While eyewear companies demonstrated resilience in 2024 and 2025, they must continue to address ongoing consumer financial constraints. Creating value at both the budget and premium ends of the market will be essential. As health optimisation becomes a greater priority, early prevention – such as myopia control and UV protection – will gain focus. With smart glasses entering the mainstream, brands that adopt niche strategies will be best positioned to maintain exclusivity and value.
Delivery
This report comes in PPT.
Key findings
Eyewear companies show resilience amid persistent challenges
Economic pressures have resulted in raised costs of living and depressed purchasing power, with consumers opting for low-cost eyewear goods over premium and luxury items. Nevertheless, eyewear companies continued to gradually recover from the pandemic, with all of the top 10 players witnessing solid growth since 2020. In the near term, signs of progress are evident.
Luxury companies face uphill battle for value creation
Premiumisation moves by eyewear businesses require a stronger pitch to resonate with end-consumers’ long-term purchasing patterns moving towards quality and product mileage. In order to stay ahead of the curve, optical retailers in the luxury end will need to reinforce their clinical and sustainable credentials and strengthen communication on product materials and features that are beneficial to the customer.
Myopia control products gaining ground in functional eyewear
The development of the control of myopia is evolving at an incredibly fast rate, driven by the escalating prevalence of myopia worldwide, the growing awareness among parents and health professionals and the mounting clinical studies supporting its efficacy, with Johnson & Johnson, CooperVision, EssilorLuxotticaand Hoya all supporting the drive.
Stores and online platforms expand their omnichannel strategies
Online initiatives concentrate on offering a wider selection, including social content, to boost brand visibility and direct traffic to physical stores. Meanwhile, in physical stores, the focus lies in leveraging digital technologies such as scanning and 3D printing to deliver more professional and personalised services.
Sustainability develops as source of differentiation
Finally, with climate change coming to the fore for a growing number of consumers, businesses are now prioritising sustainability, not only as part of their core product offering, but also in terms of production processes, as they take greater responsibility about the future impact their business has on the environment.
Key findings
Companies at a glance
Both diversified companies and pure players are present in eyewear
Global eyewear companies show resilience in 2024 amid persistent challenges
Companies with a reliance on the US should consider diversifying geographically
Established eyewear companies maintain leadership in active market share
Eyewear companies continue to rely heavily on top three eyewear brands
Stability in rankings predicted, as acquisitions and myopia control drive growth
Value beyond price is essential for growth in eyewear
European private label brands target innovation and affordability in premium offering
Australian affordable premium brand Le Specs launches genre blurring eyewear
Lowercase NYC shows “micro-luxury” is surviving in eyewear in the US
Eyewear companies tap into health longevity solutions
Essilux’s Stellest is first myopia spectacle lens brand to receive FDA approval in the US
Maui Jim Ho’okipa Ultra promotes health-driven sunglasses
As smart glasses go mainstream, a niche approach will help brands maintain exclusivity
Smart glasses see a turning point in Summer 2025, with major tech player launches
Chinese AI start-up sets new industry standard with AR/AI blend Rokid glasses
Key findings
Projected company sales: FAQs
Eyewear
Eyewear is the aggregate of contact lenses, spectacles and sunglasses.
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