You’d be forgiven for thinking laundromats are an old story—established, everywhere, done. But according to recent market research, the global laundromat industry is on the rise, with strong growth forecast across every major region.
According to Horizon Grand View Research, in 2019, the global coin/card-operated laundry market was valued at USD 14.6 billion. By 2027, it’s projected to more than double—reaching over USD 30 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. And that’s not just a blip. It’s a full spin cycle of momentum.
And while the U.S. already has laundromats on just about every corner, that market is still expected to grow steadily, thanks to changing consumer habits, an increase in renters, and shifting preferences away from in-home machines. Turns out, even in the land of plenty, people are still happy to pay a little to do the laundry—especially if it’s easy, faster, and doesn’t eat half of their Saturday.
Australia is no different. With more people living in high-density housing and apartments, and a sharp rise in dual-income households, nicely designed laundromats with extras are becoming an attractive, efficient option (see some examples). Why spend so much money on home appliances when there’s a machine down the road that can wash all your king-size sheets in 35 minutes?
Whether it’s Bangkok, Brisbane or Brooklyn, the humble laundromat is becoming ever more popular — helped by a modern twist. Expect to see more premium fit-outs, smarter machines like our ‘Touch’ range, and multi-service offerings.
Australia is also set to grow in the next five years—because laundry may not be glamorous, but it’s still one of the few services that will never go out of style. You can skip brunch, you can skip Pilates… but you never skip clean clothes.
For operators, investors, and landlords: this isn’t a fading market. It’s a reliable, cashflow-friendly, high-demand industry that doesn’t care about recessions… and it’s on the up.