How Are Small Businesses Adjusting to COVID-19? Early Evidence from a Survey / Alexander W. Bartik, Marianne Bertrand, Zoë B. Cullen, Edward L. Glaeser, Michael Luca, Christopher T. Stanton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bartik, Alexander W.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Bertrand, Marianne.

Cullen, Zoë B.

Glaeser, Edward L.

Luca, Michael.

Stanton, Christopher T.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w26989.

NBER working paper series no. w26989

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2020.

Summary:

In addition to its impact on public health, COVID-19 has had a major impact on the economy. To shed light on how COVID-19 is affecting small businesses - and on the likely impact of the recent stimulus bill, we conducted a survey of more than 5,800 small businesses. Several main themes emerge from the results. First, mass layoffs and closures have already occurred. In our sample, 43 percent of businesses are temporarily closed, and businesses have - on average - reduced their employee counts by 40 percent relative to January. Second, consistent with previous literature, we find that many small businesses are financially fragile. For example, the median business has more than $10,000 in monthly expenses and less than one month of cash on hand. Third, businesses have widely varying beliefs about the likely duration of COVID related disruptions. Fourth, the majority of businesses planned to seek funding through the CARES act. However, many anticipated problems with accessing the aid, such as bureaucratic hassles and difficulties establishing eligibility.

Notes:

Print version record

April 2020.