Safilo returns to growth in Q1, details supply chain adjustments
Sales increased at a low-single digit pace in Q1 in both North America and Europe. Gross profit and adjusted EBITDA margins also inched up. During the results presentation, the company’s management detailed its US tariff mitigation strategy.
EssilorLuxottica to turn eyewear into a service platform and frames into ‘wearables real estate,’ shareholders hear
In the company’s annual shareholders meeting, Chairman and CEO Francisco Milleri detailed how Essilux is progressively shifting from a hardware-oriented to a service-oriented business centered on AI and medtech. More acquisitions in the AI, chips design and eye surgery sectors are into the group’s deals pipe for 2025 and 2026. The company is taking a cautious approach to US tariffs supply chain adjustments.
HOYA reports positive Q4 results, discusses general strategy, US tariffs
The group’s eyeglass lens and contact lens sales were up by 5 percent in Q4 and by 4 percent in the full year compared to fiscal 2023-24. The Life Care’s segment profitability improved significantly in Q4 after it dipped in previous quarters as the company prioritized sales recovery following the severe IT incident at the start of the fiscal year.
Fielmann Group share price jumps on strong Q1 and FY2025 outlook
It was a busy trading day on the eve of May Day at the Frankfurt stock exchange for Fielmann Group shares, whose price jumped by 13 percent on the previous day, while trading volumes, which had been hovering at around 40,000 shares in the previous days jumped six-fold to 264,000. ...
Amazon-backed autofocus glasses startup raises $36m, aims for distribution in the ECP channel
The raised capital will enable IXI to continue its product development and to kickoff its commercial operations. The strategy is to distribute primarily through the optical retail channel. The company is looking to disrupt the market with its technology aimed at replacing progressive lenses.
Google and Samsung to release their own smart glasses and platform
Shahram Izadi, Vice President and General Manager of Android XR, introduced Google’s most recent move in smart eyewear at TED earlier this month. Readers might recall the demise, two years ago, of a previous endeavor – Google Glass.
Debate on eyeglasses reimbursements heats up again in France
The federation of private health insurances wants to extend their clients’ refund period rights for eyeglass purchases from two to three years. The French opticians association has expressed strong reserves.
Kering Eyewear revenue growth slows down to 2% in Q1
Kering Eyewear was again a rare bright spot in the results presented earlier this week by French luxury group Kering for the first quarter of 2025. The eyewear unit’s sales were up by 3 percent year-on-year to €476 million or by 2 percent on a comparable basis. However, this marks ...
EssilorLuxottica adds price hikes to US tariffs mitigation arsenal, reports strong Q1 performance
The industry leader is planning to increase its prices in the US but mostly counts on its ongoing supply chain diversification and innovation and M&A pipelines to mitigate the impact of US tariffs. Q1 revenue was up by 8 percent at constant rates, driven by the DTC division.
Trump’s tariffs – a timeline
Here, Eyewear Intelligence contributors will post all the news regarding Trump´s tariffs that have an effect on the industry.
The Vision Council highlights change in US customs tactics, analyzes supply chain scenarios
TVC details the impact of the US administration’s trade policy changes on eyewear supply chains, and sends a delegation to the White House to advocate on behalf of its 500+ members and the eyewear sector at large.
Mixed feelings in Fukui over 'Made in Japan' eyewear amid export surge
Exports of Japanese eyewear products have strongly rebounded in recent years, lifted in part by the growing popularity overseas of the Made in Japan label, notably in the US and Europe. However, a recent survey, as well as an initiative by the Fukui eyewear industry association, shows mixed feelings over the country-of-origin label in the region. Meanwhile, the shortage of workers and the increasing number of subcontractors closing shop remain the main challenge for the local industry.
Antitrust suit threatens Meta’s revenues, perhaps R&D
After more than four years, the US FTC has gotten Meta into court.
PPG Optical grows with legacy products and innovations, looks for more sustainable processes
Amy Mercante, General Manager Specialty Products, discusses the performance of the group’s optical division and other industry topics including smart eyewear, additive manufacturing and sustainability challenges in the lens supply chain.
Eyewear stocks down by 2% in Q1, and by 10% since April 2
We are publishing here with a slight delay our quarterly chart on the evolution of the stock prices of eyewear companies. The reason for us delaying this update was the scheduled announcement of US President Donald Trump’s new reciprocal tariffs on April 2, which was certain to impact stock markets ...