The market of laundromats - Germany

1.1 Definition and scope of the study

The market for laundromats and dry cleaners in Germany includes all establishments offering washing machines and dryers for public use for a fee per kilo or per item. These businesses can be stand-alone laundromats or part of a larger business, such as a supermarket or service station.

The services offered by laundromats typically include washing and drying clothes and, where appropriate, services such as ironing or dry cleaning. In 2021, about 96.2% of all households had a washing machine.[Statista, 2021]. However, the market for laundromats in Germany is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to the rising number of one-person households and increasing urbanization [Statista, 2023] .

Customers of the laundromat market are generally private individuals who do not own their own washing machines or dryers or do not have enough space to place these appliances in their homes. The market can also be used by commercial customers, such as hotels or restaurants.

The market for laundromats in Germany is relatively fragmented, as there are a large number of independent operators. However, there are also some larger chains and franchises that have established themselves in this market. The largest of these operators are Waschbär, WaschMax, WashTec Cleaning Technology, CleanCar and Wash & Coffe. Competition in this market is generally local, as most customers have a relatively limited catchment area due to the distance to a laundromat .