Insee Focus · September 2021 · n° 247

Boom in distance selling and home delivery business start-ups during the health crisis

2020 saw the creation of 848,200 companies, which represents an increase of 4% on 2019 and therefore a new record, in spite of the pandemic. Business start-ups dropped off significantly in all business sectors during the first lockdown, with the exception of distance selling. The recovery seen in the spring was spectacular, driven in particular by home delivery. Conversely, the number of start-ups in the areas of passenger transport by taxi, other recreational and leisure activities and sports coaching remained low up until the end of the year.