Hi there,
 

I realize it’s been a while since we made fun of management consultant data viz. TBH, I’m not sure the one below was done by management consultants, but when in doubt, it’s safe to assume it was.

Two key questions about this (although there are probably hundreds):

1.  Is the size of sales on both x and y axes?

2.  Why the heck is the GDP of Afghanistan on this chart? Is that a common benchmark in the quick service restaurant space? So, so many questions.
 

Help.

Living on the edge

Edge computing, which processes data at the level of a device, is set to transform new tech like autonomous vehicles, VR, and the internet of things (IoT). 

Shop til you drop

Developing an e-commerce strategy isn’t just setting up an online shop and offering smart recommendations. Retailers can take some notes from Amazon, which has expanded into: 

• Online brand partnerships (the launch of Luxury Stores) 

• Fulfillment flexibility (an in-garage delivery program in 4,000 cities)

• Store openings and tech (Amazon Fresh grocery store, cashierless smart shopping carts, palm payments)

In 2021, big tech will likely continue to make online shopping easier. Take a look at how big tech and others are innovating retail in our report.

Digital, digital banks get down

The uptake of digital financial services has largely been driven by tech-savvy, younger populations, while seniors and the underbanked have been disproportionately excluded. 

Here is where fintechs and incumbents see the next digital banking opportunities.

All these oppawtunities

With two-thirds of US households now owning pets, more people are willing to spend top dollar on their fur babies.

Human-grade food, virtual vet care, and pet insurance are just some of the many pet care opportunities companies are looking to double down on. Read more about them here.

Fueled up

Investors are funding the renewable energy ecosystem at record highs, supporting startups that are installing EV stations globally, developing energy management software, and more. 

Among these top investors are Shell Ventures, EIT InnoEnergy, and Energy Impact Partners. See the rest in this client-only brief.

Wall Street Journal. David Uberti (@DavidUberti) quotes CBI enterprise tech analyst Matthew Hopkins in looking at the boom in cyber tech investment.

TechCrunch. Alex Wilhelm (@alex) reports on fintech funding trends using the CB Insights State Of Fintech Preview.  

Business Insider. Lea Nonninger (@LeaNonninger) looks at the fintech predictions Insider Intelligence got wrong in 2020 and cites CB Insights data.
 

P.S. We're looking for a senior learning and development manager. Take a look at the job specs here.

The Blurb

Basement suites. A majority (52%) of young adults in the US aged 18 to 29 were living with their parents in 2020.

Pew Research Center

Holy cannoli. The story behind the bucatini pasta shortage of 2020 includes shifting consumer demand, manufacturing difficulties, and the FDA.

Grub Street

Stayin’ alive. Experts weigh in on whether we could (and should) introduce genetically modified organisms to other planets.

Gizmodo

Pew pew. Perhaps the reason why stormtroopers in Star Wars can’t shoot straight is because of their poorly designed helmets.

The Guardian

Mafia influencers. Some mob bosses in Italy have embraced social media to build their criminal brands. 

Financial Times