CHICAGO — Vended laundry operators from the South posted the strongest year-over-year sales gains in March (up an average of 7.1%), compared to other regions, according to results of this month’s American Coin-Op StatShot survey.
Trailing right behind them were operators from the West, who posted an average 5.9% sales increase when compared to March 2014. Northeast and Midwest operators also reported sales gains, up 3.8% and 2.5%, on average, respectively.
Western operators are experiencing healthy 2015 sales thus far, as first-quarter sales in the region are up an average of 7.8% over first-quarter 2014.
Operators from the South and Northeast also reported first-quarter 2015 sales gains, up an average of 5.7% and 3.8%, respectively.
Midwest operators were the only ones to see a slight dip in first-quarter sales, down an average of 0.2%. Market conditions in the area are “unchanged” or are “soft,” according to two operators there.
Market conditions are “depressed” in the Northeast, according to one operator there. “Not a lot of good-paying jobs around the area,” he/she says.
“Mandatory water restriction is bringing more homeowners in to use the Laundromat in order to reduce their water use at home,” says an operator from the West.
“[Market conditions are] steady,” says an operator from the South. “Revenue and expense ratios held pretty well through the weather extremes of this winter.”
The unscientific StatShot survey includes information on sales, wages, costs or other financial data based on survey information provided anonymously by vended laundry store owners.
American Coin-Op audience members are invited via e-mail to participate in the surveys, which are conducted online. All self-service laundry owners/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].