SELF-SERVICE LAUNDRIES, WHAT ARE THE PATHS TO CHANGE?

The self-service laundry market continues to expand in Italy, evolving from a simple neighborhood service into a structured and increasingly sophisticated business model. Providing an overview of the sector are Stefano Randon, Area Manager Far East, USA, Canada and UK and Fabrizio Giomo Area Manager Italy of IMESA SpA, a company specialized in producing professional laundry equipment. In recent years, the sector has experienced significant growth, extending from major urban centers to smaller towns , explains Giomo. For many operators, it has become both a secondary source of income and an attractive investment opportunity. At the same time, interest from new entrepreneurs has increased, often driven by the appeal of the market without a full understanding of its technical and managerial complexities. The customer base has also evolved considerably: users of self-service laundries are now increasingly diverse . Internationally, the United States remains the benchmark market. American laundromats are substantially larger than their European counterparts, and traditional payment systems have now been almost entirely replaced by cashless solutions , adds Randon.

According to Giomo, Italian consumers also display distinctive habits: Italian customers have particularly high expectations regarding washing quality and generally use self-service laundries mainly for bulky items or garments that are difficult to manage at home. Foreign customers, by contrast, are more accustomed to using laundromats for all types of laundry . The sector is also moving toward more integrated and sophisticated service models. In large cities, where many laundries operate 24 hours a day, these spaces are becoming genuine points of reference for students, shift workers, single people, and tourists. However, operating around the clock requires substantial investment in security systems, video surveillance, and access control , points out Giomo. In this context, the widespread adoption of digital payments also serves as an effective tool for reducing theft and vandalism . Digitalization is now central to the industry. Today, almost every function can be managed through dedicated apps , says Randon. IMESA was among the first companies in the sector to introduce Wi-Fi IoT systems and dedicated management platforms for selfservice laundries. The next frontier will be predictive maintenance, with technologies capable of remotely monitoring machines and preventing potential breakdowns before they occur. Alongside technological innovation, sustainability, reduced consumption, and product life-cycle analysis remain strategic priorities . IMESA does not simply supply machinery; it supports customers throughout the entire business development process, from site selection to technical planning and installation , explains Giomo. We also assist in designing the store layout while leaving clients complete freedom of customization. Unlike some competitors, IMESA does not impose franchise models, although franchising continues to dominate in the United States and is gradually gaining ground in Italy as well . Looking ahead, Randon foresees increasing convergence between traditional self-service laundries and drop & wash services, ultimately evolving into drop, wash & fold models that include garment collection, washing, and folding. It is a high value-added formula designed to meet the needs of consumers who are increasingly focused on convenience and time-saving services , he notes. In ten years , Giomo concludes, laundries will likely be larger, more digitalized, and multifunctional, offering personalized services, customized washing programs, and a wide range of automated processes. Small neighborhood laundries will continue to exist, but their role will increasingly complement these new, more advanced formats" .