Peggy’s Tech Blog:
Reshaping the Food Supply Chain
What’s happening in the food industry? Food-service growth is expected to continue at a modest but steady pace in 2026, with real growth projected at 1.1%, slightly higher than 0.9% in 2025. The challenge is there is ongoing pressure related to costs and consumer expectations. Also, the food supply chain is under pressure like never before due to tightening regulations and persistent food waste, which is forcing the industry to rethink how it manages safety, quality, and transparency.
Still, there is good news in all this discussion. There is a wave of innovation that is changing how food moves from production to plate. The IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (artificial intelligence) are fundamentally reshaping how the industry conducts business, bringing realtime monitoring, predictive analytics, and smarter logistics to the industry. To reinforce this conversation, let’s dive into a few new reports and see what tasty trends we need to keep a closer eye.
Expert Opinion:
Outdoor Automated Shades Are Sprouting Up Everywhere
The warmer weather is here, and so are opportunities for smart home dealers to sell devices and technology that put backyards front and center, including automated outdoor shades. In greater numbers, homeowners are turning to automated shades to make maximum use of their outdoor spaces and turn backyards into beautiful private getaways just a few feet away from home.
According to a January 2026 study by Strategic Revenue Insights, “The global motorized outdoor shade system market is projected to reach a valuation of approximately $12.5 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 7.8% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is driven primarily by the increasing demand for energy-efficient and smart home solutions, coupled with the rising consumer preference for outdoor living spaces that offer comfort and protection from the elements.”
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