"Over 500,000 Stores Opened in the US Since the Pandemic"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 500,000 new businesses have opened in the United States.

Yelp, a local search and reservation service company in the U.S., announced on the 11th (local time) that "over 500,000 businesses opened in the U.S. within one year after the pandemic declaration," CNBC reported. CNBC described this as "a positive sign that the U.S. economy is recovering."

According to Yelp, from March 11 last year, when WHO declared the COVID-19 pandemic, until the 1st of this month, 487,500 businesses opened in the U.S. Among these, 15% were related to the food service industry, such as restaurants.

It was also found that 260,800 businesses that had closed due to social distancing and lockdowns have resumed operations. Yelp stated, "Among these, 85,000 are related to the food service industry, such as restaurants."

Justin Norman, Vice President of Yelp, said in an interview with CNBC, "With the increasing number of Americans receiving COVID-19 vaccinations and government COVID-19 relief measures, businesses that struggled last year are expected to revive."

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