As States Open for Business, a New Survey Finds the Majority of Americans Feeling More Optimistic, Looking to Support Small B...
May 19 2020 - 11:25AM
Business Wire
- 67% of people are more hopeful now than when the pandemic began
and 75% plan to support small businesses as much as possible once
restrictions on non-essential businesses are lifted in their
areas
- Restaurants, retail shops, clothing stores, salons and spas and
bars are expected to be among the first places people spend their
money once it's safe to do so
- On average, people lasted 12 days on lockdown before attempting
to perform services that they would typically have done at small
businesses in their neighborhood including haircuts, manicures and
pedicures; one in four say they received a haircut from a family
member or friend that didn’t make the cut
- Nine out of 10 people say they’ve felt bored during quarantine
and eating at restaurants, going to the movies, seeing friends,
spending time with family and getting brunch are the biggest things
missing from their social lives
- Average American plans to spend nearly $100 a week at local
businesses post-COVID-19, up 16% vs. before the pandemic — in the
hopes of boosting their local economy
With all 50 states beginning at least some form of a partial
reopening this week, Americans are starting to feel more optimistic
about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and look forward to supporting
their favorite small businesses once they’re open for business,
according to a new survey by local experiences marketplace Groupon.
The study of 2,000 people found that 67% of Americans are more
hopeful now than when the crisis first began and 75% plan to
support local merchants as much as possible once restrictions on
non-essential businesses are lifted in their communities.
Restaurants, retail shops, clothing stores, salons and spas and
bars are expected to be among the first places people spend their
money once it's safe to do so.
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A Groupon study of 2,000 people
found that 67% of Americans are more hopeful now than when the
COVID-19 pandemic first began and 75% plan to support local
businesses as much as possible once restrictions on
non-essential businesses are lifted in their communities. (Graphic:
Business Wire)
The study, conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Groupon,
showed Americans have already been going out of their way to back
small businesses–– 86% of people have supported a locally owned
business during quarantine and 57% know of at least one
establishment affected by lockdown restrictions. Some of the top
ways people have showed their support during quarantine
include:
- Taking an online class or participating in a virtual experience
offered by a local merchant (77% of respondents)
- Booking summer “staycations” - revolving around activities that
are close to home and keep their kids entertained (65%)
- Ordering more takeout and delivery from local restaurants
(60%)
According to the National Federation of Independent Business,
92% of small businesses have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
To help support local merchants during these unprecedented times,
Groupon launched the #HelpSaveLocal initiative to aid local
businesses in need and better position them for a speedy recovery.
Some of the ways Groupon has put its passion for supporting small
businesses and the communities they serve into action have included
partnering with Fundera to help merchants secure emergency SBA
loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, lending support to
Stand for Small a coalition by American Express and a growing group
of companies focused on providing small businesses with resources
for navigating the current environment and collecting donations
from customers worth more than 650,000 meals for communities in
need through a partnership with Feeding America.
“This crisis has disproportionately affected small businesses
and our hearts go out to local merchants, who have often poured
their life savings into their businesses,” said Simon Goodall,
Chief Commercial Officer, Groupon. “As some businesses begin to
slowly and responsibly open back up, it’s encouraging to see that
many Americans plan to continue to help their communities recover
by supporting small, local businesses. Even if you live in an area
that hasn’t relaxed restrictions or you don’t feel that it’s safe
to support them in person just yet, there are still a number of
meaningful ways that you can make a huge difference right now such
as taking an online class, ordering takeout or delivery and booking
future plans.”
The survey also revealed just how important a role local
businesses play in making life better. On average people lasted
just 12 days on lockdown before attempting to perform services that
they would typically have done at small businesses in their
neighborhoods including haircuts, manicures and pedicures; one in
four say they received a haircut from a family member or friend
that didn’t make the cut. And with nine out of 10 people saying
they felt bored in quarantine, Americans said eating at
restaurants, going to the movies, seeing friends, spending time
with family and getting brunch are the biggest things missing from
their social lives.
“We’re thrilled to be open and doing what we love the most,
which is combining dance and fitness for a fun, alternative workout
that enables people to have an amazing time while they work towards
their fitness goals," said Farah Taylor, owner of Atlanta's Fusion
Belly Dance.
Merchants may be encouraged by yet another statistic revealed by
the survey: the average American plans to spend nearly $100 a week
at local businesses post-COVID-19, up 16% vs. before the pandemic —
in the hopes of boosting their local economy.
“While we are rapidly adjusting our business to implement a
number of new safety measures including aggressive sanitizing and
educating our members on best practices, we are incredibly excited
to be back at work,” said Katie Stumbo, owner and founder of
Phoenix’s Go Conquer Fitness. “The new normal certainly creates
some challenges for a small business, so we really appreciate the
support of our local community as we reopen our doors.”
To find small, local businesses in your area that you can
support now or later, please visit Groupon’s #HelpSaveLocal
collection at https://www.groupon.com/landing/help-save-local.
About Groupon
Groupon (www.groupon.com) (NASDAQ: GRPN) is an experiences
marketplace that brings people more ways to get the most out of
their city or wherever they may be. By enabling real-time mobile
commerce across local businesses, live events and travel
destinations, Groupon helps people find and discover
experiences––big and small, new and familiar––that make for a full,
fun and rewarding life. Groupon helps local businesses grow and
strengthen customer relationships––resulting in strong, vibrant
communities. To learn more about Groupon’s community-building
efforts, please visit community.groupon.com.
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Groupon Nick Halliwell 312.999.3812 nhalliwell@groupon.com
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