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 increased last week (Dec. 6-12) at a rate of 2 index points. That brings gross revenue to a level between where it was at this point in time (Week 50) during 2019 (2 index points above) and last year (1 index point below).

BUSINESS METRICS

Sales increased in all optical categories (except contact lens) at rates of 3 index points (frame units) and 2 index points (lens pairs, exams/refractions, gross revenue) when comparing last week with the previous week (Nov. 29-Dec. 5). The contact lenses category was the only one that decreased (-3 index points) last week.

SNAPSHOT

With all optical sales categories except contact lenses increasing last week, their index levels (except contact lenses) improved in relation to an average week in 2019 (the index baseline assigned a value of 100 for this Optical Business Tracker). Gross revenue, exams/refractions, lens pairs, and frame units all remain above that benchmark, while the contact lenses category remains below.

*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.