Eyewear Market Emerging from Recession

After three years of declines, the US eyewear market is emerging from its recession. That's the finding of a report from MarketResearch.com, which was conducted by Euromonitor International. The report, called "Eyewear in the US," indicates that while the economy remains weak, consumers – spurred by GDP growth, a declining unemployment rate, and rising levels of consumer confidence – invested again in their vision care. The report also forecasts the industry's prospects through 2016 to illustrate how the market could change. For more information, click this link.

Euromonitor noted that "innovative new product launches and pent-up consumer demand to update the style and prescription of their spectacles has helped retail value sales of eyewear to finally return to their pre-recessionary levels in 2012. ...Contact lenses once again outperformed spectacles in 2012, continuing a trend that has been ongoing for many years. Americans are increasingly turning to contact lenses as their primary form of vision correction for reasons ranging from comfort and convenience to cosmetic appeal and practicality in athletics. Contact lenses are also witnessing a dramatic shift to the daily disposable modality, as consumers and eye care practitioners are increasingly recognizing that these lenses can maximize both comfort and eye health." You can also pick up more information from Euromonitor's website.

This corresponds with the results from a new Jobson study:

"The Jobson Research Optical Business Barometer (OBB), which indexes the ratings of independent ECPs' attitudes of their business and the general businesses climate, showed an increase this month from a 3.4 in October to a 3.6 in November." Read more.