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Summary of our market study
The total French dyeing and laundry market is estimated at over 1.8 billion euros.
worldwide, the market is worth 180 billion.
The French market has undergone a transition, with a notable decline in the number of dry-cleaning establishments due to pricing and regulatory pressures.
85% of dry-cleaning entities are independent, with no affiliation to a network. Their predominance has been challenged by the decline in the number of establishments. In 2000, there were some 10,000 dry-cleaning facilities, but this figure has fallen by more than two-thirds.
Seasonality plays an important role in market dynamics, with peaks during the vacation months.
Urbanization, with over three-quarters of the French population living in cities, and the rise in the number of single-person households, which now account for over a third of all households, have altered demand.
The expansion of healthcare services and the influx of tourists to France are also factors driving market growth.
The trend for people to do their laundry at home, and the advent of multi-functional washing appliances, are real threats to the sector.
New digital players have disrupted traditional models by offering extended hours and home services, responding to the demands of an urban lifestyle and contributing to a market shift towards organized networks at the expense of independent outlets.
Dry cleaning and laundry players
Multinational suppliers
- ELIS - A pioneer in the sector, ELIS stands out as a global player offering textile, hygiene and business service solutions.
- Initial Services - Rentokil Group
- MEWA Textil Management - A leading name in textile management
Retail laundries
- 5àsec - Brand synonymous with tradition and convenience
- Aqualogia - Leading ecological dry-cleaning brand.
- Sequoia Pressing - Champion of the industry's green revolution
Startups at the cutting edge of technology
- Be Preppy - digital platform facilitating on-demand dry cleaning and laundry services
- Zipjet
- Le Lavoir Moderne
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Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Presentation and definition of the dry cleaning market
The French dry-cleaning and laundry sector, long marked by traditional practices, is now at a turning point. Divided between retail dry cleaners, which cater to the needs of private individuals, and industrial dry cleaners, geared towards high-volume business for professional customers (hotels, restaurants), the market is undergoing a profound transformation under the impact of new environmental regulations.
In 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/2619 redefines standards for the use of solvents in cleaning processes, gradually banning historically employed substances such as perchlorethylene. This Europe-wide legislation is encouraging companies to turn to more environmentally-friendly solutions, such as new bio-sourced solvents and solvent-free dry-cleaning processes.
Competitively, the sector remains fragmented: although chains such as 5 à Sec or Sequoia have emerged, around 85% of businesses remain independent structures (not franchised). These chains have to deal with customers who are increasingly concerned about ecological issues, preferring sustainable, transparent services. New technologies are also playing a central role in this transition, with the rise of online booking platforms, automated lockers and traceability applications, making it possible to track the environmental footprint of the services used.
In addition, there is a renewed interest in premium and individualized services. Faced with quality-conscious customers whose lifestyles have changed in the wake of the pandemic, dry cleaners that focus on personalized services, combining know-how and technology, are able to offer their customers the best possible service.s, combining know-how and technology, are succeeding in standing out from the crowd, while meeting increasingly stringent sustainability requirements. Startup MyLittlePressing, for example, has been offering fast, flexible, on-demand home dry-cleaning services since 2023. Its fund-raising of €685,000 in 2023 did not go unnoticed and clearly shows that this new trend is resonating with consumers.
1.2 Global market on the rise
Global wholesale laundry market size (***) World, ****-****, in billions of dollars Source: ****
The global market for laundry and dry cleaning services is estimated at $***.* billion in **** and is expected to reach $***.** billion by ****, growing at a compound annual growth rate (***) of *.*% over the period ****-****. This market encompasses a wide range ...
1.3 A growing national market
change in the size of the light vehicle maintenance and repair market France, ****-****, in millions of euros Source: ****
This subclass includes :
Laundering, dry-cleaning, ironing, etc., of all articles of clothing (***) and textile materials, carried out on behalf of private individuals
Retail laundries, including depots
Self-service laundries
Supply of linen, workwear ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 The hotel and catering sector pulls in the wholesale laundry sector
Number of employees in the hotel and catering sector France, ****-****, in thousands Source: ****
The graph shows the evolution of salaried employees in the hotel and catering sector in France from **** to ****, expressed in thousands of employees. After a steady rise between **** and **** (***), **** marks a sharp fall to ***.* thousand, a direct ...
2.2 The healthcare sector: a key driver for the laundry industry
The facts are alarming: French healthcare establishments are facing a real systemic crisis, marked by repeated bed closures, delays in care and over-recourse to emergency departments. By ****, *% of hospital capacity in the Medical-Surgical-Obstetrics (***) sector will have been closed, and **% of these closures will have been due to pressure on staffing levels, ...
2.3 French dry-cleaning habits
How many times a year do you go to the dry cleaners? France, December ****, in Source: ****
The December **** IPSOS survey shows that **% of French people say they go to the dry cleaners at least once a year. Of these, **% go more regularly, up to five times a year. These figures show ...
2.4 The second-hand trend
How often do the French buy second-hand? France, ****, in Source: ****
In ****, **% of French people had bought a second-hand item at least once, and **% said they made this type of purchase regularly, every * to * months. These figures show the strong adoption of second-hand consumption in France, anchored in consumer habits.
French priorities ...
2.5 Focus on ironing
Households equipped with irons France, ****, as % of total Source: ****
The French market for irons is undergoing a profound transformation, marked by a steady decline in sales and a radical shift in consumer habits. In ****, sales of irons fell by *.*%, while those of steam power stations recorded an even steeper decline of ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Value chain
Machinery and equipment suppliers:
These players produce and sell the equipment needed by laundries for linen processing, such as industrial washing machines, tumble dryers, ironers and ironing tables. They guarantee modern equipment, energy efficiency and compliance with safety standards. Example: Miele Professional, a company renowned for its professional cleaning equipment.
Manufacturers ...
3.2 Volume and geographical breakdown of companies and employees
A) The retail laundry sector
Number of companies in the retail laundry sector France, ****-****, in units Source: ****
The graph shows the evolution of the number of businesses in the retail laundry sector in France between **** and ****. There has been a steady decline over the years, from *,*** businesses in **** to *,*** in ...
3.3 A fragmented and unstable sector
For this sub-section, we have taken the NAF code **.**B for retail laundries (***).
Business start-ups and closures in the retail laundry sector France, ****-****, in units Source: ****
The graph shows the evolution of business creations and write-offs in the retail laundry sector in France from **** to ****. The figures show a trend ...
3.4 Dry Cleaning Franchises
franchisey /toutelafranchise
The dry cleaning franchise market in France is based on a few major players, but it remains highly diversified, with several options for investors. The main brands include *àsec and Aqualogia, each with its own specific features in terms of profitability and support.
*àsec is a long-standing player, ...
3.5 The aqua blue concept
The Aqua Blue concept is an innovative solution for those wishing to open a dry cleaning business without the constraints of a traditional franchise. Unlike traditional franchise models, which impose entry fees, royalties and a strict graphic charter, Aqua Blue offers a more flexible formula, with no additional costs, enabling a ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Offer typology
The laundry market is characterized by a diversified offering that can be grouped into four main service categories:
Traditional laundry or dry cleaning:
Traditional laundry covers the cleaning, ironing and care of everyday clothes. These services are offered by local stores and focus on washing shirts, pants, suits and other everyday ...
4.2 Dry cleaning prices
Source: ****
This comparison table shows the average prices charged by different dry cleaners in France for various types of clothing. *àsec is the most affordable brand for most items, with a jacket price of €*.** and a folded shirt price of €*.**, ideal for customers looking for an economical option. conversely, Aqualogia and ...
4.3 Ecological dry-cleaning
Ecological dry-cleaning in France is enjoying strong growth, largely thanks to the growing adoption of aquanettoyage. Developed some thirty years ago, this cleaning method uses water as its main solvent, replacing conventional organic solvents such as perchloroethylene, once ubiquitous in traditional dry cleaners.
Aquanetting is particularly well-suited to delicate textiles such ...
4.4 Home Laundry
The home laundry sector is undergoing significant expansion in France, driven by profound changes in consumer habits, particularly since the Covid-** pandemic. The traditional dry cleaning market is in slight decline, with the gradual closure of physical collection points, making way for new home service platforms that meet the growing needs ...
5 Regulations
5.1 European regulations
Regulation (***) no. ***/**** of March **, **** on detergents:
This regulation establishes common technical criteria for detergents to ensure harmonization within the EU. It imposes specific requirements in terms of surfactant biodegradability and conformity control. Laundries must comply with these standards for the cleaning products they use to ensure a low environmental footprint while ...
5.2 French regulations
Decree no. ****-*** of March **, ****:
Decree no. ****-*** of March **, **** frames safety standards for washing machines and spin-dryers made available to the public in coin-operated laundries. It requires operators to regularly check that safety devices are working properly and to keep a record of these checks. The decree aims to guarantee ...
6 Positioning the players
6.1 Player segmentation
Source: ****
- Elis Groupe
- INITIAL BTB (Rentokil)
- Mewa Textil Management
- KALHYGE
- Anett
- BARDUSCH
- 5àSec Portugal
- R&O (Baleo Pressing & Matelo Laverie)
- AQUALOGIA
- Sequoia Pressing
- Soyez BCBG
- Wast
- Fidensio
- Mib Clean
List of charts presented in this market study
- Number of companies in the retail laundry sector
- Number of employees in the retail laundry sector
- Number of employees in the wholesale laundry sector
- Number of establishments in the wholesale laundry sector
- Market size trends in retail laundries and dry cleaners
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Latest news
Elis Group to set course for La Défense in 2025 - 08/05/2024
- - Elis, the French cleaning and hygiene company, has taken a lease on the Kupka A tower in Puteaux, marking the largest transaction of the year in this sector.
- - Initially, around 650 Elis employees and service providers will move into the tower, with a planned capacity of up to 900.
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