Current Trends in the Coin-Operated Laundry Industry

With advances in technology, the rise of the Internet and social media, and changing customer demographics, the coin-operated laundry industry is shifting dramatically. These changes can be daunting for long-time owners of laundromats striving to keep up and new investors looking to open a laundromat. Staying on top of these trends can help attract customers to your laundromat and keeps your laundry business thriving. Let’s look at some of the most recent trends in the coin-operated laundry industry right now.

Coinless Payment

In today’s world, more and more customers opt for credit and debit cards rather than cash. In fact, a recent survey showed that only 11% of the population prefers using cash for purchases. The same is true in the laundry industry, which is why many laundromats and on-premise laundry facilities are moving toward card payment systems, like the SpyderWash Credit Card Payment System. By eliminating the need for carrying and collecting change, these card systems add convenience for both laundromat owners and their customers, help improve laundromat safety, and actually encourage customer loyalty.

Added Controls

Technological advances in laundry equipment have given laundromat owners and patrons more control than ever before over their laundry equipment and business.

More control means customers get the exact wash and dry experience they want, turning them into happy, loyal patrons, which in turns leads to increased laundromat profits. The controls are also helping laundromat owners save on utility bills, avoid costly maintenance issues, and improve their bottom line.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is becoming more and more important to both laundromat investors and customers. High utility bills from energy and water use are among top concerns of laundromat owners and potential investors, whereas customers are also becoming more environmentally-conscious and frequenting more sustainable, eco-friendly businesses. Thankfully, commercial laundry equipment is more energy-efficient than ever before. The latest laundry equipment uses less water, has shorter dry times, and provides more controls to adjust levels and temperature – all of which help reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, and make it easier to run an energy-efficient laundry facility. Many laundromats have started to upgrade their commercial laundry equipment in an effort to improve energy efficiency and attract customers.

Community involvement

Another big trend in the laundry industry right now is community involvement. Laundromats are a key element of the communities they serve, and more and more laundry business owners are starting to realize that.  They are doing their part to get involved and help their communities thrive through free laundry days, volunteer efforts, and charitable donations.

On a large scale, The LaundryCare Foundation (coordinated by the Coin Laundry Association) supports Free Laundry Day events around the nation, which provides laundry services and education to those in need. It also helps those impacted by flooding, hurricanes, and other natural disasters connect with coin-operated laundries in the surrounding areas during the recovery process. Whirlpool’s Care Counts laundry program has worked to install washers and dryers in schools, which has increased attendance, classroom and extra-curricular participation, and motivation among high-risk students.

Whether you’re looking to get the latest in commercial laundry equipment, or continue growing your laundromat customer base in today’s competitive environment, Martin-Ray Laundry Systems can help.