Market Overview

Linen supply service is a rental service that lends linens for hotels, hospitals, restaurants, amusement facilities, companies, and factories. In FY2018, domestic linen supply market size (by business player revenue base) attained 517,838 million yen, increased by 0.3% year on year, of which the growth is almost flat yet still growing for two consecutive years. The downturn in the linen supply market seems to have ceased after FY2017. 

Noteworthy Topics

Understaffing Problem Escalating in the Entire Linen Supply Market

For long years, the linen supply industry has been facing a labor shortage. The problem is increasing also in the demands other than hotels, and has been affected by the influence of workstyle reform implemented in April 2019.


In terms of acquiring human resources, in November 2018, under the new system, the occupation in the linen supply services (finishing process of linen supplies) was added to the list of occupations for the “Technical Intern Training II”. As the update allows non-Japanese residents to extend their period of stay, their workstyle may improve further in the market. Moreover, the industry is making efforts not only for the non-Japanese workers but also for women workers, providing stronger support by improving their working conditions (shorter workhours, child-rearing support, etc.).


In addition, the key challenge to be addressed will be the development of labor-saving work processes, including capital investments. Just as in the case of other industries shifting to automation, movements for adopting automation is also seen in the linen supply market.  Whether by building additional facilities or by building new factories, or by streamlined process with existing equipment, it can be surmised that the survival of each companies depends on the level of their efforts.

Future Outlook

Domestic linen supply market in FY2019 is estimated to attain 518,762 million yen (by business player revenue base), 1.2% increase year-on-year.  However, the estimate may fluctuate depending on the level of increase in the linen supply demand for hotels.


The major reason for breaking negative trend and leveling off is the growth driven by the demand in the linen supply for hotels.  Demand for hotel linen is booming due to the substantial increase in the number of customers, which is due to the increase in the inbound tourists, to the construction of new hotels anticipating new demand by Tokyo Olympics/Paralympics, and to the increase in the number of companies starting the hotel business.


As 2019 started, there may be an opinion that hotel business has begun stabilized, yet it is apparent that the companies from other industries are entering the market for linen supplies for hotels.  Moreover, although the hotel construction is likely to slowdown from 2020, demand for luxury hotels in major metropolitan areas is said to remain for inbound tourists. On the other hand, uncertainty in the demand after Tokyo Olympics/Paralympics is one of the concerns for the industry. The linen supply industry may suffer from the “issue of oversupply of hotels” which may occur after Tokyo Olympics.

Research Outline