The latest news and analysis on omnichannel retail and distribution changes.
National Vision sees adjusted comp sales rising 3-6% as product mix, customer shift continues
National Vision said it expects adjusted comparable sales to rise by 3-6 percent in 2026, as it pointed to success in efforts to increase the share of premium eyewear in its product mix and attract a growing number of managed care and other more profitable customers.
Rudy Project ready for strong US push
Rudy Project has acquired 100 percent of Rudy Project North America in a move to accelerate its international expansion through direct control of its strategic markets, the company has announced. Founded in 1998 by Brad Shapiro and other eyewear and sport industry entrepreneurs, the California-based distribution company has been working ...
Reported Meta-Essilux arm-wrestling on AI glasses pricing highlights diverging priorities
Meta and EssilorLuxottica are working through disagreements over the pricing and promotion strategy of their Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, with the tech giant pushing for lower prices and the eyewear group pushing in the opposite direction, according to “people familiar with the matter” quoted by Bloomberg News earlier this week.
Vision Group CEO sees ‘a lot of white space’ to expand store fleet
Vision Group has made expansion through acquisitions a key part of its growth strategy, and there’s no sign that will change anytime soon. Marco Procacciante, the CEO and founder of the eyewear retailer that boasts Italy’s largest network of optical stores Eyewear Intelligence that he sees “a lot of white ...
Kenyan retail startup aims for scale and impact in East Africa
Backed by Japanese and Indian investors and by a French optical retail veteran, Kenyan optical retail startup Mamy Eyewear plans to grow from five stores in Nairobi to over 100 locations in East Africa within five years, leveraging AI-powered eye exams and affordable pricing to address the region’s critical shortage of eye care services.
Essilux takes a local approach to the Chinese smart glasses market
EssilorLuxottica is using an existing deal to probe the market for smart eyewear in China, where, as the company tells us, the focus is on Chinese tech and the preferences of Chinese customers. To align its products and marketing accordingly, it appears that Essilux is for now setting aside any ...
ZEISS leverages vision care synergies in smart eyewear, ophthalmology
ZEISS has announced the creation of a new strategic business unit called ZEISS Extended Reality which, combined with ZEISS Vision Care, will make up the group’s Consumer Markets segment. Established last month, ZEISS Extended Reality will unite in one division the different teams that have been working on extended reality ...
National Vision outlines path to high-single-digit sales growth, margin expansion
National Vision announced plans for high-single-digit sales growth in each of the five years through fiscal year 2030, as it looks to further broaden its focus beyond its traditional cash-paying customer, increase the share of premium products and open 240 new stores. Comparable sales are seen increasing at a mid-single-digit ...
Afflelou network sales up 5% in FY2025
Network sales were up mid-single digits in France and Spain, the retailer’s two key markets. Margins also progressed year over year despite increasing and substantial debt-related costs.
Strong Q3 sales growth for Synsam despite Denmark subscriptions slump
Synsam Group revenue returned to double-digit growth in Q3 after a 6.9 percent hike in the previous quarter. Total quarterly sales rose by 11.0 percent year over year to 1,731 million Swedish crowns (€158m), driven by sharp increases in Sweden and Norway (see table). They were up by 12.4 percent ...