Here are Business That are Weathering COVID-19 According to Yelp

Some businesses are weathering COVID-19 better than others.

Lawyers, real estate agents, architects, and accountants have accounted for only two to three out of every thousand businesses closed, as of August 31, according to the September Yelp Local Economic Impact Report. 

While many doctors’ offices had to temporarily close in March, these businesses have maintained a low rate of closures overall. Orthopedists, internal medicine, hospitals, physicians, family doctors and OB/GYNs all have less than three closures out of every thousand businesses, Yelp reports. 

Demand for home, local and automotive services has remained strong throughout the pandemic. Towing companies, plumbers and contractors have maintained a low rate of closures, with only six to seven out of every thousand businesses closed. From March 1 through August 31, the share of consumer interest in home and local services is up 24% relative to other categories on Yelp compared to the same time last year.

As has been widely reported, the restaurant industry has suffered through the pandemic with 32,109 closures as of August 31. More than half of those, 19,590, appear to be permanent. It’s no surprise that takeout friendly restaurants, such as pizza places, delis, food trucks, bakeries and coffee shops, have fared better.

Bars and nightclubs are struggling even more than restaurants. At the end of August, there were 6,451 total business closures and 54%, 3,499, permanently closed. This was a 10% increase since Yelp’s Economic Average Report in July.

Retail and shopping have also been hit hard during the pandemic, with 30,374 total business closures. Fifty-eight percent, 17,503, were permanent. Similar to bars and nightlife, the share of permanent closures increased by 10% since July. 

The beauty industry, which relies on in-person interaction, has seen a 22% increase in closures since July. Overall, 16,585 businesses in that sector have closed, and 42% of those (7,002) have shut their doors permanently. The fitness industry has suffered 6,024 total closures, which is a 23% increase compared to July. Less than half of those, 2,616, are permanent.

While restaurants, retail, gyms and the beauty industry are still suffering, things have stabilized overall. Yelp’s latest Economic Average illustrated 132,580 closures, which is a decrease. As of August 31, 163,735, total U.S. businesses on Yelp have closed since the beginning of the pandemic (observed as March 1), a 23% increase since July 10.