Eyewear in 2025: The big picture
Sales of eyewear in the UK have continued to grow steadily in 2025, albeit at a slower rate than in the previous year. Value growth is outpacing volume growth in spectacles and sunglasses, which is due to a variety of reasons including premiumisation, new product development, including enhanced technology and innovation, as well as price increases.
2025 key trends
Some 30% of consumers in the UK expressed concerns about their current financial situation, according to Euromonitor’s Voice of the Consumer survey in 2025. As such, the preferences of British consumers are becoming increasing polarised when it comes to eyewear, with demand for both budget basics and high-end, durable and sustainable offerings performing well.
Competitive landscape
The competitive landscape within eyewear in the UK continued to be led by British retailer Specsavers Optical Group Ltd, followed by Luxottica Group UK Ltd and Essilor UK Ltd (with the latter two owned by GBO EssilorLuxottica SA). Specsavers also retained the leading position in spectacles in 2024, with the retailer increasing its value share.
Retail developments
Optical good stores continues to dominate sales of eyewear in value terms in 2025. It is no surprise that British consumers still value the professional advice of in-store experts and the personalised approach of an optician when purchasing spectacles and sunglasses in particular.
What next for eyewear?
Eyewear in the UK is projected to see stable growth over the forecast period in value terms (at constant 2025 prices), with a stronger performance than was seen over the review period. On the one hand, there are several factors that are contributing to consumer uncertainty, including economic and political concerns arsing form global trade tariff wars, which are causing consumers to be more cautious with their discretionary spending.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Eyewear industry in United Kingdom with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories:
- Contact Lenses
- Spectacles
- Sunglasses
If you're in the Eyewear industry in United Kingdom, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Eyewear in United Kingdom report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Eyewear in United Kingdom?
- How are sales of contact lenses performing compared to spectacles?
- Which are the leading brands in Eyewear in United Kingdom?
- How are products distributed in Eyewear in United Kingdom?
- How are demographic changes impacting demand?
- To what extent are fashion and consumer affluence growth determinants?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Eyewear in the United Kingdom
Eyewear in 2025: The big picture
2025 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retail developments
What next for eyewear?
DISCLAIMER
Contact Lenses and Solutions in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sales of contact lenses stabilise in 2025 after the highs of the last few years
Johnson & Johnson facing growing competition
Myopia control contact lenses thriving in the UK
Pressure on manufacturers to focus on value
Retail e-commerce set to benefit from Wiser Wallet consumers
Smart contact lenses provide a vision of the future
Spectacles in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Indie brands growing steadily in the UK market
Specsavers and Boots enjoy success with effective integrated marketing strategies
Myopia control spectacle lenses find growing appeal among parents in 2025
Trump tariffs expected to affect sales of spectacles in the long term
Omnichannel strategies set to come to the fore in spectacles
Addressing lens waste is a crucial step toward achieving sustainability goals
Sunglasses in the United Kingdom
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Polarisation continues to be key theme in sunglasses in the UK
Indie brands finding favour with fashion conscious Brits
E-commerce continues to gain share in sunglasses
Rising costs could be passed on to the consumer
Mainstream smart glasses closer than previously considered possible
Spotlight on sustainability in sunglasses
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Eyewear
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- Daily Disposable Lenses (DD)
- Frequent Replacement Lenses (FRP)
- Conventional Lenses
- Myopia Control Contact Lenses
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- Contact Lens Solutions
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- Readymade Reading Glasses
- Spectacle Frames
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- Standard Spectacle Lenses
- Myopia Control Spectacle Lenses
- Sunglasses
Eyewear
Eyewear is the aggregate of contact lenses, spectacles and sunglasses.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
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This report originates from Passport, our Eyewear research and analysis database.
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