CHICAGO — Dry cleaning sales grew between 2.0% and 2.4% in every region of the United States last month, the latest AmericanDrycleaner.com StatShot survey reports. Meanwhile, all regions report having decreased payrolls since this time last year.
When business results for April were compared to the same month last year, operators in the Northeast collectively posted the biggest gain at 2.4%, followed by the South (2.2%), Midwest (2.1%) and West (2.0%).
“We are seeing much higher sales (up 18% from last year) in our store than other cleaners in our surrounding area (within 10 miles),” says an operator from the West. “It’s probably due to our pricing (we’re discounted dry cleaners with $2.50 base price), along with our smart marketing/ads and improvement in quality of press with new equipment.”
“Steady. The Midwest economy has been steady the past 6-9 months due in part to the ag industry and supporting businesses,” adds a Midwest cleaner.
