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StatShot: Midwest Posts Best November Sales Gain, Lowest Front Loader Prices

CHICAGO — Coin laundry store owners in the Midwest had a lot to be thankful for in November, as the region posted the strongest gain in year-over-year sales, up 4.9%, according to results from this month’s American Coin-Op StatShot survey.

Store owners in the West posted a 4.7% year-over-year sales gain last month, while owners in the Northeast and South posted modest increases, up 1.5% and 0.4%, respectively.

Store owners in the Midwest also posted the lowest available wash price for a front loader in November, with lowest prices ranging from 75 cents to $4. Roughly 71% of store owners in the region say these prices are unchanged compared to the same time last year, while 21.4% say it’s higher. A small percentage (7.1%) say the prices are lower.

Highest available wash price for a front loader in the Midwest last month ranged from $3.50 to $10. Majority of store owners there (78.6%) say these prices are unchaged compared to the same month last year, while 14.3% say it’s higher. Roughly 7% say the prices are lower.

The lowest available wash price for a front loader in the West in November ranged from $1.50 to $4. The majority of store owners there (85.7%) say these prices are unchanged compared to the same month last year, while 14.3% say they are higher. No respondents say these prices are lower.

The highest available wash price for a front loader in the West last month ranged from $4.75 to $9. Roughly 71% say these prices are unchanged compared to the same month last year, while 28.6% say they are higher. No respondents say the prices are lower.

Store owners in the South shared similar feelings regarding the highest available wash price for their front-load machines, with the majority (62.5%) saying their highest prices are unchanged compared to the same month last year. Roughly 38% say their highest prices are higher this year. Highest available wash prices for a front loader in the South in November ranged from $2.50 to $8.50.

Lowest available wash prices for a front loader in the South last month ranged from $1.50 to $3.50. The majority of store owners (87.5%) say these prices are unchanged compared to the same month last year, while 12.5% say they are higher. No respondents say these prices are lower.

Stores in the Northeast reported similar lowest available wash prices for front loaders in November, ranging from $1.50 to $3.50. While roughly 31% say these prices are higher compared to last November, 69.2% say they are unchanged. No respondents say these prices are lower.

Highest available wash price for a front loader in the Northeast last month ranged from $3.75 to $7.75, with 76.9% of store owners saying these prices are unchaged compared to last November. Roughly 23% say these prices are higher.

“Minimum wage proposals willl increase minimum wage to $11 per hour in Massachusetts by 2016, a 30% increase,” says one store owner from the region. “Proposed mininum wage increases in Massachusetts will be a huge burden,” echoes another.

Regarding market conditions in their area, other store owners report seeing spikes in sewer and water rates.

“Clean Water Act is causing water utility cost to rise by 15% as of Jan. 15,” says a store owner from the South.

“Water and sewer prices are advancing at about 35% per year,” says a Midwest store owner. “It will be difficult to maintain current prices much longer.”

The unscientific StatShot survey includes information on sales, wages, costs or other financial data based on anonymous survey information provided by industry owners and operators.

American Coin-Op audience members are invited via e-mail to participate in the surveys, which are conducted online via a partner website. All self-service laundry owners and operators are encouraged to participate, as a greater number of responses will help to better define industry trends.

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Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].