Inflation has had a negative impact on the professional cleaning business of more than half of the respondents that we surveyed in our soon-to-be-published Janitorial and Housekeeping Cleaning Products USA, with many noting less hiring, reduced revenues, and higher costs associated with day-to-day operations. This situation is expected to continue as 78% of our sample indicated that they expect inflation to last for one to two years. In addition, nearly 60% of the respondents said that it is now more difficult to attract and retain employees than it was pre-COVID.
Despite all this, spending on professional cleaning products is expected to rise in 2023. Anticipated price increases, more frequent cleaning, more patrons and guests, as well as more square footage to clean are among some of the key reasons boosting spending on such products. Hand care products will remain in high demand, with 52% of the janitorial decision makers that we surveyed in our upcoming report stating that they expect to spend more on such products in 2023 than they did this year.
Cleaning habits have also changed. Nearly 70% of those surveyed noted that they are sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces more often, have increased frequency of cleaning, are offering more locations with hand sanitizer throughout the facility, and are using more antibacterial hand soaps. Stockpiling of up to six months’ worth of select products is also evident. However, there is evidence that end users may be spending more on cleaning products but are using the same or less volume of products in some cases.
To better understand the critical buying factors, usage, product form preferences, and anticipated spending changes, refer to our upcoming Janitorial and Housekeeping Cleaning Products USA. Comprising a written report and interactive database, it provides a wealth of information and insights based on detailed feedback from over 1,000 end-use decision makers, as well as our market estimates and forecasts based on in-depth B2B interviews with suppliers, distributors, trade groups, and experts.
For a first inside look into the report’s findings, meet with Laura Mahecha, Director of our Professional Cleaning practice, and Alex Rappley, Sales Manager, at the ISSA in Chicago from October 10 to 12. Also, don’t miss Mahecha’s presentation on the Outlook for Cleaning Product Demand in a Post-Pandemic World at the joint ISSA/HCPA workshop taking place in the same location on Monday, October 10. Register here to attend.