Small businesses that pivoted to online weathered pandemic best, survey finds
It’s no secret that small businesses bore the brunt of COVID-19 restrictions, but many managed to weather the pandemic – and a new survey reveals the secret to their success.
Web services company GoDaddy surveyed small businesses in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
The findings show two-thirds increased their online presence during the pandemic, and 40 per cent credit that move with recent revenue growth.
“It did open the door to a new way of doing business that I think they can continue to use as we come out of the pandemic, maintaining these new ways of doing business,” said GoDaddy Canada vice-president Anna De Aragon.
That has certainly been the case for La Grotta Del Formaggio, a 43-year-old Commercial Drive deli that did not have much of a web presence prior to the pandemic but pivoted to digital to stay afloat.
“It was something we wanted to do for a long time so in a way this kind of gave us that push to get online,” said owner Sandra Raines, whose father founded the businesses with her grandfather in the late ‘70s.
“We quickly set up an online store, created a website. Then we found platforms like Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes."
Even with pandemic restrictions no longer a concern, the move continues to pay off.
The deli is currently closed for a major renovation, but the business keeps humming along as staff work out of the warehouse fulfilling web orders for customers.
"I see it continuing and I think we're growing and bringing in new things to the deli and I'm excited about the future,” said Raines.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.