75% of Consumers Aim to Back Local Businesses More Extensively Post-COVID-19

Despite being battered by the coronavirus pandemic this year, small local businesses have gained consumers as a new ally to give them much needed future hope and support.

A robust 75% of consumers plan to back local businesses more extensively once limitations on non-essential businesses are removed in their areas, a new report shows.

That is among discoveries from a new survey paid for by Groupon and completed by OnePoll. It is encouraging news for restaurants, retail shops, clothing stores, salons and spas, and bars, places where people first are expected to spend money when it is safe to do so. The study done in early May surveyed 2,000 people to get a feel of their shopping plans post-COVID-19 lockdown.

Some 67% of those questioned are more hopeful now than when the pandemic initially started. And  Americans have been going out of their way to help small businesses. Some 86% of those surveyed report they continued to support locally owned businesses during the quarantine.

The study comes as states across America have started some type of reopening—including partially—in recent days. Some 57% of those surveyed know at least one business affected by lockdown restrictions.

So what are among the ways people favored small businesses during the quarantine?

• Some 77% of respondents took an online class or took part in a virtual experience offered by a local merchant.
• Sixty-five percent booked summer “staycations,” which included planning activities that are close to home and keep their kids entertained.
• Around 65% boosted their takeout and delivery options from local restaurants.

Another welcomed survey statistic for small business owners perhaps is this: The average American plans to spend nearly $100 a week at local businesses post-COVID-19, up 16% from before the crisis. That could boost the local economy where people live, further helping small businesses.

A whopping 92% of small businesses have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, the National Federation of Independent Business reports. The survey findings offer small businesses a ray of hope.

“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,” Simon Goodall, chief commercial officer, Groupon stated in a news release.

“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.”