receive 30 days to pay to help stay on top of their cashflow and access a range of other exclusive offers both in store and online.  

Sarah Hunter, Managing Director of Officeworks, commented, “Officeworks for Business provides access to exclusive pricing and benefits on the widest range of products, including​ a​ 15% off introductory offer on four of our most popular copy paper lines. We remain focused on meeting the changing needs of our community as digitisation is transforming the way our business customers work, learn, create and connect. We are truly focused on helping our business customers make bigger things happen. 

Sarah Hunter added, “We understand the challenges that businesses face, especially small businesses during these inflationary times, and with Officeworks for Business, we aim to offer more than just products. Whether a local gym, not-for-profit, retailer or medical centre this is a complete support system that helps them save time, money and receive in-person personalised support to ensure they can focus their resources on what matters most.”  

Officeworks for Business comes at a time when SMEs are experiencing financial pressures with data showing:  

• Credit reporting firm illion finds that the number of small businesses at risk of collapse has jumped by 20 per cent in a year. 

• In 2023, the Australian Bureau of Statistics identified about 14.0% or 356,216 Australian businesses ‘exited’, simply closed. 

Professor of Consumer Behaviour and Retail Marketing, Gary Mortimer said, “Australian businesses, particularly sole-operator and small businesses have been doing it tough for many years, so such a program can alleviate some of the costs for operators. In particular, offers that include business discounts, free delivery and same-day printing certainly responds to the financial and operational pressure’s businesses are facing today. 

“Business buyers are also actively seeking products that cause minimal environmental harm – businesses must embrace sustainability practices. This new Officeworks for Business program offers guided buying and sustainable initiatives, which takes the ‘guesswork’ out for businesses, helps them attain their sustainability goals and meet their customers’ demands,” Professor Gary Mortimer added.  

Officeworks for Business reinforces the brands commitment to putting the community at the forefront of their operations and being a vital partner to small to medium-sized businesses.  

• Officeworks serves over 260,000 business customers, 92% of those are small medium enterprises (SMEs) 

• Officeworks provide approved access to credit to more than 100,000 businesses.  

• Where a customer faces financial hardship, Officeworks will work with the customer to put payment arrangements in place. 

Community support for SMEs: 

• Many small businesses rely on Officeworks support to start, run and grow their operations.  

• With dedicated assistance from the Officeworks local community engagement team, small business customers remain their top priority and a key long-term commitment. Throughout the year, Officeworks has provided in-kind support to 4,826 small businesses, helping provide relief as cost-of-living pressures increase.  

• Additionally, Officeworks store teams are encouraged and measured on the connections they create in their local communities. By engaging with small businesses, local schools, community groups and not-for-profit organisations, Officeworks can leverage its scale to support as many small businesses as possible.  

• Since FY2020, Officeworks has supported 19,000 small businesses, with the aim to achieve 24,000 small businesses by 2025. The aim is to help these businesses start, run, grow and thrive in the years ahead.   

Future advancements of the program are still in the works, with the business working towards launching more service additions and innovative solutions across its 170 nationwide store locations. Positioned to be a one-stop shop and convenient destination for all, the launch of Officeworks for Business reflects the retailer’s ongoing commitment to helping businesses of all sizes thrive. It offers low prices, the widest range of products, and the essential services customers need to manage both their households and businesses. 

Creating an account is simple—any customer with an ABN, regardless of their size or spending with Officeworks, can sign up. Existing Officeworks Business Account holders will also automatically gain access to the new offers, excluding those with existing, negotiated business pricing.  

• To sign up for Officeworks for Business, click here.  

Fiverr International Ltd, the company that is changing how the world works together, has released its latest data revealing how Aussie businesses surveyed are gearing up to tackle an unpredictable holiday shopping season. Fiverr conducted a nationwide survey of 504 consumers and 500 small-to-medium business leaders across Australia in partnership with Censuswide. The findings highlight significant shifts in marketing strategies among Australian businesses, driven by evolving privacy laws, economic pressures, and changing consumer priorities. 

Privacy Laws Prompt a Shift Away from Targeted Advertising

With impending privacy regulations set to align with Europe’s stringent GDPR laws, 24.8% of medium-sized businesses surveyed are scaling back on targeted advertising. This strategic shift prioritises compliance and long-term sustainability over traditional data-driven marketing methods.

“The upcoming privacy regulations are really pushing businesses, especially mid-sized ones, to rethink how they approach advertising,” said Gali Arnon, Chief Business Officer at Fiverr. “With the rising costs and risks tied to data-driven advertising, along with the new challenges around consent management, companies are being driven to shift toward more sustainable and privacy-compliant marketing strategies. As the definition of personal information broadens and consent rules tighten, brands will have to find new ways to connect with their audiences.” 

Prioritising Customer Experience and Operational Efficiency

Rather than simply cutting costs, businesses are reallocating their budgets toward enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. Notably, 41.8% of Australian companies surveyed are investing in AI across the customer journey, while 40.8% are optimising logistics and offering faster shipping options. Furthermore, 39.8% are turning to content creation and influencer partnerships to build direct, owned channels, reducing reliance on traditional advertising methods.

AI adoption is accelerating, with 68.6% of respondents integrating AI into their operations. This trend is especially pronounced in e-commerce, where 84.2% of businesses now use AI, particularly for chatbots and inventory management, to better meet consumer demands.

Recruitment Trends for the Holiday Season

The research also highlights strategic workforce planning among SMEs for the upcoming holiday season. With 42.8% of SME owners surveyed hiring full-time or part-time staff and 40.2% bringing on seasonal employees, the retail sector is preparing to meet the festive rush. Additionally, 40% of businesses are leveraging freelance talent for added flexibility, and 6.8% are turning to AI tools as an alternative to expanding their teams. 

Surviving the ‘Amazon Effect’ 

Small and medium-sized businesses are grappling with challenges as they compete with larger eCommerce brands like Shein, Amazon and Temu. These giants have the financial resources to weather economic downturns, making it difficult for SMBs to keep pace, especially with rising labour costs, inflation, and shrinking sales. Competition from these larger e-commerce brands is a major concern for 44.60% of SMBs surveyed, highlighting the immense pressure they face from well-resourced competitors. 

“For SMBs, the challenge is not just how to compete, but how to outmanoeuvre competitors with far deeper pockets. It’s a critical time for businesses to invest strategically, ensuring every dollar spent contributes to long-term growth and customer loyalty,” added Ms. Arnon.

Affordability Takes Precedence Over Sustainability

Another key finding from the research is the shift in consumer priorities, with affordability now outweighing sustainability in purchase decisions. As economic pressures mount, 50.79% of respondents prioritise good deals, and 41% value free shipping, particularly among women. While these practical concerns dominate, a notable 7.14% still consider sustainable products, and 7.74% prioritise ethical brands, indicating that despite the focus on affordability, a segment of consumers continues to value sustainability and ethics in their choices.

Methodology

Global Consumer Research: The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,539 nationally representative consumers across the USA, UK, Germany, France, and Australia. The data was collected between 26.07.2024 – 30.07.2024. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

Global Business Research: The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,508 SME owners/leaders (aged 18+) in Retail or E-commerce across the USA, UK, France, Germany and Australia (excluding sole traders). The data was collected between 27.07.2024 – 05.08.2024. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

Gen™, a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety with a family of brands, Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender and CCleaner, has released the Q2/2024 Gen Threat Report. The report spotlights the most notable cyberattacks targeting consumers from April to June 2024.

Gen experts warn that it is more important than ever to stay vigilant as cybercriminals increasingly use generative AI to create sophisticated scams using voices, images and videos to make their schemes more convincing. Attackers are using celebrities, global events, and brands as shiny lures. And as more people find themselves navigating economic hardships, the promise of easy money through phony investments, cryptocurrency giveaways and part-time job offers has also become a timely hook for scammers preying upon unsuspecting victims seeking financial security.  

“We continue to see cybercriminals expand their toolkits with even more uses of AI to strengthen their attacks,” said Siggi Stefnisson, Chief Technology Officer at Gen.

“Scammers are cunning and adept at exploiting what is most likely to be on consumers’ minds – whether it has to do with elections, love or financial security. Now with AI and other new tech, their schemes are more sophisticated and convincing than ever before. We urge consumers to stay informed and alert. We will continue to keep a watchful eye on the latest threats and provide the latest knowledge and tools needed to be safer despite the evolving threat landscape.” 

Gen has one of the world’s largest consumer Cyber Safety networks protecting people around the globe against advanced online threats. Throughout Q2, Gen Cyber Safety brands blocked over one billion unique attacks each month, up 46% compared to last year. Interestingly, a staggering 95% of attacks happen while people use their browser and surf the web. In addition to blocking threats directly as part of our customers’ products and services, Gen researchers discovered and reported security vulnerabilities so that they could be patched by other companies, helping protect people from further attacks.  

Gen experts shared some of the most prevalent threats to watch for based on this quarter’s findings: 

Scammers’ Playbook: New and Revamped Tactics 

The accessibility and rise of AI allow cybercriminals to add a modern twist to their old tricks to lure more victims. We have seen bad actors using deepfakes of celebrities to promote fake cryptocurrency investment schemes, and now, scammers are targeting widely publicized events that will be broadcast live to draw a large audience.

For example, recently, scam group CryptoCore lured victims with highly convincing deepfakes of official events disseminated on compromised YouTube accounts and used QR codes to direct victims to fake crypto giveaway campaigns, stealing $5 million. During the SpaceX Starship integrated flight test (IFT-4) in June, nearly 50 YouTube accounts were hijacked, and the campaign resulted in 500 transactions amounting to a total value of $1.4 million. Gen products helped protect thousands of people from this threat in Q2, with the largest amounts in the US, UK, Brazil and Germany.

Amid challenging economic conditions, scammers are capitalizing on consumers’ needs with part-time job scams that promise quick money by completing simple tasks, like promoting goods on social media. Once trust is established, the scammers convince their victim to send them money so they can steal it. These scams have now evolved from text-based interactions on Telegram to more sophisticated AI-generated voice communications, adding a whole new layer of deception and realism. 

This quarter saw the revival of the classic antivirus scam that was first popular in the late 2000s, when cybercriminals were making millions of dollars by selling fake antivirus products. Nowadays, cybercriminals deploy aggressive pop-up alerts that mimic real antivirus programs, often claiming the computer is infected to urge immediate action. These fake alerts abuse the Windows notification system to appear as credible system messages to scare the person into purchasing antivirus software so the scammers can earn commissions through third-party referral programs.  

Digital Identity Theft: The New Gold Rush 

As large-scale company breaches seemingly become the norm in 2024, cybercriminals turn an eye toward stealing digital identities. Attackers are using direct methods such as Information Stealers (InfoStealers) and Mobile Bankers, going beyond buying data on the Dark Web to snap up consumers’ valuable personal information. 

InfoStealers breach devices to steal login details, session cookies, passwords and financial information. While InfoStealers saw a slight decline in Q2/2024, notable malware families continue to grow, with the most dominant AgentTesla increasing its market share by 11 %. 

Mobile bankers, on the other hand, specifically target mobile devices to steal banking details, cryptocurrency wallets, and instant payments credentials. In Q2/2024, Bankers such as TeaBot, disguised as a PDF reader, targeted Revolut customers. Meanwhile, spyware threats such as XploitSpy and AridSpy are sneaking onto the PlayStore, stealing files and monitoring users through their cameras and microphones.  

Norton LifeLock provides a 12-step guide to help people if they believe their identity may have been compromised.  

On the Rise: Consumer Ransomware 

Consumers remain an attractive target for ransomware as they often have less protection in place than large companies. According to Gen telemetry, there was a 24% rise quarter over quarter in consumer ransomware attacks in Q2/2024. India saw a staggering 379% increase, followed by notable spikes in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

A popular delivery technique is to hide ransomware payload in pirated content. Even though some operators of major ransomware gangs like LockBit have been brought to justice in the last quarter, Gen urges consumers to take precautions to keep their data safe, such as doing regular back-ups. 

Gen researchers collaborate with governments across the globe to combat ransomware by providing free decryption tools for victims, and most recently released the Avast DoNex Ransomware Decryptor. 

To read the full Q2/2024 Gen Threat Report, visit: https://www.gendigital.com/blog/news/innovation/q2-2024-threat-report

ASUS has announced the launch of its latest Intel-powered laptop, the ASUS Zenbook S 14 in Australia & New Zealand to complete their 2024 AI PC lineup. The new laptop offers, ‘New Zen’ with Superior AI, powered by the Intel^® Core^™ Ultra 7 processor (Series 2), building upon ASUS’ mission of offering AI-powered models for all, across students, professionals, and creatives. 

The Zenbook S 14 is a part of ASUS’ latest wave of AI products and continues its pursuit to make premium technology available to every Australian. The company is continuing to drive the AI revolution in the PC industry forward by bringing the industry’s most comprehensive AI PC lineup to market. With this latest range of AI PCs, ASUS continues to focus on bringing top-tier performance, technologies and features to allow Australians to create, work and learn smarter than before.

Bradley Howe, Head of Consumer, Systems Business Group, ASUS Australia, said: “We’re excited to collaborate with Intel on the launch of the new ASUS Zenbook S 14. This device offers quick access to AI experiences and is our thinnest, lightest and most powerful PC yet. We wanted to create a device for those looking to combine performance with aesthetics that will last throughout the day also making this our longest-lasting PC with up to 27 hours of battery life.”

Dino Strkljevic, Regional Director – AI PC, CCG Category Sales, APJ & India, Intel, said: “Intel, together with ASUS, are redefining the consumer and commercial computing experience. With Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2), the new ASUS Zenbook S 14 will offer unparalleled speed, enhanced graphics, long battery life, substantial security features, and unmatched AI capabilities. These devices will provide a new benchmark for user experience, especially for productivity and creativity.”

Fusion of Tech & Design

Providing both function and aesthetic, the Zenbook S 14 comes in Zumia Grey and its design is built with high-tech Ceramic, Ceraluminum™. Ceraluminum™ uses the same high-tech luxury material and offers the best of both worlds: the lightness and hardness of ceramic along with the malleability of metal–at just 1.1cm thin and 1.2 kg light–making it ASUS’ slimmest 14” AI PC. This industry‑first innovation, using the ceramisation process, through plasma electrolytic oxidation, joins these two materials with incredible strength, offering unmatched scratch resistance and longevity. 

Our C part employs the Unibody integrated moulding process, which is meticulously crafted with precise CNC machining. The finely carved heat dissipation perforations deliver a fusion of technological artistry as the users open their laptops. 

Drawing inspiration from natural structure, ASUS designers reimagined the device’s air vents, with the new 3D-lattice ventilation grille design. This innovative design ensures a seamless flow of air and better heat dissipation.

The latest ASUS Enlarged touchpad is engineered to enable an unrivalled input experience that’s in harmony with how you move, feel and scroll. With a 20% noise reduction on the touchpad than previous ASUS generations, the ASUS 2024 new touchpad will adopt the technology of silence; providing users with a quiet environment when everyone uses the laptop and delivering a comfortable, quiet, and responsive clicking experience.

More Powerful Featuring AI 

Despite its ultra-slim form factor, the Zenbook S 14 delivers powerful performance with its Intel^® Core^™ Ultra 7 processor (Series 2), achieving 47 NPU TOPS and offering the newest Intel AI experiences. It’s also an Intel® Evo™ laptop with instant wake-up, a fast WiFi connection, and high battery efficiency to help keep you productive throughout your day. We shorten the distances between RAMs and CPU, providing various benefits such as high-bandwidth RAM: up to 8,533 MHz memory frequency (lower latency speed), reduced device footprint allows lower battery consumption, and a reduction of the motherboard core area, with more space for the dual fan and vapour chamber thermal module. 

With a dedicated Copilot Key for more AI Exploration users can have easy access to the Copilot with no connectivity required which helps to save power. AI Experiences such as Co-Create to generate pictures and live captions are a touch away to help make AI access easy for the everyday Australian.  

The Zenbook S 14 also features the ASUS-exclusive StoryCube and MuseTree apps, enabling smarter and more streamlined creative workflows. StoryCube is a smart, convenient, and powerful digital asset-management tool with AI assistance for scene categorisation and clip generation, allowing users to manage and export their file libraries effortlessly. MuseTree transforms inspiration into imagery swiftly, enabling users to generate more creativity through simple graphical interactions while intelligently storing and managing their ideas

Level Up Your Laptop: Unlock the Power Within!

Although Zenbook S 14 is unbelievably compact, it packs in all the connections you need. The two ultrafast Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C® ports support fast charging, 4K external displays, and up to 40 Gbps7 data transfers. USB-C® Easy Charge support also means that your Zenbook S 14 can be used with a wide range of standard 5-20V USB-C® chargers. You can enjoy ultrafast charging with any PD (Power Delivery) certified charger, including the 65-watt fast-charge adapter supplied with Zenbook S 14, or juice up your device on the go with airline chargers, portable chargers or power banks!

There’s no need to panic if power outlets are in short supply: Zenbook S 14’s long-lasting up to 27 hours² battery can keep you productive for longer. And when it’s time to charge, there’s no need to stop — with fast charging you can quickly top it up. Experience enhanced laptop performance and reliability through our exclusive battery technology. It extends your battery’s life, increasing charging cycles from 1000 to 1200 in rigorous testing. This ensures your laptop serves you for an extended period, delivering long-lasting benefits. 

The stunning 3K OLED display on Zenbook S 14 keeps every incredible moment detailed and ultra-vivid. ASUS OLED display laptops come with a best-in-class colour gamut. They reproduce colours with superb real-life accuracy for professional-grade visuals, making it perfect for professional and creative work, or anyone who simply wants to enjoy the very best colour fidelity. An OLED display, due to the nature of the special organic light-emitting compounds it uses, reduces harmful blue light by up to 70% compared to LCDs, making it gentle on your eyes. 

Pantone certification simplifies colour management for image creators, ensuring consistent colour performance from concept to final product. With Dolby Vision, creators achieve greater colour depth, contrast, and a rich colour gamut, unlocking HDR’s full potential for captivating visuals in movies, series, and games.

Enjoy your favourite entertainment with breathtakingly realistic sounds that move around you. Zenbook S 14 has a Dolby Atmos® stereo sound system that’s also Harman Kardon certified, with 4 Smart Amplifiers.

¹Copilot + PC experiences are coming. Requires free updates available starting late November 2024. Timing varies by device and region. See aka.ms/copilotpcs
² Local 1080P Video Playback 

Availability & Pricing

In a huge win for regional Australia, Vodafone is boosting its mobile network to more than one million square kilometres, bringing new competition, choice and its award[1]winning mobile plans to the bush for the first time.

The expansion of its mobile network is expected to be switched on in early 2025 after the ACCC today cleared Vodafone’s ground-breaking regional network sharing deal with Optus to increase its network coverage to 98.4 per cent of the Australian population.

When the network is switched on, Vodafone will more than double the size of its mobile network – from around 400,000 square kilometres to around 1,000,000 square kilometres – across Australia, bringing its mobile services to popular holiday destinations and regional hotspots it has never been before.

“This is a huge win for customers and regional Australia, with our award-winning mobile services soon to be available in thousands of holiday destinations and regional communities across the country,” said Kieren Cooney, Vodafone Group Executive, Consumer.

“This will be a game-changer for the millions of Australians in our cities and regions who want great value and mobile coverage when travelling to all the places we love to visit.

“With this network expansion we will break the mobile duopoly that has limited customer choice in regional Australia for too long. We’ve listened to our customers and are excited to say Vodafone’s coming to town.”

The new national Vodafone network means tourists and regional communities will have more choice when it comes to seeking great value mobile deals, with thousands of places set to be served by the Vodafone network.

Places like Cloncurry and Thursday Island in Queensland; Lachlan in Tasmania and Wattle Flat in New South Wales will have 4G and later, 5G connectivity on the Vodafone network for this first time. Destinations including Cobar and Lightning Ridge in New South Wales; Coober Pedy, and Tumby Bay in South Australia; and Coral Bay and Cape Range National Park in Western Australia will go from 3G to 4G.

Vodafone’s millions of retail customers will benefit from access to the additional regional 4G coverage when it is expected to be switched on in early 2025. The national network will also deliver 5G services to Vodafone’s regional customers where available, as the cutting-edge mobile technology continues to be rolled out across Australia.

On Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 of September at the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle, Sydney, Sony will host the first-ever Scene Tradeshow focusing on its digital imaging products and technology.

The one-of-a-kind event will feature a lineup of guest speakers, product showcases and a touch-and-try environment, offering an immersive experience for all attendees. The Scene Tradeshow is an expo-style event open to the public, suitable for all general camera hobbyists and enthusiasts, students, working professionals, or even business owners in the photography, filmmaking or content creation space.

The event is an ideal place to learn more about Sony digital imaging cameras and lenses and to be inspired by the immense photographic and film making talent across Australia and New Zealand.

The Scene Tradeshow event is an extension of Scene, Sony’s online event hosting platform that connects creators, photographers, filmmakers and digital imaging enthusiasts via opportunities to expand creative imagination, join photo walks, learn about capturing sequences for films and upgrade skills with advanced workshops.

The Scene Tradeshow will be made up of a number of interactive zones for visitors to explore including a Photography Zone, Cinema Zone, Play Zone, an image gallery for Sony’s Alpha Awards photography competition, a pop-up cinema screening the finalist films from Sony’s Catchlight Film Festival short film competition, plus workshop and masterclasses stages.

The Scene Tradeshow will also have the most complete line up of Sony digital imaging equipment to get hands on with.

The Photography Zone will feature popular models such as the ZV-E1, Alpha 7C II, Alpha 7R V and the Alpha 1. Through interactive demonstrations and visual installations, attendees will experience the impressive performance of Sony’s cameras and lenses. Additionally, there will be an area for attendees to experiment with the high-resolution features of the Alpha 7R V, such as the pixel-shift multi-shoot mode, to get the perfect, high-quality shot. There will also be an all-purpose “arena of action” which will host a series of high-intensity moments, allowing attendees to experience the speed of cameras such as the Alpha 9 III. An immersive light installation will offer the opportunity to physically experience different light temperatures and observe their effects on the mood and emotion of a scene, from matchlight to dawn and pure sunlight.

The Cinema Zone will simulate a film set with lighting and Sony high-end cinema cameras, giving attendees the opportunity to see firsthand what goes into creating a cinematic scene with a live relay showcasing the filming process. There will also be a small-scale cinema which will screen Catchlight Film Festival movies and a BRAVIA TV demo space staged as a modern and fresh living room spotlighting Sony’s 2024 flagship TV, the BRAVIA 9.

At the Play Zone, attendees can drop off their own camera for a complimentary sensor clean at the express service station. Then, at the same station, a series of Vlogging cameras and accessories will be available for attendees to loan and Vlog their Scene Tradeshow experience. 

During the Tradeshow, attendees will also have the opportunity to take a break in a dedicated Lounge Zone to recharge. This area will be a great place for networking and conversation or simply for enjoying the latest Sony PlayStation games.

In terms of hands-on technology there will be over 100 unique Sony products for attendees to experience, including the entire Sony Alpha full-frame camera lineup, the entire Sony Cinema Line camera lineup (consisting of the VENICE 2, BURANO, FR7, FX6, FX3 and FX30), all G Master lenses, all newly released and select Sony and G-branded lenses and all newly released Sony camera accessories including microphones, on-camera flashes and camera grips. Sony BRAVIA TV displays will also be on hand to complete the lens to living room concept.

Located in the centre of the Scene Tradeshow will be the Sony Hub, where attendees can get more information about anything related to Scene Tradeshow including upcoming talks, directions, or any general enquiries.

For anyone who has an interest in any Sony product on show, they can speak with the sales team and make a purchase at special Tradeshow pricing or purchase a memento with limited-edition Scene Tradeshow merchandise.

The Sony Scene Tradeshow will be held onSaturday 28 September 2024 and Sunday 29 September 2024 from 9am to 5pm at the White Bay Power Station, Robert Street, Rozelle, NSW 2039.

For tickets and more details click here

As Australians feel the need for internet speed, Vodafone is giving away NBN Speed Upgrades at no extra cost for customers who bundle their postpaid mobile and nbn® service.  

The Speed Upgrade means eligible customers will automatically be bumped up to the speeds of the next highest nbn® speed tier (eg. from 25Mbps to 50Mbps, or nbn® Home Fast to nbn® Home Superfast) at no extra cost! Eligibility is subject to technology and line speed capability at the customer’s address. 

With video streaming and streamed gaming on the rise in Australia – particularly in higher resolution formats such as on 4K and 8K-enabled TVs – so too is demand for data and higher speeds. The Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research estimates the average monthly data downloads from Australian households will rise from 199 gigabytes in 2018 to 767 gigabytes in 2028. 

A Vodafone spokesperson said: “We know fast, reliable internet is essential for Australians who are increasingly dependent on online connection for work, socialising and entertainment.  

“Our new Speed Upgrade offer has been designed to put speed and value in the hands of our customers. We’re committed to delivering the network performance our customers need to stay connected, productive, and entertained.” 

To receive the Speed Upgrade, eligible customers’ postpaid mobile plan and nbn® plan must be on the same account and have the same billing name and billing address. This offer is also available to business customers with an active ABN/ACN. The offer applies to customers who from 27 August 2024 add a new nbn® service to their existing Postpaid Mobile service, change their nbn® plan when combined with an existing Postpaid Mobile service, or add a Postpaid Mobile service to an existing nbn® service which was connected or changed plan from 27 August 2024. 

For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com.au 

Square has unveiled Square Kiosk, a fully integrated software, hardware, and payments solution that enables self-serve ordering for hospitality businesses. At a time where hospitality businesses are facing staffing challenges, Square Kiosk bolsters productivity by reducing queues and untethering staff from the counter, freeing them to focus on other tasks. This is the latest technology from Square as it continues to invest in its hardware and software offerings for Australian hospo businesses.

Available today as part of an early access program, Square Kiosk works seamlessly with Square Point of Sale software and Square’s broader ecosystem of customer engagement, and business insights technology. It’s simple for venues to set up, saves precious counter space, and can be placed anywhere – from the wall to flat on the counter to mounted on a VESA compatible stand or swing-arm. Square Kiosk tracks sales data and instantly syncs menu updates, ensuring that customers have real-time visibility into what’s currently available.  

For guests, using Square Kiosk is a sleek and simple experience that lets them bypass queues and easily customise their orders. According to research from Square, the majority of diners are supportive of restaurants and cafes using self-ordering technology to help during busy hours, and Square Kiosk’s intuitive UI and built-in payments lets diners quickly and easily order their food. Guests are able to select exactly what they want, with customisation options being sent directly to the kitchen, and restaurants can grow their sales by offering upgrades and add-ons on every order without any awkward exchanges.

Pasta Prego, the Melbourne-based takeaway pasta bar, is one of the first businesses in Australia to use Square Kiosk and says it has already improved its service.

“As a business we are always trying to evolve and improve our customer experience,” says Lorenzo Fantarella and Isaac Varano, co-founders of Pasta Prego. “Even though we have only recently implemented Square Kiosk, we’ve noticed a significant increase in consumer spend per transaction. Square Kiosk allows consumers to peruse our extensive menu with no time pressure, enabling them to select from our broad offering range. We have also noticed a reduction in wait times, helping the team to focus on delivering our product to customers. As with all Square products, implementation has been seamless as the Kiosk is linked to our POS.”

“It’s a challenging time to be in Australian hospo right now, but speaking to people in the industry, we see how resourceful they are and how they’re looking for ways to operate more efficiently, without impacting service quality,” said Jean Magalhães, Hospo Product Lead for Square in Australia. “Technology – like Square Kiosk – can be a powerful ally in helping the industry in  challenging times like this.”

Square will be demoing the new Square Kiosk, and other restaurant-specific products, at this year’s Fine Food Australia at The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) between September 2nd and 5th, 2024. 

Once it becomes publicly available, until December 31st, 2024, Australian hospo operators will be able to try the Square Kiosk software for free on unlimited devices. After that period, Square Kiosk software will be charged at AU$45 per month, per device.

The software is used exclusively with Square Kiosk hardware which is available for $149. iPads and floor stand hardware are sold separately.