The Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment fell 7% in May, a drop of 104.9 in April to 97.6 in May, in the wake of the federal government's budget.

Canon Australia is welcoming Vivien Lee to the role of General Manager of Consumer Marketing for the Canon Consumer Imaging business.

Sanyo Electric Company may cease operation under a reorganisation by Panasonic Corporation that includes global jobs cuts, according to Nikkei. Panasonic will cut 90% of Sanyo's global workforce of about 2 500 in the following three years.

Myer has recorded third quarter sales for the 13 weeks to 27 April 2013 of $652.5 million, up 0.5% compared to last year, with the retailer remaining cautious in its outlook.

A new report, Tweens, Teens and Technology, an extension of last year's McAfee Secret Life of Teens report, has found children as young as eight (tweens) are adopting technology faster than expected, particularly social networking, with 67% revealing they are currently using a social media site.

Thorn Group has posted $28 million net profit after tax for the full year, with its Radio Rentals business posting record installations and earnings.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has come out in a strong support of a Coalition proposal to make small business a cabinet portfolio within the Treasury department.

Latest research indicates a lack of awareness around cyber security amongst a majority of Australians even while there’s a huge uptake of technology.

Australia-based Access Digital Entertainment (ADE) plans to sell digital movies with UltraViolet functionality in the United Kingdom with the launch of a website.

US consumers between the ages of 18 and 35, or Generation Y, prefer shopping in-store rather than online, according to a new report from the Urban Land Institute (ULI), as long as retailers keep their offerings “fresh and interesting.”

Connected and smart cameras generate the highest level of interest from new camera shoppers, according to a recent survey by InfoTrends.

North American consumers showed confidence and a desire to spend again in the first quarter of 2013, although they remain cautious, according to the Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions. The Nielsen report measures consumer confidence, major concerns and spending intentions among more than 29 000 respondents with Internet access in 58 countries.

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