Greatest Takeaway from the Clean Show 2025

There was a lot of new technology to see at Clean 2025:

• Presso has a new spotting machine that uses AI to identify stains, and then automatically removes the stain and dries the fabric.
• Sankosha has an updated version of their folding machine for Wash, Dry, and Fold.
• Metalprogetti has the ability to remotely video-conference with clients using their unattended kiosks.
• Many booths were displaying robotic technology for the sorting and folding functions in commercial laundry applications. 

The educational sessions, sponsored by DLI, CLA, TCATA, TRSA, and ALM showcased speakers talking about all sorts of interesting topics and they were REALLY good!
 
However, the most common question I received during the Clean Show focused on how a drycleaning company can sell more.
 
As piece counts for traditional items continue to fall year over year in same source sales, how can a drycleaning owner increase sales? And not to depend on just raising pricing multiple times per year to grow sales?
 
Our industry is finally coming around to the concept of deploying a continuity model, where sales are recurring on a monthly basis (most commonly in a subscription).
 
Subscriptions allow you to bundle services together, giving more value to your clients, while also receiving more revenue from that same client and you lock in this revenue on a monthly basis.
 
I’m not just talking about wash and fold laundry.
You can bundle any, and all services, that you offer.
 
If you poll drycleaners, and ask what their #1 CONSTRAINT is in their business, and they were to answer honestly, over 80% would say cash flow.
 
The beauty of subscriptions is that it reverses the cash flow cycle. You are paid at the beginning of a cycle, in advance of having to pay any of the costs (labor, supplies, utilities, etc).
 
Clients who sign up for a subscription rarely leave you. To give you an example, when our industry dropped 70-80% at the beginning of Covid, only two of our subscribers at In The Bag Cleaners cancelled their service and both of them signed back up a couple months later!
 
There are many more benefits to a continuity model in your business other than cash flow and creating loyalty with your best clients.
 
If you are interested in putting subscriptions into your business, send me an email at dave@maverickdrycleaners.com and also check out the subscriptions we have put into place at https://inthebagcleaners.com/time-saver-plans/ .
 
Have a great week friend!
Dave