LAUREL, Md. — The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) reports it has partnered with Starchup, a digital platform that builds custom mobile/web apps, to offer DLI members in good standing a 15% discount on smart-route mobile technology for their drycleaning customers.
“Implementing a system on this level is something many cleaners can’t do on their own,” says Mary Scalco, CEO at DLI. “It’s just too involved and detailed.”
The service answers the need for garment cleaning without having the customer come to a physical location, DLI notes.
Many customers also want the flexibility to select their pickup and delivery times, DLI further indicates. Traditional routes rely on a fixed timetable so a customer can only send items in on, say, Wednesdays or every other Tuesday.
This service is custom-branded for each cleaner and allows customers to place an order anytime from any device, DLI says.
“Starchup helps DLI members run optimal routes, with the capability to offer static routes, on-demand service, or a hybrid of the two,” says Rob Johnson, Starchup’s head of marketing.
“Starchup’s service allows members to minimize expenses and maximize income. The convenience of routes often produces increases in orders. Starchup has seen a 7% increase in order volume among cleaners who adopted the service,” he adds.
Starchup CEO Nick Chapleau says teaming with DLI will help members offer a better customer service experience through technology.
“It’s no secret that consumers are doing more of their spending online; Starchup helps DLI members capture this spending in a service that more than pays for itself,” indicates Chapleau.
Scalco says the service would help members offer a new level of convenience for customers.
“Like it or not, the public perception is that most dry cleaners are, generally, inconvenient, unnecessary, and behind the times,” she says.
“We’re hitting this image problem head-on by offering this service. We’re giving DLI members the opportunity to stand out as technologically advanced, attuned to their customers’ desires, and ready to serve any time.”
With this more advanced route system, DLI says, cleaners are able to operate a smarter business. “Why reinvent the wheel when Starchup is more than willing to help.”
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