Laundry shop war

Editorial staff

Demand of laundromat business is still on the rise and the competition comes another level after LG Electronics (Thailand) Co, the operator of LG electrical appliance, has jumped into the bandwagon.

Alone, the Laundry Bar chain will continue to open at least 100 new branches this year.

The number of overall laundromat shops has jumped to 3,000 branches at present, up ten times from 300 branches in the past 6 years. This is due to consumer changing lifestyle, people have less time and shift to use laundromat.
With the huge opportunity, laundromat shops will be opened in a big numbers this year.

LG Electronics recently expanded its business in commercial washing machines with the launch of its first-ever laundromat franchise under the LG brand.

Amnaj Singhachan

Amnaj Singhachan, the company’s head of marketing, said that the world’s first prototype store for LG Laundry Crew is now opened to welcome all customers at LG Laundry Crew’s Ramkhamhaeng Soi 8 branch in Thailand.

‘LG Laundry Crew', highlighting its three key strengths: trusted branding by consumers, commercial washing machines and dryers specifically suitable for laundromats, and accessible after-sales services for store owners.
With its established key strengths, LG’s inaugural laundromat franchise will enhance investor confidence.

"With the laundromat business flourishing in Thailand and the opportunity for growth evident, coupled with LG's 35-year leadership in washing machine market share, we were motivated to introduce the LG Laundry Crew, our new laundromat franchise prototype, for the first time in Thailand,” Mr. Amnaj said.

Previously, LG commercial washing machines were sold only to other operators. However, LG has now elevated its approach by launching its own franchise. This strategy not only meets market demands but also offers an alternative for those interested in starting a laundry shop in Thailand.

Chanont Tovikkai

Chanont Tovikkai, executive director of LaundryBar Thai, said the company aims to open 100 LaundryBar shops across the country this year. Of the total, 80% will be in the form of franchises and the remaining will be under its own investment. The new LaundryBar will be opened in communities, factories, office buildings and universities. The company has joined hands with 7-Eleven convenience store to open LaundryBar shop next door to it.

Currently, it has total 300 LaundryBar branches across Thailand. Of the total, 40 stores are located next door to 7-Eleven.

“Laundromat business still has a potential to grow when compared to Malaysia with 30 million population, but it has its total market size of laundromat with 6,000 branches. At present, It has about 3,000 laundromat shops in Thailand, but its population size is one time more than Malaysia. It is possible the market size will reach 10,000 branches in the future,” Mr Chanont said.

In addition to Thailand, the company is in talks to investors in Laos and Cambodia to expand its business there. It expected to open its first LaundryBar in Laos in the second quarter of this year and Vietnam and Myanmar in 2025.

LaundryBar Thai was founded in 2018 through a joint venture with Niyom Phanich Group, a dealer of automobiles and motorcycles and home appliances based in Chiang Mai, and a Malaysian partner, City Coin Laundry Sdn Bhd, with registered capital of 9 million baht.