PWS has announced the opening of its 3,000th laundromat – the SpinCycle Laundry Lounge. This contemporary new store is located next to the company’s newly renovated headquarters in South Gate, Calif., and features some of the industry’s latest equipment technologies, along with upscale furnishings and amenities. According to PWS, SpinCycle is “the product of 48 years and three generations of commercial laundry expertise.”
The intent behind the new store is twofold, the company stated – it was built, first and foremost, to provide “a superior laundry experience” to members of the South Gate community, and secondarily to gather data enabling PWS to enhance the user experience for existing and future self-service laundries.
The new laundry features an interior that more closely resembles a coffee shop than a traditional laundry – including couches, large TVs, countertop space for laptop usage, 25-foot-high exposed wood ceilings and free Wi-Fi. In addition, the 3,400-square-foot store is equipped with the latest Speed Queen washers and dryers, featuring more than 1,400 pounds of wash capacity.
What’s more, PWS noted that it has taken a number of measures to ensure that this laundry is a learning platform for the company. To this end, the store is equipped with smart technology that gathers market intelligence, which will be utilized to better serve the nation’s laundry customers. Additionally, the store is equipped with two-way mirrors so that PWS can observe customers use of the space and interactions with the equipment and the store’s staff. These observations will be used to develop tools to help laundry owners improve their customers’ experiences, incorporate new revenue streams, and train and manage store employees. Lastly, all employees of PWS’ South Gate office will spend time working in the laundromat and interacting with laundry customers. PWS said it believes the best way for a business to differentiate itself is through “providing an exceptional customer experience, which starts with a deep comprehension of customer behaviors and expectations.”
“Today’s laundry customer is much more selective than in years past,” said Brad Steinberg, co-president of PWS. “It is a competitive retail environment, and the stores that will flourish are the ones that provide the best experience for the customer. Being able to observe consumers in the laundromat and gauge their response to new services and amenities will help us provide our PWS customers, who own and operate coin laundries, market insights that will help them be more successful.”
“We appreciate the investment PWS is making in our community,” said South Gate Mayor W.H. (Bill) De Witt. “Since deciding to relocate its headquarters here, PWS has demonstrated a real commitment to the city of South Gate by completely renovating a city block, commissioning a piece of public art, contributing funds to our local library and now providing our residents with this remarkable, modern laundry.”
Founded in 1968, PWS has offices in South Gate, Redwood City and San Diego, as well as representation in Nevada.
