CHICAGO — Self-service laundry sales were largely positive in November, with three regions reporting increases, according to the most recent AmericanCoinOp.com unscientific StatShot survey.
November sales in the West were up 7.2% from November 2011. “Had a competitor temporarily shut down for repairs for several weeks, so that had some positive impact on my sales,” reports one owner from the region.
The Northeast reported November sales increased 4.3% from the prior November, due in part to Hurricane Sandy and its impact on the region, according to some operators.
In the South, year-to-year sales increased 0.3% in November. One store owner reports that his/her water and sewer rates have increased.
The Midwest was the only region to see sales decline—4.0%—for November. “Costs are going up. I have run out of ideas how to be more energy-efficient. I’ll have to raise my prices,” reports a store owner there.
Respondents were also asked about November 2012 front-loader prices — their lowest prices, highest prices, and whether the prices had changed since the previous November. The lowest and highest prices varied quite a bit.
In the West, customers can get a front-load wash for as little as $1.50. The lowest-priced front-load washes range from $1.50 to $6. Half of respondents report their lowest front-load wash price is higher than a year earlier, and the other half say they are unchanged.
The price range for the most expensive front-load washes in the Western region is $4.75 to $15—the broadest range among any of the regions. Half of respondents report their highest front-load wash price is higher than a year ago, and the other half say they are unchanged.
In the Northeast, the most inexpensive front-load prices are $2 to $3.50. Just 30% of operators has raised their prices in the last year, while the remainder has kept the prices unchanged.
When it comes to the most expensive wash, Northeastern customers are paying $4 to $7.75. Forty percent of operators has raised this price compared to November 2011, while the remainder has stood pat.
Low-end front-load prices in the South range from $2 to $2.50. Three-quarters of respondents has kept the same low price since November 2011, and the remaining one-quarter has raised the price.
The price range for the most expensive front-load washes in the South is $3.50 to $8. The breakdown of where the prices are today compared to a year ago is identical to the low-end figures.
The most inexpensive front-load prices in the Midwest range from $1.75 to $2.50. Approximately 38% of operators raised prices in the last year, while the remainder has kept prices unchanged.
When it comes to the high side of front-load prices, Midwestern customers face a range of $4 to $8. Some 13% of respondents has increased prices, with the remainder keeping the status quo.
AmericanCoinOp.com’s StatShot includes information on sales, wages, costs or other financial data based on anonymous survey information provided by industry owners and operators.
Audience members are invited to participate in these unscientific surveys, which are conducted online via a partner website, on a regular basis. Self-service laundry operators are encouraged to participate, as a greater number of responses will help to better define industry trends.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].