The latest news and analysis on omnichannel retail and distribution changes.
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 ...
Paris Miki main stakeholder to delist the company through an MBO
The tender offer by the founding family fund values the company at approximately 33 billion yen (€182m). The plan is to restructure the retailer’s domestic and overseas businesses after a decade of revenue stagnation and low or negative profit margins.
Mister Spex resumes store expansion as bottom line takes a lighter shade of red
Mister Spex’s top and bottom line remained on sharply diverging trajectories in Q3 as the embattled German-based retail group continued to execute the strategic turnaround plan it launched about one year ago. The quarter was also marked by the acquisition of four optical stores in Germany.
National Vision raises guidance again as sales momentum continues in Q3
National Vision raised its guidance for fiscal 2025 for the third time in as many quarters, as revenues from continuing operations in the third quarter increased by 7.9 percent compared to the year earlier to $487.3 million after rising by 7.7 percent in the second quarter and by 5.7 percent ...
Ultracheap Blacksheep flagship store to open at Paris’ BHV – except not
Blacksheep, a French-based pure online player selling ultra-low-priced eyewear, is reportedly preparing to open a 200-square-meter shop at the BHV department store in Paris, for what seems to be the brand’s first venture into brick-and-mortal retail. Founded by Pierre Wizman – the French entrepreneur that created Polette, another DTC eyewear ...
Optiswiss accelerates its international development
Lens manufacturer Optiswiss announced earlier this month the signature of an exclusive franchise partnership agreement with Aynai Optical for the Saudi Arabian market. The company will manufacture and sell Optiswiss lenses, using the Swiss brand’s lens designs in the factory it launched in 2024 and equipped with machines from Schneider ...