The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from Phase 8 of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS), which measures the effect of changing business conditions during the coronavirus pandemic and other major events such as hurricanes on our nation’s small businesses. The SBPS complements existing Census Bureau data by providing detailed, near real-time information on the challenges that small businesses face.
Phase 8 includes:
- A new question to gauge the impact of COVID-19 on the availability of supplies, current employees’ availability to work, and employee COVID tests.
- Updated planned capital expenditure question to reference year 2021.
- Adjusted questions asking about changes from normal levels prior to the pandemic. Survey now asks how levels have changed from six months ago for remote work, demand and prices paid.
- Information consistent with previous phases regarding operations, workplace COVID-19 vaccinations and testing requirements, supply-chain disruptions, measures of overall well-being, and recovery expectations.
Weekly data are available at the national, sector, state and metropolitan statistical area (MSA) level for the largest MSAs and Puerto Rico through the SBPS interactive tool and downloadable files. Sector and subsector data are also available. Data collection began February 14. Results will be posted every Thursday from February 24 through April 21.