As Brazil faces a devastating COVID-19 surge, with daily deaths now double the peaks of mid-2020, small businesses across Rio de Janeiro are shuttering at alarming rates. But amid the crisis, Chinese-owned shops are defying the trend, leaning on tight-knit community networks to stay afloat.
🚨 “Every day feels like a battle,” one owner shared, describing empty streets and sales drops of over 60%. Yet while thousands of stores have closed, many Chinese businesses are pooling resources, sharing suppliers, and rotating staff shifts to cut costs. “We help each other like family,” another said.
💡 Experts credit this resilience to community-driven strategies: bulk purchasing to lower expenses, crowdfunding for struggling shops, and digital outreach to loyal customers. Meanwhile, Brazil’s broader economy remains in turmoil, with inflation hitting essentials like food and medicine.
🌆 For now, these entrepreneurs hold onto hope. “We’ve survived tough times before,” said a third-generation shopkeeper. “This wave will pass too.”
