Trend for budget-friendly eyewear continues

The US Vision Council ’s latest report highlights a continued trend toward more budget-friendly frame and lens purchases, as consumers buying in-person increasingly opt for spending less than US$100 (NZ$168) on eyewear.

This movement away from higher out-of-pocket spending on luxury eyewear options has remained consistent over the past two years and became even more pronounced in the third quarter of 2024, authors wrote. Online purchases, in contrast, are not following this budget-focused trend.

Other key findings from this quarter showed a decline in annual eye exams, a resurgence in online contact lens sales and new data on out-of-pocket eye-exam spending.

The latest Consumer inSights survey underscores that consumers are continuing to make more cost-conscious choices, said Alysse Henkel, vice president of research and insights at the Vision Council. “Online eyewear purchases haven’t mirrored this same shift, and the slight decline in the online share of eyewear purchases we’re seeing suggests in-person shopping remains a crucial channel for consumers looking to maximise value.” Understanding these consumer trends can help retailers and manufacturers tailor offerings to meet evolving preferences in the optical market, she said.

Key highlights for quarter three, 2024:

86% with a recent purchase said they bought in-person, while 14% said they bought their eyewear online. Online purchases of new glasses during the first three quarters of 2024 have dropped to their lowest levels in two years

56% of Gen Z and 58% of Millennial respondents reported having an exam in the past year, down eight and four points respectively from the previous quarter