CHICAGO — Roughly 56% of coin laundry store owners and operators believe their drop-off laundry service profits will “stay the same” in 2015, according to results of this month’s American Coin-Op Your Views survey.
While 22.2% of respondents believe their drop-off laundry service “profits will increase,” 11.1% say they will decrease.
The remaining 11.1% of respondents say they are not sure how their drop-off laundry service will fare this year.
Approximately 44% of coin laundry operators rate the profitability of their drop-off laundry service as “average.”
While one-third of respondents rate the profitability of their drop-off service as “above average,” 22.2% rate it as “below average.”
No respondents rated the profitability of their drop-off service as “excellent” or “poor.”
Operators who were surveyed charge an average of $1.01 per pound for their drop-off laundry service. Individual responses ranged from 85 cents per pound to $1.25 per pound.
For 44.4% of respondents, “trusting an attendant” with the responsibilities of drop-off service is the greatest challenge in managing the offering, while 11.1% said it is “dealing with problem garments.”
The remaining 44.4% of respondents cited “other” problems, like finding employees who are willing to perform the duties, or limited business interested in the service.
No respondent chose “customer complaints” or “designating machinery for the work” as a challenge in managing drop-off service work.
Two-thirds of operators surveyed say they “post in-store signage” to market their drop-off service work, in conjunction with “[offering] coupons” (22.2%) and “[passing] out leaflets in the community” (11.1%).
A third of respondents employ “other” tactics to promote their drop-off laundry service, like visiting other businesses, or posting outdoor signage.
No respondents said they “advertise in local media,” to promote their drop-off laundry service.
Roughly 44% “don’t market [their] drop-off laundry service.”
In managing drop-off laundry service, one respondent advises others to “use water-efficient machines [and] offer same-day service.”
“We own commercial laundry equipment in our campground and hotel,” says another respondent. “The equipment is for our own use or the use of our guests.”
American Coin-Op’s Your Views survey presents an unscientific snapshot of the trade audience’s viewpoints at a particular moment. Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Subscribers to American Coin-Op e-mails are invited to participate anonymously in an industry survey each month. The entire American Coin-Op audience is encouraged to participate, as a greater number of responses will help to better define owner/operator opinions and industry trends.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].