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 slightly last week (June 27-July 3) at a rate of -1 index point. That places gross revenue at a level 6 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 27) when compared with last year. During the two years prior to that, the Fourth of July holiday fell within the period of time being tracked, which is why gross revenue during Week 27 of 2020 was 17 points below Week 27 of 2022, and gross revenue during the same time period of 2019 was 35 points below this year.

BUSINESS METRICS

Optical sales categories were mixed last week when compared with the previous week, ranging from an increase of 3 index points for contact lenses to a decrease of 2 index points for exams/refractions. Frame units were flat, and both gross revenue and lens pairs were down -1 index point. When comparing last week’s optical sales with the same period last year, categories were either up or flat. Gross revenue experienced the largest increase (6 index points) when comparing Week 27 this year with the same period last year. Also up were exams/refractions (3 index points) and contact lenses (2 index points). Both frame units and lens pairs were flat when comparing this year with last.

SNAPSHOT

With optical sales categories mixed when comparing last week with the previous week, one category (gross revenue at 111 index points) remained at a level above an average week in 2019 (the index baseline assigned a value of 100 for this Optical Business Tracker), and one category (contact lenses) was equal to that benchmark. The other categories were below 100 index points, at 97 for frame units and at 96 for exams/refractions and lens pairs.

*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.