With limited time and more work to do, people these days prefer simpler ways to get their daily tasks done. Laundry is surely one of them. From washing clothes at home to going to coin-operated laundry services, the laundry and dry cleaning sector have evolved so much over the years.
According to a report, the dry-cleaning and laundry services market worldwide is projected to grow by $18.9 billion (approx €17 billion), driven by a compounded growth of 4.2%. Within Europe, Germany will add over $925.4 million (approx €825 million) to the region’s size and clout in the next 5 to 6 years. Over $1 billion (approx €891 million) worth of projected demand in the region will come from the rest of Europe markets.
Going strong amid the pandemic
In this regard, Europe has produced several on-demand laundry startups over the past few years. Laundryheap, the UK’s largest on-demand laundry and dry cleaning service, has recently announced its expansion into five new international markets: New York, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Singapore.
The expansion comes as a result of solid performance in 2020 even during COVID-19 pandemics. Furthermore, the London-based startup is looking to capitalise on competitor’s withdrawal from the market and an increased appetite for on-demand cleaning services as well. It’s worth mentioning that the expansion follows a year of planning!
Laundryheap taking the leap
The UK startup enables customers to have their laundry collected, washed, and delivered back to them in a guaranteed 24 hours – a turnaround no competitor offers.
In the wake of the pandemic and other environmental concerns, the app also allows customers to opt for: contactless collection and delivery; a virus-targeting, high-temperature wash; and a green travel route for their delivery drivers.
Sticks with sustainable revenue models
Founded by Deyan Dimitrov in 2014, Laundryheap is now focused on translating their successful model into a vastly augmented global presence, with plans to expand to at least 12 additional cities before the end of the year.
In its existing markets – the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the UAE, the startup focuses on building sustainable revenue models. Bootstrapped initially for 3 years, the company secured its first funding of £2.9 million (approx €3.2 million) in VC investment in 2017.
Temporary accommodations, a 30% discount and more
To ensure their service reached those who needed it most during the lockdown, the company introduced numerous initiatives. This includes a partnership with UnderTheDoormat to service the free temporary accommodation of NHS workers, the distribution of care packages of cleaning and hygiene essentials for the elderly (with Age UK signed up to help distribute), a pay-it-forward scheme with matched gifting, and a 30% NHS workers discount across all Laundryheap services.
Speaking on the international expansion, Laundryheap’s CEO, Deyan Dimitrov, comments: “Since launching, we’ve been focused on steady growth. With on-demand products, you cannot blitz into new markets until you’ve perfected your operations and figured out a realistic route to revenue – your burn rate will simply be unsustainably high. While others have stumbled, we’ve been focused on perfecting the product. Now, having expanded so exponentially during such an uncertain time, it’s clear that those years of groundwork were instrumental to our growth. We’re delighted to be increasing our global footprint and I look forward to bringing Laundryheap to more communities across the world.”
Main image credits: Laundryheap
