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 decreased last week (Jan. 31-Feb. 6) at a rate of -5 index points. That places gross revenue at a level below where it was at this point in time (Week 6) last year (-6 index points) as well as below where it was in 2020 (-4 index points). However, last week’s average gross revenue was 4 index points above where it was during Week 6 in 2019.

BUSINESS METRICS

All optical sales categories decreased last week, ranging from -4 index points for frame units to -7 index points for contact lenses. Major storms covering a large part of the middle of the country with snow and ice from Texas to Maine last week were likely a contributing factor to across-the-board declining sales.

SNAPSHOT

With all optical sales decreasing last week, only one category (gross revenue) remains above an average week in 2019 (the index baseline assigned a value of 100 for this Optical Business Tracker). All other optical sales categories are below that benchmark, ranging from -4 index points below (lens pairs and frame units) to -8 points below (exams/refractions).

*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.