CHICAGO — Drycleaning sales nationwide grew in April, according to a survey panel of industry operators tapped by AmericanDrycleaner.com to provide a variety of financial and cost data anonymously for use at the site.
Year-to-year estimates for April showed a 2.7% increase in sales among respondents, outpacing first-quarter economic growth (1.7%) nationwide. Operators in the Midwest showed the greatest average gains, with business up 5.75%; the South reported a 4.2% increase.
Considerable volatility in the competitive Eastern and Western states, however, brought these averages down. Operators in the East reported substantial gains and losses, ultimately averaging out to a scant 1.25% sales increase overall. Sales in the West saw a statistically insignificant decrease in sales of 0.4%.
AmericanDrycleaner.com will post information on sales, wages, costs and other financial data based on anonymous survey information provided by industry operators every month. If you would like to join the survey panel, e-mail [email protected].
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].