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San Francisco struggles with downtown recovery

Aug 15, 2023
Geolocation data shows the same level of foot traffic now, as in late March 2020.
An empty storefront in downtown San Francisco, also known as the city's financial district. Similar “for lease” signs dot the area.
Nova Safo/Marketplace

In China's most locked-down city, business can resume but recovery is a long way off

Feb 21, 2023
The Chinese city of Ruili, on the border with Myanmar, has had more lockdowns than almost any other place in China.
A jade seller and two women stare at their cellphones in Ruili. Vendors are trickling back to the Jiegao jade market, but customers are few and far between.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

Sundance Film Fest and other big events are back after battle with omicron

Jan 18, 2023
Hundreds of businesses rely on major commercial and arts gatherings for much of their annual income.
In Park City, Utah, Sundance's cancellation of in-person events hurt local businesses in 2022. Hotels and restaurants are looking forward to welcoming guests this year.
George Frey/Getty Images

Under China's new COVID rules, some face the same old restrictions

Nov 18, 2022
"It's really down to the person enforcing the rules," said one lawyer who was detained at a train station.
Some Chinese citizens are complaining of arbitrary local enforcement of strict COVID-19 policies, even after the announcement of softened virus measures.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

China's lockdowns continue to disrupt personal lives and the global economy

Sep 12, 2022
"There was a convenience shop owner nearby me who ate nothing but instant noodles for weeks," says Marketplace's Jennifer Pak.
A guard wears protective clothing as he stands next to a barrier fence outside a Beijing apartment under lockdown in June.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

China's lockdowns and other risks have companies looking to diversify supply chains

Apple, among other companies, may be seeking manufacturing options in India and other emerging markets.
Some large foreign businesses, seeing COVID restrictions and slowing growth in China, are considering other countries like India for their future manufacturing plans.
Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images

Pandemic darlings try to get past "the party's over"

Jul 20, 2022
Peloton, Netflix and others have to predict how their customers will behave. But amid pandemic disruption, it's an uphill battle.
Business has declined at some companies that flourished during COVID-19 lockdowns, like Netflix.
Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Shanghai's lockdown has eased, but businesses are still tallying the costs

Jul 14, 2022
Shanghai's lockdown crippled supply chains and logistics. Materials and transport costs climbed, and there have been personal struggles too.
Authorities put barriers around Shanghai streets to enforce the severe lockdown in the spring.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

How Shanghai's DIY supply chains helped us live through the long COVID lockdown

Jun 6, 2022
What happens when supply chains collapse and it's up to district governments, neighbors and friends to fill the gap?
A volunteer clad in safety gear delivers food during the lockdown while Shanghai residents were not allowed to leave their apartments.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

Cities in China not under lockdown still feel the pain

May 23, 2022
Dozens of cities are under lockdown or COVID-19 restrictions, and that is affecting businesses across China.
COVID-19 restrictions in China make it hard to attract new overseas investment and foreign talent, a member of the European Union chamber of commerce in China says.
Hu Chengwei/Getty Images