According to Vision Monday, a leading publication for the eyewear industry, total US vision care revenues for the 12 months ending June 2017 were $40.17 billion, a 16.6% increase from the 12 months ending June 2016.
Eyeglasses accounted for 55.6%, or $22.32 billion in revenue. Contact lens revenue increased the most, +3.1%, to $4.89 billion. Sunglasses revenue increased +1.9% to $4.21 billion. Revenue from eye exams also increased.
The top 50 U.S. retailers increased their 2016 share to 36.7% from 35.3% for 2015, for an estimated $12.813 billion in revenue. The top 10 US retailers also increased their share, to 31.6%, for 2016 from 30.5% for 2015. Mass merchants’ share was 9.7%.
Vision Monday, May 15, 2017 Issue
Eyes on Contact Lenses
ABB Optical, a company that distributes optical products to two-thirds of US optometrists, said in its industry report that among its customers, there has been almost an 8% increase in contact lenses, particularly daily disposables, which increased 23%.
Sales of toric contact lenses increased 11%, driven by daily disposable torics, and multifocals increased almost 17%. Reusable contact lens sales decreased 0.4%, but are increasing with recent new monthly spherical, toric and multifocal product introductions.
The Optical Business Barometer gauges the business outlook among independent eyecare professionals on a scale from 1–5, with 5 being the best. The OBB was 3.94 for Q1 2017, an increase over Q2, Q3 and Q4 2016, but a decrease from Q1 2016.
Aesthetics is most important to the customer when choosing a frame
46%
Vision Monday, April 21, 2017 and August 14, 2017 issues
Mass Merchants’ Revenue Increases Decline
Mass merchants and wholesale clubs with optical departments increased their 2016 optical revenues 4.0%, or $3.372 billion, but considerable less than the 15% increase during 2015.
This sector’s revenues represented 9.7% of the total US vision care market and 26.3% of Vision Monday’s top 50 retailers. This was a slightly lower share for the top 50 than for 2016, meaning that they are gaining share from independents.
The number of optical locations at Walmart remained stable, while Costco added 16 new optical departments and Target added 86.
Mass Merchants and Wholesale Clubs, 2014–2015
Store
2016 Sales
2015 Sales
2016 Units
2015 Units
Walmart total
$1.767 B
$1.746.0 B
3,227
3,228
Wal-Mart Stores
$1.575 B
$1.554.0 B
3,000
3,000
National Vision
$192.0 M
$192.0 M
227
228
Costco Wholesale (Luxottica Retail)
$961.0 M
$915.2 M
491
475
Target/Super Target
$285.0 M
$225.0 M
476
390
Sam’s Club (Wal-Mart Stores)
$158.0M
$160.0 M
575
582
Shopko Stores
$98.0 M
$94.0 M
140
140
BJ’s Wholesale (Refac Optical Group)
$87.5 M
$86.7 M
203
201
Fred Meyer (National Vision)
$15.0 M
$15.0 M
29
29
TOTAL
$3.3715 B
$3.242.0 B
5,141
5,045
Vision Monday, May 15, 2017 Issue
Optical InSights
Although Warby Parker, the online optical retailer, was not included on the 2016 top 10 list, it was #11, with $220 million in revenue, double that from 2015. Starting January 1, 2018, United Healthcare members can use their benefits at Warby Parker.
During November 2017, Healthy Eyes Advantage (HEA), a buying group of four optical providers, started to serve more than 10,000 members. HEA will give independents lower prices and marketing support to help them compete with the big retailers.
According to an EyeCare Business survey, the biggest threat to optical retailers is online companies, 30%; managed care, 22%; BOGO pricing, 14%; big box retailers, 11%; and the economy, 11%.
The sale of blue-light blocking lenses will increase during the next year, say 84% of eye care professionals (ECP) surveyed. In the South, sales of blue-light/digital eyewear are more than the sales of sunglasses.
The fastest-growing categories according to ECPs are Rx-ready frames, 29%; Rx sunwear, 29%; children’s frames, 11%; Plano sunwear, 9%; and sports products, 6%.
The most popular lens material during 2016 was polycarbonate, 74%; followed by high index, 45%; CR 39, 44%; and Trivex, 28%.
- Favorite contact lens marketing is point-of-purchase displays
54%
Say direct-to-consumer advertising is important
23%
EyeCare Business, January 2017
Visions of the Future
At the International Vision Expo held during September 2017, the trend in frames was pink and other playful colors. Bars across the tops of frames continue as a fashion trend. Wood frames were also popular.
New lens technology to reduce eyestrain from digital devices was released, including a progressive prism design to relieve binocular misalignment and single-vision lenses with extra accommodative power for fatigued eyes.
Shamir announced its WorkSpace lens, a virtual-reality video experience that “takes the viewer through a variety of daily outdoor activities highlighting the advantages of each lens.” The purpose is to make it easier for the ECP to sell specialty lenses.
Facts About Kids’ Eyewear, 2017*
Metric
Percent
Sell eyewear for infants and toddlers
45%
More than 10% of all eyeglasses are sold to teens (ages 14–17)
55%
Say a good warranty is most important for selling eyewear to tweens (ages 9–13)
78%
Sales of children’s products as percent of total gross sales
Say point-of-purchase materials were most helpful when selling to children
39%
Vision Monday (Jobson Optical Research), July 2017 * of those selling to younger than 18 age group
Additional Analysis Data from the newly released Buffalo, NY Fall 2017 survey from The Media Audit reveals some interesting correlations and contrasts between adults 18–49 and adults 50+ who plan to buy glasses and/or contact lenses during the next 12 months and their average weekday TV viewing.
Adults 18–49 and 50+ Who Plan to Buy Glasses and/or Contact Lenses
During the Next 12 Months, by Average Weekday Hourly TV Viewing, Fall 2017
TV Viewing Periods
Adults 18–49
Adults 50+
Percent
Index
Percent
Index
5:00 AM–7:00 AM
18.2%
157
14.0%
100
7:00 AM–9:00 AM
18.5%
139
15.7%
76
9:00 AM–10:00 AM
16.7%
139
15.5%
92
10:00 AM–11:00 AM
12.6%
139
6.9%
52
11:00 AM–12:00 PM
12.8%
142
11.3%
67
12:00 PM–1:00 PM
10.3%
99
22.7%
119
1:00 PM–2:00 PM
14.5%
141
18.2%
97
2:00 PM–3:00 PM
10.0%
89
11.1%
67
3:00 PM–4:00 PM
18.0%
147
8.5%
47
4:00 PM–5:00 PM
17.8%
109
14.2%
68
5:00 PM–6:00 PM
24.6%
119
29.6%
96
6:00 PM–7:00 PM
46.3%
149
34.2%
84
7:00 PM–7:30 PM
50.3%
148
27.2%
61
7:30 PM–8:00 PM
54.1%
144
33.5%
70
8:00 PM–10:00 PM
48.6%
155
29.4%
69
10:00 PM–11:00 PM
30.8%
154
26.3%
107
8:00 PM–11:00 PM
68.9%
140
73.8%
107
11:00 PM–11:30 PM
32.7%
137
27.9%
102
11:30 PM–1:00 AM
22.5%
136
17.4%
126
Based on The Media Audit’s Buffalo, NY Fall 2017 survey
What’s interesting – and somewhat counterintuitive – is the large indices for adults 18–49 throughout all morning hours compared to adults 50+. Not surprisingly, adults 50+ spike during the 12:00 PM–1:00 PM period. The younger age group of adults then deliver both large percentages and indices from 3:00 PM into late night while adults 50+ are just average during this period, although their largest index is 11:30 PM–1:00 AM.