CHICAGO — September year-over-year drycleaning sales were higher, on average, across the country, according to the results of this month’s American Drycleaner StatShot survey.
With the country divided into four regions, the West posted the largest gain for the month, 5.3%, when compared to sales for September 2014. Following closely was the South with a 5.1% increase.
In the Northeast, September 2015 sales were 3.4% higher than those of September 2014. Year-over-year sales were up 3.2% in the Midwest.
Third-quarter 2015 sales were also positive, on average, for all regions. The West posted the largest year-over-year gain for the period, 5.0%. Next were the Northeast (4.3%) and South (4.2%). The Midwest saw its quarterly sales rise by 2.5% compared to the same period in 2014.
American Drycleaner asked respondents to the anonymous, unscientific survey to share their business outlook for the remainder of 2015, and their assessments were definitely mixed. Here is a sample:
- Northeast — “Excellent. Estimate will be up 5-7% over last year. One cleaner closed in area. Picking up many new customers.”
- South — “Depends on weather! Have not had much cool weather; this is where we do most of our work.”
- West — “Choppy road as financial concerns continue to affect sales. Sales have improved this year without a price increase.”
- Midwest — “Flat, although I just raised prices 7%. Piece counts, especially shirts, remain negative.”
- Northeast — “I expect sales to continue to decline.”
- Midwest — “Hoping sales for fourth quarter will be equal to last year. Not budgeting any significant increases.”
- South — “We look to continue on a similar path of double-digit increases as we close out the remainder of the year.”
- West — “It may drop 13% of sales compared with last year. I do not know exactly what is [the] cause.”
The StatShot surveys the drycleaning trade audience every month on a variety of financial issues. While the survey presents a snapshot of market performance, it should not be considered scientific.
American Drycleaner audience members are invited via e-mail to participate anonymously in the unscientific surveys, which are conducted online via a partner website. All dry cleaners 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 Dave Davis at [email protected].