Alignable’s Omicron Pulse Poll of 5,632 small business owners this week shows that 44% are concerned about Omicron hurting their already-challenging economic recovery. In fact, the majority of small businesses have yet to recover, and Omicron has those people even more worried than others. Here are a few highlights:

• The Omicron variant is even more daunting for disadvantaged groups including minority business owners: 69% of minorities polled expressed concern about Omicron affecting their recovery. The majority of women who own small businesses (52%) felt the same way. 

• Industries that rely on in-person business are also very worried about what Omicron might do; 70% in travel, 69% of restaurant owners, 68% of massage therapists, and 58% of retailers have expressed strong concerns.

• 60% of New York-based SMBs are nervous about Omicron, as well as 64% of those in MA, 57% in NJ, and 54% in MI.

• States with SMBs that are NOT as concerned include Texas (38%), Colorado (37%), and North Carolina (37%). 

• 53% of Canadian SMBs are fearful about Omicron’s effects. The two most-worried provinces are Ontario (58%) and British Columbia (53%). 

• To help control the potential damage Omicron could cause, 40% say they’re increasing basic health protocols, 23% say they’re getting a booster shot, and 21% are investing more into marketing.

See complete results from Alignable’s Omicron Pulse Poll here.

I’m happy to arrange an interview with small business owners and/or our CEO Eric Groves, who can provide a larger perspective on the ever-evolving small business landscape.