The dry cleaning market - Italy (2024)

1.2 Global Market

The global dry cleaning market grows steadily from **** to ****, from $**.* billion to $***.* billion, an increase of **.* percent. The average annual increase shows a sustained industry expansion, with a particularly significant progression between **** and ****, a period in which there is an increase of more than $** billion in just three years

Value Global dry cleaning market (***) World,****-****,Billion dollars Market Research

The rapid growth of this market is a direct result of urbanization, the modernization of society, the rise of the healthcare and health services sector, and also the growth of single-person households. Factors expected to have a positive impact on this market are the growth of the hospitality industry, technological advances in home appliances, more hectic lifestyles in urban centers, and lower prices.

The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for this service. In fact, it accounts for nearly **percent (***) of the global market. it is followed by North America and Western Europe, which have almost identical market shares. Eastern Europe and the Middle East are the fastest growing segments, with ** percent and **.* percent, respectively, followed by Africa and Asia-Pacific, which are around ** percent growth.

Dry cleaners and laundries are a subcategory of the cleaning and laundry services market. This segment ...

1.3 Italian Market

This graph was obtained by combining data on the value of the industrial and artisanal laundry market, extrapolated from specific sources and integrated to provide a comprehensive overview of the dry cleaning sector in Italy. Between **** and ****, the value of the market shows steady growth, rising from €*.** billion in **** to €*.** billion in ****, an overall increase of **.* percent. The most obvious increase is linear, with no significant fluctuations, reflecting stable and continuous growth in the industry. Value Italian Dry Cleaning Market (***) Italy,****-****,Billions of euros MonitoraItalia; Restart Italy between **** and ****, the turnover of companies active in the dry cleaning sector in Italy declined followed by a recovery. After an initial slight growth from €*.** billion in **** to €*.** billion in ****, a significant decline is observed in ****, with a **.* percent decrease compared to ****, likely attributable to the effects of the pandemic. From **** onward, the sector showed a steady recovery, reaching *.** billion in ****, an overall increase of **.* percent from the low point in ****.

Turnover of companies active in the dry cleaning sector Italy,****-****,Billions of euros Istat

The main associations in the dry cleaning industry are listed below.

Assofornitori is the main Italian association/consortium that brings together all the companies that dedicate their ...

1.4 Import and Export

Analyzing the import and export of washing machines and dryers is crucial in the context of market research on laundries, as these machines are a key element for the industry, both in terms of equipment upgrades and competitiveness. Trends in international trade can indicate trends in innovation, dependence on foreign suppliers or growth opportunities for domestic manufacturers. The graph shows a gradual decline in Italian exports, from $*** million in **** to $***.** million in ****, a reduction of *.* percent. Imports also follow a fluctuating but growing dynamic, rising from $***.** million in **** to $***.** million in ****, marking a ** percent increase. The coverage ratio, which measures the ratio of exports to imports, decreased from *.** percent in **** to *.** percent in ****, indicating a growing dependence on imports.

Import and Export for Washing Machines and Dryers HS **** Italy,****-****,Million Dollars UN Comtrade

In ****, China is confirmed as the main supplier of washing machines and dryers to Italy, with an import value of $***.** million, representing almost double that of the second country, Poland, with $***.** million. This is followed by Turkey and Germany, with **.** and **.** million, respectively. The other suppliers, including Slovakia, Sweden and Romania, contribute significantly less, all under $** million. This heavy reliance on China highlights a significant concentration in ...

2.1 Laundry in Italy

Showing the average monthly household expenditure on laundry services is key to understanding consumer habits and the economic burden of these services on household budgets. This data makes it possible to assess demand trends in the sector and identify the impact of economic or social events, such as a pandemic, on consumer behavior.

The graph shows stable spending of * euros between **** and ****, followed by a sharp drop in **** to * euros, a ** percent reduction, probably due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-**. In ****, spending rises again to * euros, holding steady until ****.

Average monthly household expenditure (***) for Laundry services ATECO **.**.** Italy,****-****,current euros Istat

2.2 Demand in terms of production

To fully assess Italy's ability to meet domestic demand and feed the global market, it is essential to also consider production data. By monitoring production sold, industrial efficiency and the adaptation of supply to market needs can be measured, identifying opportunities for growth.

The graph shows a fluctuating trend in the production sold of washing machines and dryers in Italy between **** and ****. After a significant increase of **.* percent from **** to ****, peaking at ***.** million, there is a gradual decline until ****, when the value reaches ***.** million. From **** there is a consistent recovery, culminating in a peak value of ***.** million in ****, with an overall increase of ** percent from the **** low.

Production sold - m.ia of Washing Machines and Dryers Italy,****-****,Millions of euros Istat

Between **** and ****, production in terms of quantity of washing machines and dryers in Italy shows a fluctuating trend. Starting from *.** million pieces in ****, there is a significant increase in ****, peaking at *.** million. Thereafter, production shrinks in **** and ****, falling to *.** and *.** million pieces, respectively. In ****, the low for the period is reached at *.** million, but this is followed by a recovery in ****, when production rises again to *.** million. Production realized in quantity - p/st of Washing Machines and ...

2.3 Geographical distribution of demand

To analyze the geographic distribution of demand, we looked at the percentage of households that own washing machines and dryers in different regions; in fact, the demand for laundry services is inversely proportional to the number of washing machines and dryers, in that where there are more washing machines and dryers people have less need to use laundry services. The Istat database provides us with this information. It shows that there is a higher concentration of washing machines(***). The national average for washing machines is **.*% of households while for dryers it is **.*% of households. At the level of individual regions, Liguria is the region with the highest concentration of washing machines (***).

Istat

The map shows the average monthly household expenditure on laundry services in Italy in ****, broken down by geographic area. The North records the highest expenditure at * euros, represented by the darkest shade. The Center stands at *.** euros, with a lighter hue than the North, while the South and Islands show a slightly higher value of *.** euros, with an intermediate hue.

2.4 Online interest in "Laundries"

The graph shows the trend of online interest in laundries in Italy, as measured by Google Trends Index, over the period from October **** to October ****. Interest fluctuates between lows of ** and highs of **. After an initial peak of ** in December ****, interest gradually declines until it reaches a low of ** between April and May ****. A recovery is then observed with a significant peak of ** in November ****, probably associated with higher seasonal demand. In the following months, interest stabilizes around ** points with slight variations, suggesting a more regular trend in ****.

Online interest for Laundries Italy,****-****,Google Trends Index Google Trends

Tuscany leads with the highest value of ***, followed by Lombardy (***) complete the top of the ranking. Abruzzo, Sardinia and Friuli-Venezia Giulia rank just below, with values between ** and **. Southern regions, such as Puglia, Basilicata, Lazio and Campania, have lower values, with Campania finishing with the lowest of **.

2.5 Demand trends

As we have seen in section *.* devoted to the general picture of the Italian market, the laundry sector has been growing in recent years (***); this growth has been driven by an increase in demand for laundry services There are several factors that are driving up demand for laundry services. The reason for this rapid expansion is quite simple. As explained by Detergo , the growth has been due primarily to four factors:

Demographic changes Changes in the workforce Economic changes Exploitation of the tourism sector

The following table explains these factors in detail.

3.1 Number of enterprises active in the laundry industry

The number of enterprises active in the laundry sector in Italy has declined steadily from **** to ****, from **,*** to **,***, an overall reduction of *.* percent. The contraction has been steady, with the steepest decline between **** and ****, followed by a slowdown in subsequent years.

Number of active enterprises in the laundry sector Italy, ****-****, in units Source: ****

The number of people employed in the laundry sector declined between **** and ****, from **,*** to **,***, a decrease of *.* percent. The decline was most pronounced between **** and ****, followed by a slight recovery in ****. This trend reflects a similar dynamic to the contraction of active businesses, showing a correlation between the reduction of businesses and the number of workers employed in the sector.

Number of active enterprises in the industrial laundry sector Italy, ****-****, in units Source: ****

Between **** and ****, sole proprietorships in the laundry sector declined by * percent, from **,*** to **,***. General and limited partnerships also experienced significant reductions, by **.* percent and **.* percent respectively. Limited liability companies, on the other hand, increased by **.* percent, growing from *,*** to *,***, while cooperatives almost halved their presence, from ** to ** (***). Other forms of businesses and partnerships other than SNCs and SASs remained stable or marginally changed.

Year Sole proprietor, freelancer and self-employed person General partnership Limited ...

3.2 The Value Chain

The value chain in the dry cleaning industry includes several key steps that contribute to the creation of value for the customer. It begins with the supply of raw materials and equipment, such as specific detergents, environmentally friendly solvents, washing machines, and supporting materials such as hangers and customized packaging. Inbound logistics involves supplier management and secure storage of materials. Operational activities include order receipt, registration, and labeling of garments, followed by washing, drying, ironing, and quality control, with the addition of any repairs or customization. Customer service focuses on delivery of garments, both in-house and at home, communication via digital notifications, and advice on special treatments. Marketing and sales include promotions, digitization through online platforms, branding, and loyalty programs to attract and retain customers. After-sales support includes handling complaints, continuous improvement through feedback, and offering dedicated discounts. Outbound logistics ensures efficient distribution and careful packaging to enhance the customer experience. In addition, cross-functional activities such as the use of management software, staff training, and investments in sustainability (***) enhance the efficiency and positive impact of the entire value chain. Quick, personalized, and sustainability-conscious service is a distinctive element in building customer loyalty and differentiating from competitors.

3.3 Geographical distribution of traditional laundries

The map depicts the geographic distribution of laundries in Italy in ****, with a greater concentration in northern regions, particularly Lombardy (***), showing a clear disparity between different areas of the country.

3.4 The Main Companies Offering This Service

Rome Luxury Laundry & Sanitation Srls

Based in Rome, this company specializes in luxury laundry services, offering stain removal, washing and sanitizing treatments on various types of fabrics. It has a store in central Rome and a workshop in San Cesareo. It caters to both private and business clients, including hotels and public entities, also offering home pickup and delivery services. In **** it had a turnover of €***,*** and employs ** people.

Lavanderia Meridionale Srl

Located in Gragnano, in the province of Naples, Lavanderia Meridionale Srl offers linen washing, rental and sales services for tourist accommodation facilities. Founded in the ****s by the Rinaldi brothers, the company has more than ** years of experience in the industry. Its services are aimed at accommodation facilities in Puglia, Calabria and neighboring regions, guaranteeing pickup and delivery at the customer's business with company vehicles to ensure speed and punctuality. The quality and safety of the entire production process are ISO ****:**** and UNI EN *****:**** certified.

Tintoria Lombarda S.p.A.

Founded in ****, Tintoria Lombarda is one of the oldest and most respected traditional laundries in Italy. It offers washing and ironing services for garments, home textiles and specialty items. Based in Milan, it serves a diverse clientele, including individuals ...

3.5 Self Service Laundries

A self-service laundry consists of making washing machines and dryers available to the public for occasional use on a per-pound or per-piece fee. Self-service laundries have boomed in some parts of the world, but they are not uniformly popular, as their spread is closely tied to demographic and social factors. In Italy, in fact, the business originally did not find solid ground due to low demand-a large majority of Italians own a washing machine at home. Recently, however, with the rapid transformation of Italian society, dictated in part by the growing tourism of foreigners and out-of-town students, self-service laundries are rapidly transforming the market.

Laundries are generally located in city centers or near housing areas (***) of this network. Today, laundromats can be found all over the country, Milan being the city that has the most[***]. According to a survey conducted by Lavanderia Bloomest, one of the largest installers of self-service washing machines in Italy, the average laundromat accommodates *,*** different customers. In addition to the demographic groups and reasons mentioned above, there are two explanations as to why people who already have a washing machine at home use laundromat services:

Most households in Italy do not have dryers, so people wash their ...

4.1 Analysis of types of laundries

In dry cleaners , or traditional laundries, precisely so-called dry cleaning is performed, which, instead of using water uses industrial organic solvents (***) and ironing of garments that are difficult to wash and iron such as woolen blankets, which may felt and are bulky, wedding dresses, or men's and women's jacket-pant suits and women's jacket-skirt suits, especially in particularly fine fabrics.

Industrial laundries do not cater to individual users and families: the services provided are the same, but they meet the needs of large users such as textile industries, large hotel chains, etc. They have very large warehouses and larger machinery than those of a traditional laundry, and are equipped to be able to cater for the washing of huge quantities of linens and garments. In an industrial laundry there is usually a counting department, in which the garments received are counted and weighed, and then sent in special bags to the washing department, which is equipped with larger and faster machinery than that of a normal dry cleaner. Once washed, clothes, sheets, tablecloths, etc., are sorted according to size and sent to a final department, where special machines dry, iron and bag the individual garments, carefully folded

Self-service laundries, also called coin-operated ...

4.2 Price analysis

The dry cleaning market is one in which different players provide the same service, at different prices depending on location. below we have analyzed prices for the main suit types and for different laundries in the cities with the largest laundry presence. In particular there are laundries that reside in Rome (***). It is inferred that the most expensive garments are leather garments; while as for quilts and blankets, the most expensive are merino wool blankets.

The consumer price index for laundry services in Italy rose steadily from **** to ****, from ***.* to ***.*, an overall growth of *.* percent. The increase was moderate between **** and ****, then accelerated slightly from **** to ****, indicating an increase in inflationary pressure in recent years.

Consumer price index for the entire community (***) - annual averages Laundry services ATECO ***** Italy,****-****, (***) - annual averages Istat

The consumer price index for laundry services showed a steady monthly increase from October **** to October ****, rising from ***.* to ***.*. The increase, at *.* percent, was gradual, with a slight acceleration in the middle months of ****, suggesting continued inflationary pressure on the sector.

Consumer price index for the whole community (***) - monthly data Laundry services ATECO ***** Italy,****-****, (***) - monthly data Istat

4.3 Supply trends: digitization

For the laundry market, digitization is also an essential and inevitable element in the organization of production and work. Adopting automated systems that make it possible to track the flow of work, but also to extend and personalize the service of delivery and return of garments, represents an added value. Making laundry facilities functionally integrable with each other and connecting them with management systems effectively enables them to simplify the working methods of any business. Laundry industries and laundries are constantly striving to cut down production time, to do more in less time, simplifying and speeding up are the two watchwords. Automated warehouse management also inevitably involves real-time control and tracking of goods with complete traceability. The trend is very clear to all, the future for the market is one of increasingly digital laundry. Then there is the development of many web platforms that are revolutionizing the home service market? Conveniently from home with a smartphone, you can have clothes cleaned and ironed ** hours a day, seven days a week. And all this without competing with traditional laundries but only by putting them online and exploiting their potential, while also making life easier for both the service provider and the laundry ...

5.1 Rules and regulations

Laundry and dry-cleaning activities encroach on the field of numerous ecological level regulations, and it is therefore very important to delve into all related issues and related laws. Laundries are in fact subject to the following laws:

Law **/**** - Provisions on the regulation of the activity of cleaner-laundries. Ministerial Decree **/**** and subsequent amendments - Regulation of VOC emissions into the atmosphere that affects every dry cleaning activity Legislative Decree ***/**** - Single text of environmental protection Legislative Decree **/** - Single text for safety in the workplace Special waste regulations and Sistri - for all dry cleaning activities EC Regulation ***/** and EC ****/** - Regulation of refrigerant gas emissions and equipment maintenance - valid for all drycleaners and refrigeration equipment. UNI ***** - Unified reference standard for biocontamination management in laundry.

6.1 Segmentation

• LAVASECCO 1 ORA S.R.L.
• Everest
• EKOLAV S.R.L.
• Demi SPA
• DAGNINI
• Lava & Cuce
• ROTONDI GROUP
• LAVAPIU' SRL