Coronavirus already affecting small business sales, CFIB survey says

A new survey suggests half of Canada’s small businesses have already seen a drop in sales due to the economic effects of Covid-19.

The survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business also says four in 10 of those affected businesses are also reporting a drop of more than 25%.

The results were based on an online survey which included 8,730 responses from small business across the country between March 13 and March 16.

The CFIB survey found the sectors most negatively affected were hospitality, arts and recreation, retail and personal services.

It says 43% have reduced hours for staff and 20% have started temporary layoffs.

Thirty-eight percent say they have experienced supply chain issues.

CFIB president Dan Kelly says the early economic impacts of the novel coronavirus on Canada small and medium-sized businesses has been massive.

“Even more alarming is our finding that a full quarter of small firms would not be able to survive for more than a month with a drop in business income of more than 50%,” Kelly said in a statement.

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is a national news agency headquartered in Toronto and founded in 1917.