WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 8, 2021 – A shift to e-commerce hashelped many U.S. small businesses weather the pandemic, bute-commerce platforms are also viewed as the most important tool forthese businesses to increase their global reach, according to thelatest FedEx Trade Index (1).
In this survey of 1,000 U.S. small business leaders conducted byMorning Consult for FedEx, three in four respondents view expandingtrade between the U.S. and customers in other countries as a goodthing, with nearly half believing that expanded trade will helptheir business or company, specifically. An even higher percentage,78%, agree that increasing trade will lead to opportunities and jobcreation.
“E-commerce has been a lifeline for consumers and businesses ofall sizes during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to keep goods andglobal supply chains moving,” said Brie Carere, executive vicepresident, chief marketing and communications officer, FedEx Corp.“U.S. small business leaders clearly understand the power andpotential that trade can bring to their business and the economy.Though reaching international markets can seem overwhelming, wework every day to help connect our small and medium-sized customersto opportunities and markets around the world.”
Small business decision makers are also increasingly positiveabout the health of their business. Forty-five percent of surveyedbusiness owners say their revenue is currently increasing, up ninepercentage points from last year’s results (36%) though lower thanthe pre-pandemic figure of 56% in Fall 2019. Additionally, 62% saidthey expect their income to increase in the next year, afour-percentage point increase from last year’s Trade Index.
This year’s FedEx Trade Index also asked U.S. small businessleaders about their perspectives on environmental sustainability. Alarge majority of the U.S. small business leaderssurveyed—82%—agreed that companies are responsible for managingtheir own environmental impact. However, only about half ofrespondents said they felt like the government provided enoughresources for their business to be as environmentally sustainableas possible (53%) or adequately focuses on environmental issues intrade (50%).