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March 27, 2013
StatShot: Dry Cleaning Sales Performances Mixed in February

CHICAGO — Unlike last February, no help from weather this year

CHICAGO — Dry cleaning sales were a mixed bag in February, with two regions reporting minimal to modest gains while the other two lamented losses around 6%, according to results of this month’s AmericanDrycleaner.com StatShot survey.

An unseasonably warm, dry winter helped sales rebound in February 2012, but the weather wasn’t quite so favorable this February.

The West had the largest month-to-month sales increase at 3.5%. The South followed with a slight bump of 0.5%. Respondents from the Midwest and the Northeast saw their sales fall into the red—by 5.3% and 6.6%, respectively.

“Volume is down. Nothing else has changed dramatically, but sales have dropped off in first-quarter 2013,” says a cleaner from the Northeast. “We are down almost 5%, and I am trying to figure out why.”

“Conditions are stable but not improving,” says a Midwest respondent. “January sales gains were wiped out by snow days in February.”

September 26, 2012
August Dry Cleaning Sales Up in West, Northeast

CHICAGO — West only region to report better first-half profits compared to 2011

CHICAGO – The West and Northeast reported increased sales in August from one year ago, while dry cleaners in the Midwest and South saw their collective sales fall just short of August 2011 levels, according to the latest AmericanDrycleaner.com StatShot survey.

When comparing first-half profits for 2012 to those for 2011, the only region reporting growth was the West, and it was minimal.

In comparing August 2012 sales to August 2011, the West saw a 6.3% increase. Sales in the Northeast rose 2.4%. The South and the Midwest saw their collective sales each drop 0.2% from August 2011.

First-half profits this year in the West topped 2011’s first-half results by 0.5%. The other regions reported declining profits when compared to the previous year’s January through June: Northeast, down 4.0%; South, down 2.1%; Midwest, down 0.3%.

July 25, 2012
StatShot: Three of Four Regions See Dry Cleaning Sales Drop in June

CHICAGO — Northeast only bright spot with 0.6% month-to-month gain

CHICAGO – Last year at this time, it was three of four regions reporting June sales increases compared to the prior year. This year, it’s just the opposite, according to the results of this month’s AmericanDrycleaner.com StatShot survey.

The Northeast was the only region to register a June-to-June sales boost, and it was only 0.6%. Sales were down an identical 0.6% in the West, 3.4% in the South and 4.8% in the Midwest.

As for the second quarter, April through June, the numbers improved slightly. The Northeast posted a 1.0% quarter-to-quarter increase compared to 2011, followed closely by the West at 0.9%. Quarterly sales were down 1.6% in the Midwest and 2.7% in the South.

As one might imagine from those figures, comments offered by dry cleaners were somewhat gloomy:

June 27, 2012
StatShot: Across-the-Board Sales Gains Tempered by Dire Individual Reports

CHICAGO — Sales increases attributed in part to higher prices

CHICAGO – Dry cleaning sales for May grew in all four regions, the fourth month there have been across-the-board gains this year, according to the latest AmericanDrycleaner.com StatShot survey. Nationwide, sales increased 3.7%, while all regions also reported upticks in prices from May 2011.

Drycleaners in the West posted 8.3% growth when comparing May 2012 to May 2011. About 81% of respondents there reported a rise in sales, while the remainder saw their sales remain unchanged.

“May last year was very strong for us. Sales have been more consistent than last year. We are still looking at a 5-7% increase for the year,” says an operator from the West. Another reported adding 20% in tuxedo cleaning accounts.

The other regions saw smaller but still significant sales increases in May from one year ago: South, up 3.2%; Midwest, up 2.5%; and Northeast, up 2.1%.

“We’ve had our best five-month start ever,” raves a Midwest drycleaner.

But for every good report, there were as many or more bad.

May 30, 2012
StatShot: April Dry Cleaning Sales Up Across the Board; Payrolls Down on Average

CHICAGO — Dry cleaning sales grew between 2.0% and 2.4% in April

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.

February 29, 2012
StatShot: Under Clearer Skies, Dry Cleaners Post Sales Increases Across the Board in January

CHICAGO — The record snowfalls that impacted business in a big way last January were nowhere to be seen this January, as all four regions reported sales increases of at least 4%, according to results of the latest AmericanDrycleaner.com StatShot survey.

The Northeast benefited most, it seems, with sales there up 7.8% from January 2011. Not far behind was the Midwest, where January sales rose 6.3%. Sales in the South were up 4.9%, followed closely by the West and its 4.1% boost.

Annual comparative results were more varied across the country. The Northeast was again the leader, with 2011 annual sales increasing 7% from 2010. The West’s 2011 sales were 4.5% higher than the previous year’s, and the South garnered 1.4% more in sales last year than in 2010.

The Midwest was the only region to see its annual sales slip, down 0.4% from 2010.

Nationally, cleaners that responded to the unscientific survey averaged a 5.5% sales increase in January compared to January 2011 and a 2.3% sales increase in calendar year 2011 from 2010.

October 26, 2011
StatShot: Northeast Only Region to Post Increased Dry Cleaning Sales in September, Third Quarter

CHICAGO – The Northeast was the lone bright spot for September dry cleaning sales, posting a 5.7% gain compared to sales for September 2010, according to the latest AmericanDrycleaner.com StatShot survey.

In comparing September 2011 sales to September 2010, the South saw a 1.2% decrease and the Midwest a 1.4% decline. The West was hit the hardest, with sales down 6.1% from a year earlier.

“Even with aggressive promotions, sales continue to slide in Southern California,” reports a Western operator.

The Northeast was also the only region to post gains in third-quarter sales from a year ago. They were up 2.8%. The other regions reported declining sales when compared to the previous year’s July, August and September: South, down 0.9%; Midwest, down 3.1%; and the West, down 4.8%.

July 1, 2011
StatShot: All Regions Post Gains for First Time This Year

CHICAGO – Sales for May grew in all four regions, the first time there have been across-the-board gains this year, according to the latest AmericanDrycleaner.com StatShot survey. Nationwide, sales increased 3.0%, while all regions also reported upticks in prices from May 2010.

Drycleaners in the Northeast posted tremendous 10.2% growth when comparing May 2011 to May 2010. About 86% of respondents there reported a rise in sales, while equal shares of 7% saw their sales dip or remain unchanged.

May 31, 2011
American Drycleaner Publisher Buys Magazine from Crain Communications, Launches New Website

CHICAGO — Charles Thompson, the longtime publisher of American Drycleaner, has purchased the magazine from Crain Communications Inc. effective June 1. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

American Trade Magazines LLC (ATM) will continue to publish American Drycleaner, as well as American Laundry News and American Coin-Op, from offices in Chicago.

February 23, 2011
StatShot: Weather Hurts January Sales; Year-End Shows Promise

CHICAGO — Record snowfalls impacted already slow sales last month across the country, according to the most recent StatShot survey, while year-end 2010 results grew in only one region, but decreased at a slower rate overall.

CHICAGO — Record snowfalls impacted already slow sales last month across the country, according to the most recent StatShot survey, while year-end 2010 results grew in only one region, but decreased at a slower rate overall.

Drycleaners in the Northeast and Midwest were hit the hardest by winter weather, with January sales down 3.4% and 3.5%, respectively, from the same month in 2010. In the South and West, sales fell 2.4% in January from the year prior. Nationwide, average sales dropped 2.9%.

January 26, 2011
StatShot: Sales Surge in Northeast; Other Regions Mixed

CHICAGO — Sales surged in the Northeast in December and the fourth quarter of 2010, according to this month’s StatShot survey. Other regions experienced mixed results.

Sales grew a fast 7.8% among drycleaners in the Northeast in December, and 7.5% for the quarter. “Things are improving,” one operator says. “We’re devoting our marketing dollars to pickup and delivery.”

December 22, 2010
StatShot: Sales Grow in Three Regions, Marketing Costs Vary

CHICAGO — Sales grew in three regions of the United States in November 2010, according to this month’s StatShot survey. Drycleaners in the Northeast reported the biggest surge, with sales up 11.5% from November 2009.

Sales grew at a more modest pace in the South (1.9%) and Midwest (1.6%), helping lift the average year-to-year increase nationwide to 2.0%. Western operators continued to lose ground, however, with sales down 6.4%.

August 25, 2010
July Sales Down Nationwide; Operating Costs Vary

CHICAGO — Sales declined throughout the country in July 2010, according to participants in this month’s StatShot survey, while operational costs for the first six months of the year varied among regions.

Drycleaners in the Midwest reported the worst July sales figures, with an average 4.5% decline from July 2009; the Northeast fared almost as badly, with a 3.6% drop. Sales were off 3.3% in the West and 2.9% in the South.

June 23, 2010
May Sales Shaky; Prices Slow to Rise

CHICAGO — May drycleaning sales declined in three regions, according to operators participating in this month’s StatShot survey, while all regions reported a slight uptick in prices from 2009.

Drycleaners in the Midwest fared the worst, with average sales down 5.0% from May 2009. May sales in the South fell 2.4%, operators say, and sales in the West were down 1.5%. Only operators in the Northeast saw year-to-year sales rise, the survey says, with average sales up 0.9%.

February 11, 2010
Drycleaners Report Sales Decline for December, Improved Conditions

CHICAGO — Drycleaners across the country continue to report a decline in sales for December, but many indicate that business conditions were not as bad at the end of the year as they were compared to 2009 as a whole, according to a recent AmericanDrycleaner.com StatShot survey.

Drycleaners in the Northeast report a 1.2% decline in sales for December 2009 compared to December 2008, which is a marked improvement from the 3.7% drop they report for the fourth quarter of 2009 and 6.1% drop for 2009 as a whole compared to the same time periods in 2008.

October 10, 2007
Base Prices Higher in Northeast

Drycleaners in the Northeast maintain the highest base prices, according to AmericanDrycleaner.com’s survey panel of industry operators who provide financial and cost data anonymously for use at the site.

As shown in last month’s StatShot report, drycleaners in the region were also most likely to raise prices earlier this year, and raised prices faster than any other area, with an average increase of 8.8%.