Are Australians still beach mad? How is the face of the average Aussie changing? In our 2014 / 2015 cultural snapshot of Australia, we demystify cultural myths, shed light on the country’s economic outlook, and explore the emerging and established trends across eleven sectors.

No longer do we eagerly await the summer sale. Thanks to daily deals websites, online vouchers, and retailers’ desperation to sell, sell, sell, there's a sale nearly every day. But how does this permanent sale phenomenon affect the way people spend?

Fewer than 15% of people who list items on eBay are opting for an auction-only sale, according to researchers. They have found that 'Buy It Now' options are more popular as they appeal to 'time-poor' consumers who don't want to wait for an auction to end.

‘Buy anything, anywhere, cheaper’ is ShopandBox’s mantra. This Australian start-up lets shoppers buy items that are either unavailable or far more expensive in their country. They do this with the help of 'Boxers' - personal shoppers local to the country.