COVID-19 How Frame Shops Are Responding By Kimberly Biesiada
P
FM has collected perspectives from framing profes-
vey respondents was the U.S. Small Business Administra-
sionals around the world on how they are coping
tion’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), with 36% of public
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Retailers and sup-
funding recipients having gotten money from that program.
pliers were asked to complete an online survey that asked
Another 32% said they received one of the SBA’s Economic
questions about funding assistance they may have received,
Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), while the remainder report-
their business’s current operating status, and creative ways
ed receiving assistance from state or local governments or
they are generating business and staying connected to their
other public sources. Public funding was significantly more
customers. Data gathered from the survey was compiled
common than private funding; only 25 respondents report-
into a report for this article.
ed receiving money from a private entity such as Amazon’s
One major finding of the report was that the vast ma-
Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund.
jority of respondents were still operating their businesses in
Most respondents hailed from the US—91%—and were
some form during this challenging time. Of approximately
most commonly located in the Northeast, West, or Midwest
250 retailers who responded to our survey, about one-third
regions of the country, respectively. All fell under the cate-
(29%) reported their business as closed. Another 18% said
gory of small business owners, with 78% having one to four
their business was open for pickup, and 25% said they were
employees; 15% having five to nine employees; and the oth-
open for either inbound or outbound deliveries. Smaller
er 7% having between 10 and 99 employees.
portions of retailers said they were doing business online
Most encouraging of all were the open-ended respons-
(9%) or were fully operational (9%), while the remainder
es. The survey prompted retailers to describe how they had
listed other statuses such as “open by appointment only.”
been successfully generating business since the pandem-
While many reported limited production due to decreased
ic’s outbreak, as well as how they had been staying in touch
foot traffic, forced shuttering of nonessential businesses,
with their customers. Hundreds shared the creative ways
and supplier closures, it’s clear many frame shops have not
they have been fulfilling orders, generating interest, invest-
ground to a complete halt.
ing in their overall business, and strengthening relation-
CONTENTS
Many small businesses have also found short-term relief in the form of pandemic-related funding assistance from
ships with customers, creating a “new normal” in which to survive and, yes, even thrive.
AD INDEX
federal, state, and local governments and private organiza-
On the following two pages, you will find charts that
tions. One-quarter of respondents said they were awarded
break down the data discussed here. After that you will
funding from either a public or private agency, and anoth-
find several pages highlighting some of the best business-
er 10% said their application had been approved and were
boosting ideas shared with us by retailers and suppliers. We
awaiting funds. Most respondents—37%—said their applica-
hope their insights and successes inspire you as you adapt
tion was pending, while 21% said they had not applied for
your own business to weather the COVID-19 storm and pre-
funding. Only 9% reported having an application denied.
pare to reopen in the near future. PFM
The most common source of funding assistance for sur30 PFM May 2020
