New Zealand’s smoking rate has halved in just five years due to the widespread acceptance and use of smoke free nicotine products, according to a new Smoke Free Sweden report by a panel of international experts led by public health expert Dr Marewa Glover of New Zealand. New Zealand has a daily smoking rate just above 5 per cent, the point at which the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declares a country ‘smoke free’. Unlike Sweden, which is set to become the first country in the world to declare itself officially ‘smoke free’ later this year, New Zealand’s rapid reduction in smoking ..read more

The average weekly diesel fuel price in Australia fell 1.2¢ 193.7¢ a litre nationally in the week ending 9 June, according to the Australian Institute of Petroleum’s ‘Weekly Diesel Prices’ report. The average national weekly metropolitan retail price fell 1.1¢ to 191.6¢ a litre, while the regional price fell 1.3¢ to 195.4¢ a litre. The most expensive diesel in the country was in the Northern Territory at 212.9¢ a litre, followed by Tasmania (198.9¢), Queensland (195.5¢), Victoria (193.6¢), NSW/ACT (193.2¢), South Australia (190.9¢), and Western Australia (189.2¢). Of the major citie ..read more

The average price of unleaded petrol in Australia rose 6.7¢ to 192¢ a litre nationally in the week ending 9 June, according to the Australian Institute of Petroleum’s ‘Weekly Petrol Prices’ report. The average national weekly metropolitan retail price rose 9.9¢ to 192.8¢ a litre, while the regional price rose 0.4¢ to 190.4¢ a litre. The most expensive unleaded in the country was in the Northern Territory at 200.7¢ a litre, followed by NSW/ACT (198.1¢), Tasmania (196¢), South Australia (191.3¢), Victoria (190.4¢), Queensland (187.9¢), and Western Australia (184.1¢). Of the major citi ..read more

Customers using Sainsbury’s ultra-rapid EV charging service Smart Charge can now collect loyalty points via the retailer’s Nectar program. By the end of the month, all Smart Charge customers with active Nectar accounts will be able to charge their EV and collect Nectar points, collecting one Nectar point for every pound spent. The news coincides with the launch of the UK retailer’s 50th Smart Charge EV charging location, with 12 new bays now available at the Sainsbury’s London Enfield Superstore. “Today marks a huge milestone for our Smart Charge business as we become the first EV charging pr ..read more

Australia’s “fastest-growing” frozen yoghurt and açaí brand Yo-Chi has opened its 30th venue. The opening in Semaphore, South Australia, reflects Yo-Chi’s “rapid expansion and solidifies its position as a leader in the frozen yoghurt and açaí market.” “Since its inception, Yo-Chi has become a sensation with an overwhelmingly loyal customer base, often resulting in long lines outside Yo-Chi venues around the country,” according to the brand. “Loved for its unique self-service experience and high-quality frozen yoghurt and toppings, the brand’s rapid growth trajectory has seen 23 new venues op ..read more

The retail media arm of Australia’s leading drinks and hospitality business, MixIn by Endeavour, has partnered with leading retail media platform Zitcha, to facilitate its off-site media across Meta’s Managed Partner Ads (MPA). Meta’s MPA helps retailers and their brand partners maximise customer engagement by ensuring brands and customers are well-connected, whilst simultaneously elevating the customer shopping experience in a data-safe environment. MixIn General Manager Martyn Raab says the partnership will allow suppliers to “close the loop” on seeing how their Meta brand spend impacts th ..read more

Australia’s “oldest and largest” dairy co-operative Norco is toasting 27 medal wins at the National Dairy Industry Association (DIAA) of Australia 2024 Awards of Excellence. The Dairy Industry Association of Australia hosts annual national and state dairy product competitions based on technical merit and judged by industry experts on flavour and aroma, body and texture, condition, colour, and finish of dairy products. The 100% farmer-owned co-operative scooped up 10 Gold medals and 17 Silver medals across various categories with its Norco Lactose Free Milk and Norco REAL Iced Coffee Triple S ..read more

Australian fintech Hello Clever has joined forces with Tyro Payments to “revolutionise” the country’s loyalty rewards landscape. Launching to around 70,000 Tyro merchants, shoppers can now redeem instant cashback rewards on everyday transactions in-store and online through Hello Clever. This includes Tyro’s extensive network of retailers and hospitality venues. “Amongst the current economic climate, shoppers are seeking instant rewards and benefits more than ever,” said Hello Clever CEO Caroline Tran. “Traditional loyalty-based rewards are often too complex and cumbersome to provide value for ..read more

The latest KPMG Australia Retail Health Index (RHI) indicates the road to recovery for Australia’s embattled retail sector has stalled, with positive health not forecast until September 2025. Between the December quarter 2023 and the March quarter 2024 the KPMG RHI had a rise of just 0.09 index points from -1.57 to -1.48, reflecting a similar small rate of improvement achieved during the final quarter of last year. The relative profitability of the retail sector is now well below its long-term average, representing 4.7% of total industry profitability compared to its long-term average of 6.4 ..read more

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed the Queensland State Budget’s suite of measures to address the cost-of-living crisis but highlighted a lack of support for small businesses doing it tough. The major cost-of-living announcements include: The state government will spend $150m to make all public transport journeys just 50 cents. Vehicle registration costs will be slashed by 20 per cent for 5.7 million car owners for the next 12 months. All government fees and charges – including the cost of a driver’s license – will be frozen. A $1000 discount on electricity bills for fam ..read more