Avalara’s 2026 Cross-Border Chaos Report shows that 83% of business leaders find international operations more complex, with 39% delaying market entry amid rising uncertainty.

DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New research from Avalara, Inc., the agentic tax and compliance leader, shows that while businesses are eager to expand globally, fading confidence in stable trade rules is forcing many to slow or delay growth amid rising regulatory complexity, tariffs, and geopolitical volatility.

• Read Avalara’s 2026 Cross-Border Chaos Report here.

Avalara’s 2026 Cross-Border Chaos Report reveals that 83%¹ of business leaders believe cross-border operations are more complex than a year ago, while 70%² say trade is more complex than it was three years ago.

Nearly 4 in 10 companies (39%) have delayed entering new markets altogether due to regulatory uncertainty. As a result, global expansion is losing momentum, with just 43% of businesses actively pursuing new international opportunities. Tariffs, fragmented regulations, and geopolitical volatility are making cross-border operations increasingly unpredictable, costly, and complex.

In response, businesses are turning to technology to create their own certainty. 87%³ of companies now use AI in some capacity for their cross-border operations. This suggests that automation and intelligent compliance systems are becoming central to managing risk, maintaining control, and sustaining growth. In addition, it points to a fundamental shift in global trade, where trust is moving towards systems that can adapt as quickly as the rules change.

“Global expansion hasn’t lost its appeal, but the rules of the game are changing faster than ever,” said Craig Reed, GM of Cross-Border at Avalara. “As trade becomes more fragmented and unpredictable, businesses are realizing they can’t wait for certainty to return. They’re using technology and automation to stay compliant, manage risk, and keep moving forward.”

Other findings from the Cross-Border Chaos Report include:

Compliance is core to growth: Once viewed as a back-office function, compliance is now a defining factor in expansion decisions. Nearly half of respondents (49%) noted that regulatory change after market entry was their most influential risk for cross-border operations. Other concerns include border disruption (46%) and unexpected fines (38%).

Technology emerges as a source of stability: Businesses are now embedding technology directly into their expansion strategies. 87%³ of respondents now use AI for cross-border operations. More than a quarter (27%) are deploying it broadly and 19% have made it central to their risk management. Rather than waiting for regulatory clarity, companies are engineering their own predictability through data-driven compliance systems and automation.

One global challenge, different regional pressures: While uncertainty seems universal, its impact varies by region. In the U.S., concerns about sudden policy shifts are driving higher levels of AI adoption. In the UK, post-Brexit divergence and friction with Europe continue to reshape trade strategies. And in Australia and India, regulatory fragmentation and shifting trade alliances complicate market entry. Across markets, technology is emerging as the common foundation for sustainable growth in today’s volatile trading environments.

The full 2026 Cross-Border Chaos Report, including regional breakdowns and industry insights, is available to download at: newsroom.avalara.com/image/Avalara+Cross-Border+Chaos+Report.pdf

About the Cross-Border Chaos Report
Avalara commissioned Censuswide to survey 1,500 senior business decision‑makers within businesses / retailers that trade and / or sell goods cross-border across the U.S., UK, India and Australia. The data was collected between January 13 – 20, 2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.

About Avalara
Avalara is the agentic tax and compliance leader. For more than two decades, Avalara has developed one of the most expansive libraries of tax content and integrations in the industry, supporting over 200,000 direct and indirect customers across more than 75 countries. The company’s purpose-built AI agents automate end-to-end compliance processes with greater precision, from tax calculations and return filings to exemption certificate management and beyond. For more information, visit Avalara.com.

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CHICAGO and MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rand McNally today announced the launch of a new multi-brand capability for Toyota Halo, developed in partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA). The capability was launched on January 20, 2026, and enables Toyota fleet customers in Australia to manage mixed fleets, including non-Toyota vehicles, within a single Toyota Halo portal using Rand McNally’s GX6 device.

Rand McNally’s GX6 in-vehicle telematics unit

Toyota Halo is Toyota’s fleet management platform, sold exclusively by Toyota to its fleet customers as a Toyota-branded, white-label solution powered by Rand McNally technology. The platform helps fleet operators monitor, manage, and optimize their vehicles through a centralized portal designed to support real-world fleet operations.

With the introduction of the new multi-brand capability, Toyota Halo can now support non-Toyota light vehicles and light commercial vehicles alongside Toyota vehicles in the same system. This includes vehicle types such as sedans, SUVs, and Utility vehicles, provided they are compatible with the GX6 device. At this stage, the multi-brand capability is limited to light vehicles and light commercial vehicles.

The enhancement is enabled by Rand McNally’s GX6 device, an in-vehicle telematics unit that captures and transmits vehicle data into the Toyota Halo platform. GX6 is the only approved device for enabling multi-brand functionality within Toyota Halo and has been approved for use by TMCA.

“This launch reflects how fleet customers actually operate,” said Adam Ricketts, General Manager APAC & MENA for Rand McNally. “Most fleets operate a mix of vehicle brands, and this capability allows Toyota Halo customers to manage those vehicles together in one system, without the complexity of multiple platforms.”

The new capability unlocks additional opportunities among mixed-fleet customers by extending Toyota Halo beyond Toyota-only fleets while maintaining a consistent, Toyota-branded fleet management experience. It also represents an expansion of the partnership between Rand McNally and Toyota Motor Corporation Australia, extending the functionality and commercial reach of Toyota Halo within the Australian market.

The multi-brand capability is available now to eligible Toyota Halo customers in Australia using the GX6 device.

About Rand McNally
Rand McNally is a leading provider of navigation, mapping, and fleet management solutions, delivering technology platforms that help fleets operate more efficiently, safely, and intelligently.

About Toyota Halo
Toyota Halo is a Toyota-branded fleet management solution offered by Toyota Motor Corporation Australia that enables fleet customers to monitor, manage, and optimize their vehicles through a single, integrated platform.

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SYDNEY, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Roborock, the global leader in intelligent home robotics engineered to simplify daily life, today announced the launch of Qrevo Edge 2 Pro, its latest premium robot vacuum cleaner designed to help households stay cleaner, healthier and more comfortable — without adding extra effort to daily routines.

As families balance work, children, pets and increasingly busy lifestyles, expectations around home cleaning continue to evolve. It is no longer enough to remove surface-level dust. More households are seeking reliable solutions that address hidden dirt, bacteria, and allergens, while operating quietly and efficiently in the background.

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro is built to meet exactly that need.

Uncovering Hidden Hygiene Challenges

While dust and stains are easy to spot, many of the most persistent hygiene challenges remain out of sight. Low-clearance spaces beneath beds and sofas often trap hair, allergens and fine particles, while damp mop pads and unclean docks can become sources of odour and bacterial growth over time.

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro tackles these hidden challenges with a 7.98cm ultra-slim design and an upgraded retractable LiDAR system, enabling it to clean effectively under low furniture without compromising navigation or mapping accuracy. By reaching areas that standard cleaning often misses, the robot helps minimise the build-up of fine debris and allergens, supporting a more thorough and hygienic home environment.

High-Temperature Hygiene Built into the Dock System

Beyond floor coverage, Qrevo Edge 2 Pro integrates a high-temperature self-cleaning system designed to deliver consistent hygiene across every cleaning cycle.

The dock performs 100°C hot water mop washing to break down grease and microbial residue, followed by 55°C hot air drying to prevent moisture-related odours and mould formation. In addition, the base station itself is cleaned using 100°C hot water, helping maintain internal cleanliness and long-term system hygiene.

Together, these processes provide a clear, verifiable hygiene logic — using heat-based cleaning to address bacteria, allergens, and odour sources at both the mop and dock level.

Powerful Cleaning Performance for Everyday Living

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro is powered by Roborock’s 25,000Pa HyperForce suction, delivering strong airflow to effectively remove fine dust, embedded debris and pet hair from carpets and hard floors.

For floor washing, warm water mopping combined with 12N downward pressure and dual spinning mop pads improves surface contact and stain removal efficiency, supporting deeper cleaning results in high-traffic household areas.

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro also features an industry-first Dynamic Chassis system, enabling dual-layer obstacle crossing of up to 4cm and adaptive movement across rugs and uneven surfaces, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted cleaning across multiple rooms.

Peace of Mind for the Whole Family

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro is built to reduce daily maintenance and make home cleaning worry-free, featuring a Hygienic Multifunctional Dock that automates mop washing, drying and base self-cleaning. It’s also certified as both a Pet Friendly Floor Cleaner and Maternal & Infant Cleaning Robot – supporting sensitive users and healthier family homes.

Additional convenience features include a Dual Anti-Tangle System that minimises hair wrap on both the main and side brushes, plus advanced Obstacle Recognition technology capable of identifying over 200 household objects for precise everyday navigation.

Together, these intelligent features help deliver a cleaner, healthier home with minimal effort, giving families, seniors and busy households greater peace of mind while protecting the spaces where kids, pets and loved ones spend their time.

Refined Design for Contemporary Homes

Qrevo Edge 2 Pro combines performance upgrades with a refined industrial design that fits seamlessly into modern homes. The low-profile robot body integrates advanced sensing hardware within a clean, minimal silhouette, while the square dock features geometric lines and premium finishes. The dock’s front panel uses a glossy material paired with a 2.5D curved surface, creating rich depth and dynamic reflections from different angles, enhancing both visual appeal and tactile quality, and making the product a sophisticated addition to contemporary Australian living spaces.

Building on Roborock’s expanding Qrevo Edge lineup, Qrevo Edge 2 Pro reflects the brand’s continued focus on delivering higher standards of hygiene, extended coverage and intelligent automation. Additional models within the Qrevo Edge 2 series are expected to follow, offering households more flexible options tailored to different living environments and cleaning needs.

Pricing and Availability

Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 Pro will be available in Australia at an RRP of AUD $2,799, through Roborock’s official online store and selected retail partners.

For more information, please visit Roborock’s official website.

About Roborock 

Roborock is a leading smart cleaning brand renowned for its intelligent cleaning solutions. Having become the #1 best-selling robotic vacuum cleaner brand according to IDC*, Roborock enriches lives with its innovative line of robotic, cordless, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, robotic lawn mowers and washer-dryers. Rooted in a user-centric approach, our R&D-driven solutions cater to diverse cleaning needs in millions of homes across more than 170 countries and regions. Headquartered in Beijing and with strategic subsidiaries in key markets, including the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and South Korea, Roborock is dedicated to elevating its market presence worldwide. As of 2026, Roborock serves more than 22 million households. For more information, visit https://global.roborock.com/.

DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Oilmar DMCC (“Oilmar”) today announced its 10-year anniversary and the launch of “10 Years. 10 Charities. One Responsibility.” a giving initiative linking each year of the company’s journey to charitable partners and causes aligned to the values and responsibilities underpinning global trade.

Founded in 2015 amid volatile energy markets and geopolitical uncertainty, Oilmar has grown into a global bunker and cargo trading house with 80+ professionals, six trading hubs, and a footprint across three continents. The milestone reflects a decade of disciplined expansion, operational advancement and an enhanced emphasis on governance and long-term trust.

“In moments of calm, any company can appear strong. True strength is revealed in times of adversity, through decisions made both under scrutiny and away from it” said Yusif Mammadov, Owner of Oilmar DMCC. 

“Over the past decade, we have grown through periods of volatility and transformation, but our greatest achievement is not scale, it is our character. As we mark ten years, we choose to honor our journey not through celebration alone, but through meaningful contribution.”

Oilmar’s early years focused on establishing a strong foundation amid challenging market conditions, followed by a period of accelerated growth into a global trading house. In recent years, the company has placed increased emphasis on data-driven trading, enhanced compliance and governance, global risk management, operational excellence and sustainable long-term growth.

To mark its anniversary, Oilmar is highlighting each year of its journey through partnerships with charities and cause areas, including humanitarian response, maritime welfare, medical support and research, hunger relief, sustainability and marine protection. Featured organisations include Emirates Red Crescent, The Mission to Seafarers, IHH Humanitarian Relief, Project CURE, Environmental Defence Fund, Cancer Research UK, World Central Kitchen, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Direct Relief, and the MSC Foundation.

“Logistics and energy connect the world, but they also have a direct impact on people’s lives,” added Mammadov. “As we look to the next decade, we want success to be defined not only by commercial performance, but by our responsibility to people, communities and the oceans that underpin global trade.”

Oilmar DMCC is a global bunker and cargo trading house founded in 2015. The company operates across three continents with 80+ professionals and six trading hubs, supporting customers and partners across international markets.

SYDNEY and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Virtual IT Group (VITG) today announced the appointment of Maurice McCarthy as Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant milestone in the company’s next phase of growth across Australia and New Zealand. Virtual IT Group Founder, Christian Pacheco, will transition into the role of Founding Director, continuing to shape Virtual IT Group’s vision for the future, service innovation agenda and M&A strategy.

Virtual IT Group Founding Director, Christian Pacheco said, “Maurice’s appointment followed a comprehensive leadership assessment focused on the evolving needs of clients operating in increasingly complex cyber, regulatory, and AI-enabled environments.”

Pacheco added, “Maurice stood out as a leader with the right combination of client empathy, operational discipline, and modern technology insight. Our clients face mounting pressure from cyber threats, compliance obligations, and rapid AI adoption. Maurice has a deep understanding of the dynamics our clients are faced with on a daily basis, and a clear vision for leadership.” 

Mid-sized organisations across healthcare, financial services, education, and other regulated sectors rely on Virtual IT Group for fit-for-sector, security-led IT, cloud, and modern workplace services. These are supported by a 24/7 ANZ Security Operations Centre (SOC) and a high-touch, always-on service model.

Maurice brings deep experience leading client-focused technology and services organisations through growth, transformation, and operational scale. As CEO, his priorities include enhancing client outcomes, improving service reliability, and responsibly embedding AI across service delivery.

Maurice McCarthy, Virtual IT Group CEO said, “Operational and technology leaders are being asked to move faster with AI while meeting unprecedented cyber and compliance demands. Virtual IT Group combines a 24/7 ANZ SOC, AI-driven ticket resolution, and a friendly, expert help desk for one reason, to give our clients peace of mind so they can focus on their mission. None of this happens without our people, from Level 1 engineers to our most experienced consultants. Together, we’ll build on this foundation and lead Virtual IT Group into its next chapter.”

This appointment reinforces Virtual IT Group’s commitment to being a long-term partner to clients, a place where great people build meaningful careers in managed services and cybersecurity. 

About Virtual IT Group
Virtual IT Group is one of the fastest growing mid-market technology and cybersecurity providers in Australia and New Zealand. With scale, reach, and proven expertise, we deliver end-to-end managed IT and security services making our client’s business systems stronger, safer and simpler every day.  
www.vitg.com.au

LONDON, Feb. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PEI Group, the leading source of data and intelligence for investment professionals across private markets, today announces that Edouard Tavernier will succeed Tim McLoughlin as Chief Executive Officer, with immediate effect.

Edouard Tavernier, PEI Group CEO

Edouard joins PEI Group from S&P Global, where he most recently served as President of S&P Global Mobility and led the transformation of the business into the leading data and analytics provider to the global automotive industry, with revenues of $1.8 billion in 2025. He brings deep experience of building and scaling information and technology businesses, driving product-led organic growth and executing strategic acquisitions across global markets.

PEI Group has become the largest independent provider of intelligence and connections to the global private-markets community, serving GPs, LPs and service providers alike. PEI Group’s unique combination of proprietary data assets, insight and analysis has delivered sustained growth across private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure and secondaries through the company’s stable of high-renewal subscription products and sector-defining events and networks.

Commenting on the transition, Tim said:

“I am immensely proud of what the team at PEI Group has achieved together.  We have built a scale business of powerful reach and influence. PEI ‘s clear purpose is to inform and connect global investment professionals – to enable their success.  It will be exciting to see the next chapter unfold under Edouard’s leadership and I welcome him with great confidence in a Company strongly poised for continued impressive growth.”

Reflecting on his appointment, Edouard commented:

“As private markets continue to grow in scale, complexity and importance, proprietary data and insights have never been more critical. PEI Group plays a vital role in enabling the private markets ecosystem and connecting industry stakeholders, and I am thrilled to join the team to accelerate the development of new products and capabilities for our customers.”

Representing the board, Charles Welham, partner at Bridgepoint, commented: “Edouard brings strategic and leadership capabilities that will be critical to the next stage of PEI Group’s journey, and I am excited to see where he and the team can take the business. I would like to thank Tim for his outstanding leadership and commitment to PEI Group over the past seven years of Bridgepoint ownership.”   

Henry Elkington, Chairman of the board, added: “I am delighted to welcome Edouard to PEI Group.  The continued growth of private markets creates the need for timely data, insights and connections. Edouard’s experience will enable him to accelerate the business, building on the incredible foundations that Tim has delivered.”

Tim McLoughlin will continue to serve on the PEI Board as a non-executive director.

About PEI Group
PEI Group is a leading business intelligence company backed by Bridgepoint Group. Our mission is to connect investment professionals with critical market insights and networking opportunities across global specialized markets. Our 17 premium data and analysis brands support knowledge and decision making for 30,000 investors, managers and service providers. Our five membership networks serve 6,500 members, and we host more than 16,000 guests at 40+ conferences and events around the world.

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the originator of New-Style Tea, heytea, officially opened its first Canadian heytea lab at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (TEC), marking a major milestone in its North American expansion following the debut of its overseas heytea lab in New York’s Times Square in early 2025.

As the brand’s most avant-garde retail concept, heytea lab serves as a creative hub for tea innovation, flavor exploration, and aesthetic presentation. The TEC opening introduces the “tea lab” series to Canada for the first time, featuring eight globally exclusive, limited-edition beverages crafted for international markets, anchored in the newly developed Rock Oolong tea base—naturally high in aroma and complexity—and reimagining tea through layered flavor design and textural contrast.

To celebrate the grand opening, heytea partnered with renowned Canadian chef Susur Lee to present a refined fusion of haute cuisine and tea culture. The co-created signature drinks, Rock Oolong Caviar and Rock Oolong Caviar Ice Cream, reinterpret contemporary Chinese tea through contrast and balance, pairing savory caviar with the floral depth of Rock Oolong to deliver a fine-dining-inspired sensory experience. The collaboration reflects heytea’s vision of elevating tea in a broader culinary dialogue.

Designed as an immersive creative showcase, the store transforms the R&D process visually. Displays of raw tea leaves, botanical ingredients, and extraction equipment offer transparency into craftsmanship and invite guests to engage with the story behind every drink.

Since entering Canada with its first Vancouver store in 2023, heytea has expanded strategically across the Vancouver and Toronto metropolitan areas, with the TEC flagship signaling its entry as the first New-Style Tea brand into this premier Canadian shopping landmark. The brand now operates six stores nationwide, supported by a dedicated Toronto distribution center launched in December 2025 to ensure consistent quality and supply chain stability.

Through heytea lab, the brand continues to position tea as a cultural medium, building meaningful connections within Toronto’s diverse community.

About heytea

Founded in 2012, heytea revolutionized traditional bubble tea by committing to natural ingredients and today operates around 4,000 stores across more than 330 cities worldwide, with over 100 locations in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and overseas markets, including more than 45 in North America. The brand has partnered with global fashion, entertainment, and cultural brands including FENDI, alexanderwang, WICKED, POP MART, and Yayoi Kusama.