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Before breaking ground for a new store, signing a lease or gutting an old store “for extensive remodeling,” thoroughly analyze the interior area. Analyze it as to its business potential for the maximum number of pieces of equipment that can fit into the building and still provide the number of turns per day per unit needed to provide the desired return on investment. Any store must be designed for maximum profit per square foot of floor space. Once established, set about providing those customer convenience benefits that complement the layout and equipment configuration. Consider the following:
1. Opening Doors to Your Business.
Getting your customers into your store is one of the most important design elements you can consider. Try to provide at list one, five foot double door or two, three foot single doors for every 20 washers you have. Automatic sliding doors provide your customers with the most convenience, allowing them to easily enter and exit your store with bundles and baskets of laundry. Many storeowners who have installed automatic doors report that they receive more compliments for this convenience than for anything else.
2. Plan in Breathing Space.
Dexter Authorized Distributors recommend that inside each entryway, store owners allow at least an eight foot by eight foot (square) of space before your customer encounters the first piece of equipment. This “breathing space” provides customers with the opportunity to become oriented upon entering the store. It gives them a chance to stop, look and decide which direction they are going to take without bumping into someone else who is trying to do the same thing without blocking the door itself.
3. Keep Aisle Ways Open.
Planning adequate aisle space can keep your laundry’s customers happy and help prevent “collisions” between customers during peak times. Be sure to allow at least 5 1/2 feet of aisle space for carts, wheelchairs and customers to have plenty of room to navigate.
4. Go With the Workflow.
When planning your store’s design, it’s important to establish a smooth workflow between the washers, dryers and folding tables. One good way to accomplish this is by using multiple washer islands installed perpendicular to the dryer line. Folding tables should be located closer to the dryers than to the washers. In planning for table space, a good rule-of-thumb would be about 15 square feet of table per three dryers. Newer folding tables take advantage of space utilization techniques by providing shelves, which can increase folding capacity by 30–40 percent. Be sure there is a good flow from washers to dryers to folding tables.
5. Large Capacity Washers.
Be sure to place your large capacity machines as close to the front of the store as possible. Your customers with large loads will appreciate the convenience, and you’ll appreciate the profits you make on these bigger machines.
While most stores have enough washers, customer bottlenecks in stores almost always occur near the dryers. Because drying takes longer than washing, a bottleneck (or backup), is often created by the dryers. If you’re looking at adding washers, especially large capacity washers, consider expanding the dryer capacity of the store as well.
6. Design With the Customer in Mind.
When decorating, don’t be afraid to use bright colors, specific themes or even wild décor. This creativity can provide your laundry with its own personal identity. Once established in the customer’s mind, this store image or identity can be used to advantage in advertising and promotional endeavors.
- Washers located back-to-back need at least +/- two feet for utilities.
- If possible design the laundry allowing unobstructed visibility from the front to the back. This helps the laundry feel more open, and allows visibility for safety’s sake.
- Using mirrors can help your laundry feel larger and more open.
- A ceramic tile floor that will help minimize slips and falls and will look better and last longer.
7. Selecting the Equipment
Work with your Dexter Authorized Distributor to determine the right equipment mix for your location. They can help you plan the right number of machines to provide the maximum number of turns per day to provide your return on investment. They can also help you plan your space and provide you with items you might need such as top-loaders, front-loaders, large capacity washers, dryers, extractors, bill and coin changers, soap and bag machines, carts, folding tables, water heaters and storage tanks needed.
Your store’s layout will also depend upon the design of the building … the walls, window locations, door locations, bathroom plumbing, existing plumbing, gas and electrical, height of ceilings and room shapes and sizes.
8. Finishing Touches.
Finishing touches can be defined as those little things that provide a store with the personality, uniqueness and atmosphere all its own.
Store lighting is an important component in making your customers feel safe and secure. This is important because too little or too much light in the wrong place can become very discomforting to customers. Subconsciously they will appreciate the fact that they have the proper type and amount of lighting. The lighting will also have a big effect on how clean their clothes appear when they are washed and dried in the store.
If space permits, try to provide an area for vending equipment such as snack and soda machines. These can be a very profitable investment, as well as a convenience for your customers.
Remember to provide the customers with plenty of laundry carts. About half of the carts should have hanging racks on them. The number of carts will depend on customer usage, but a minimum of one per four to five washers would be advisable.
9. Additional Tips to Keep in Mind.
While some storeowners refer to their laundries in terms of square feet or number of washers and dryers, another common size measurement is the number of pounds the store is capable of washing per day or per hour. Of course, large capacity washers allow more volume to be washed in less space. Likewise, stacked dryers provide more revenue in less space. Ask your Dexter Authorized Distributor how to maximize your store’s capacity with your existing space.
Each store will have different layout and design requirements that are based on equipment mix, the services provided and the customer makeup. The actual size and shape of the store should be determined only after all the data has been collected that helps determine the pounds of wash the market demands. A good layout and design can make the all-important difference between a customer choosing and using your store over a competitor’s store. |
