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 ...
US tariffs turnaround brings the sector some relief but raises questions on spillover effects, “de-risking” policies
Combined US Import duties on China-origin optical products now range between 152.5 percent and 178 percent, while most other countries’ reciprocal rates have been lowered to the 10 percent baseline rate for 90 days.
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.
UK parents confused over children’s eye care, survey says
According to a survey by the British online parenting platform Mumsnet, parents worry more about children’s teeth than their eyes, the dental check-up outranking the eye test by about ten percentage points. These exams, Mumsnet specifies, are “very important” for 89 and 79 percent of parents, respectively.
European market softness weighs on Inspecs FY2024 results
Slightly correcting preliminary results communicated at the end of January, INSPECS Group has announced that its revenue amounted to £198.3 million (€228.8m) in fiscal 2024, down by 2.5 percent year over year. In constant currencies, the group’s topline was flat versus FY 2023.
US administration focus on transshipments calls for higher vigilance on goods’ country of origin
As transshipments have become an increasing focal point of the US trade policy, we have asked The Vision Council experts questions on the notion of ”substantial transformation” of products, which is the basis of the determination of their country of origin under US law, and on possible issues related to “Made in country X” markings.
Aiming for critical mass, Groupe Héron plans to almost double sales by 2030
Groupe Héron, the French-based retail group operating in the optical and audition markets, is aiming to almost double its business by 2030 to achieve critical mass, Bernhard Nuesser, Group CEO and Partner, has told us in an interview.
How will US consumers react to higher eyewear price tags?
The announcement by US President Donald Trump of wide-ranging and higher-than-expected “reciprocal tariffs” last week has left the global economy reeling, particularly in Asia where post-COVID supply chain reroutings aimed at “derisking” China became much less relevant overnight.
Main eyewear stocks down 7% and supply chains in doubt on US tariffs shock
So-called “reciprocal tariffs” announced by US President Donald Trump have sent global eyewear stocks down. The particularly high rates slapped on China and Southeast Asian countries challenge supply chain adjustments made in the last 2 years. Questions on how US consumers will respond to higher eyewear prices abound.
A high-end complement to the Ray-Ban Meta?
Meta has a new prototype for smart glasses in the works, according to Bloomberg, which cites “people familiar with the matter.” The code name this time is Hypernova, and the glasses are purported to have a screen, for the display of photographs and apps, and to be controllable with gestures ...
Kering Eyewear builds up in-house supply chain in Belluno
The eyewear division of Kering is acquiring Visard, a specialist in injected plastic frames, and taking a minority share (for now) in Mistral, an acetate eyewear manufacturer.
Menrad Germany files for insolvency
Menrad Group has announced that Ferdinand Menrad GmbH, its German entity, has entered insolvency proceedings due to an expected future liquidity bottleneck. The insolvency proceedings only concern the German legal entity of the group.
Zeiss tests e-commerce model with partner ECPs in India
ZEISS India has announced the launch of a new e-commerce initiative in partnership with local partner eye care professionals (ECPs). The company said that the new service, dubbed Lead Generation Service, was aimed at enhancing the optical retail of its local partners by providing them with an additional sales channel ...
Conant Optical revenue and profit up sharply in 2024 on volume and price mix effects
Annual sales were up by 18 percent to RMB 2,061 million. The company is investing into increasing production capacities and smart eyewear lens R&D.
