Story perspectives

Australians swap coffee for cheap spirits amid cost-crisis.

4/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Australian consumers have turned to cheaper spirits and cut coffee as living costs rise.
Orora says shift to cheaper spirits began with Iran war, while coffee sales have plunged.
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index shows pandemic-level job-security anxiety, prompting households to forgo furniture.
Shares of Nick Scali, Harvey Norman and Adairs have fallen 20%-30% in two months.
Cochlear lost 40% of market value after cutting profit outlook as implant demand fell.

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Story summary

Australian consumers have turned to cheaper spirits and cut coffee as living costs rise.
Orora says shift to cheaper spirits began with Iran war, while coffee sales have plunged.
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index shows pandemic-level job-security anxiety, prompting households to forgo furniture.
Shares of Nick Scali, Harvey Norman and Adairs have fallen 20%-30% in two months.
Cochlear lost 40% of market value after cutting profit outlook as implant demand fell.