This tracker measures sales trends comparing pre-pandemic, during the pandemic, and post-pandemic.

We selected 1,500 optical locations that have been operating and reporting their sales to our partners, GPN and ABB Analyze, since 2019. We re-based the index to an average week in 2019. This new index base will be used as an arbitrary benchmark and assigned a value of 100.

GROSS REVENUE 3-YEAR TREND

The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations was flat last week (Jan. 3-9). That places gross revenue at a level below where it was at this point in time (Week 2) when compared with all three previous years.

BUSINESS METRICS

Optical sales were varied last week, with most categories either flat or down and only one category (contact lenses) increasing. Sales of contact lenses increased at a rate of 11 index points, while exams/refractions experienced the smallest decline of -1 index point, and frame units had the largest decrease of -9 index points.

SNAPSHOT

With optical sales categories increasing, decreasing, or remaining flat last week, only two are at levels above an average week in 2019 (the index baseline assigned a value of 100 for this Optical Business Tracker). The contact lenses category’s increase of 11 index points brought it to 8 index points above the benchmark of 100, and gross revenue remaining unchanged leaves it at a level 4 points above. The three other categories (exams/refractions, frame units, lens pairs) are at levels below an average week in 2019.

*The index baseline was developed by Jobson Research from total sales from an average week in 2019. This index baseline is equivalent to a score of 100. All other time periods going forward are calculated as a percent increase or decrease from the 100 baseline index of that period. This index is intended to show directional and magnitudinal change that the market is experiencing. Actual index scores are arbitrary meaning the baseline of 100 is simply used as a benchmark. Jobson Research shall not be held liable for any use or misuse of the data described and/or contained herein.

Please note that practices that use practice analytic systems tend to skew a bit larger and have higher revenue than practices that do not.

Source: GPN/EDGEPro and ABB Analyze contributed anonymous sales data used to determine gross revenue, exams/refractions, frame units, lens pairs, and contact lens boxes. Data was collected from approximately 1,500 independent eye care practices.

For more information from Jobson Research contact jwaller@jobson.com,

you may also reach out to GPN/EDGEPro and ABB Analyze directly.