The dry cleaning market - France

Since 2020, the global dry cleaning and laundry services market has been influenced by several key trends, including the increasing demand for on-demand laundry services facilitated by mobile apps. On a global scale, these on-demand services have seen significant growth, with the market expected to reach a value of USD 96 billion by end of 2024, growing at an impressive CAGR. The overall market has also been experiencing growth. Despite this, the market faces challenges from changing apparel trends, increasing regulations, and a shift toward home washing with all-in-one machines.

Furthermore, the French market has undergone a transition, with a noticeable decrease in the number of physical dry-cleaning establishments due to both price and regulatory pressures, leading to greater market concentration as the number of companies decreases while turnover increases. New digital players have disrupted traditional models by offering extended hours and home services, catering to the demands of an urban lifestyle and contributing to a market shift towards organized networks at the expense of independent outlets. Environmental concerns have further influenced the market, pushing towards eco-friendly practices and alternatives to perchloroethylene, a commonly used solvent in the industry.

Transforming Landscape of the French Dry Cleaning Market

Through a period of change in recent years, the French dry cleaning market has undergone significant transitions, steered by factors reshaping consumer behavior and operational landscapes. Amidst this metamorphosis, an estimated turnover exceeding €1.8 billion signifies not just the magnitude but also the commercial potential of the sector. However, this figure both masks and reveals underlying shifts occurring within market structures. The proliferation of independent businesses constitutes a notable trend, with about 85% of dry cleaning entities standing alone, without network affiliation. Their predominance has been challenged by the dwindling number of establishments—at the turn of the millennium, there were approximately 10,000 dry cleaning facilities, yet this figure has plunged by more than two-thirds in less than two decades.

Seasonality factors prominently into the market dynamics, with peaks occurring during popular vacation months like August, when demand can double or even triple. This pattern is further validated by the palpable burst in online searches corresponding with tourist hotspots and summer periods. Urbanization, with more than three-quarters of France's population residing in cities, has altered the demand curve. Likewise, the surge of single-person households, which now account for over a third of all domestic units, presents both challenges and opportunities for dry cleaners. Other elements potentially fuelling growth include the expansion of healthcare services, an industry which continues to burgeon due to factors spanning demographics to economics, and the robust inflow of tourists that secures France's position as a preferred global destination.

Yet, for all this potential growth, the market is not without its inhibitors. The rising inclination for individuals to conduct laundry duties at home, alongside the advent of multifunctional household washing appliances, poses considerable threats. Additionally, hurdles such as spiraling rental costs, relatively low profit margins, and regulatory flux, particularly regarding environmental standards, confound the equation. In this climate of transformation, digitalization has emerged as a game-changer. The sector has seen burgeoning startups that cater to modern lifestyles by offering extended service hours and mobile app-centric convenience. This has led to substantial investment injections, evidenced by million-euro funding rounds for innovative service providers. Amidst this backdrop, the urgency for greener practices has also found resonance, with burgeoning enterprises prioritizing eco-friendly alternatives and demonstrating a marked pivot from the traditional solvent-based cleaning methods. This not only reflects consumer sentiment but also a strategic realignment towards sustainability. 

Prominent Contributors to the Evolving Dry Cleaning and Laundry Landscape

•  Multinational Service Providers
  
  
  • ELIS - Pioneering the industry, ELIS stands out as a global player offering textile, hygiene, and facility services solutions across Europe and Latin America. Their comprehensive suite of services includes professional workwear, linen rental, and hygiene and well-being equipment.
    
    
  • Initial Services - Part of the Rentokil Initial group, Initial Services boasts a wide footprint, specializing in the rental and maintenance of textiles, professional clothing, and hygiene products. They combine their extensive expertise with innovative services to cater to a variety of industry sectors.
    
    
  • MEWA Textil Management - As a significant name in the textile management sector, MEWA offers a unique textile-sharing system allowing businesses to rent out industrial workwear and protective clothing. They emphasize sustainability, demonstrating a commitment to environmentally responsible practices in their operations.
    
    
• Retail Laundry Giants
  
  
  • 5àsec - A brand synonymous with tradition and convenience, 5àsec operates an extensive network of dry-cleaning outlets, which have earned customer trust through their quality services tailored to individual and professional clients alike.
    
    
  • Aqualogia - With its environmentally friendly approach, Aqualogia markets itself as the leading brand in eco-friendly dry cleaning. Their commitment to using non-toxic cleaning techniques positions them as a responsible choice for eco-conscious consumers.
    
    
  • Sequoia Pressing - Championing the green revolution within the sector, Sequoia Pressing is recognized as France's top ecological dry cleaner. Their services utilize organic products and methods that significantly reduce environmental impact without sacrificing the quality of cleaning.
    
    
• Cutting-edge Startups Reshaping the Market
  
  
  • Be Preppy - Addressing the modern needs of busy urbanites, Be Preppy simplifies life with its digital platform facilitating on-demand dry cleaning and laundry services, with the promise of speed, convenience, and professionalism, appealing especially to the digitally savvy customer base.
    
    
  • Zipjet - A company that blends technology with tradition, Zipjet offers an app-based service for time-strapped individuals, allowing for easy pickup and delivery of laundry and dry cleaning, fundamentally redefining the notion of service accessibility and convenience.
    
    
  • Le Lavoir Moderne - As an innovator in the market, Le Lavoir Moderne has made a mark with its bulk cleaning services, economical subscription-based models, and an environmentally conscious approach, striving to push the boundaries of the dry cleaning industry both in terms of service and sustainability.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 13/08/2021

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Size of the global dry cleaning and laundry market
• Size of the online on-demand laundry services market
• Market turnover
• Evolution of the turnover index of the laundry services market
• Number of laundry-dyeing facilities
• Distribution of company sizes by number of employees
• Cleaning process
• Cleaning substitutes
• Evolution of the market turnover index
• Search of interest in the last 5 years, using the keywords "Pressing" and "Laundromat" on Google.com