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This Key Note Market Assessment report provides an analysis of the opticians and optical goods market, which includes spectacles, contact lenses and solutions, laser eye treatment, private sight tests and general ophthalmic services. It updates a previous Opticians & Optical Goods Market Assessment report published in 2006.

The spectacles sector has shown steady growth in value since 2003, due to increases in the number of sight tests taken and the various sales promotions undertaken. However, the sector remains highly competitive, and a number of the leading chains are currently and actively promoting their economically priced range of spectacles. The leading suppliers of spectacles and frames include: Carl Zeiss/SOLA; Essilor; Luxottica; Rodenstock; Safilo; Silhouette; and the UK-based Norville.

Changes made in 2005 to the 1989 UK Opticians Act — which allowed contact lenses to be supplied under the `general direction' of a qualified practitioner, rather than requiring the `supervision' of sales — continue to have an impact on the market. The changes opened up the retail market for contact lenses to an extended range of sellers, including the major supermarket chains and online retailers, for which price is a major selling point. The supply of contact lenses and solutions continues to be concentrated in the hands of a few large US multinationals, including Johnson & Johnson, Bausch & Lomb, CooperVision, Advanced Medical Optics and Alcon Laboratories. Swiss-owned CIBA VISION is one of Europe's leading suppliers, and daysoft is one of the leading UK suppliers.

The laser eye-treatment sector received a boost in March 2006 when the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance that laser eye surgery was safe enough and sufficiently effective to be carried out on appropriately selected patients. Since then, the number of clinics offering laser eye surgery has increased and the three market leaders in the sector — Optical Express, Optimax and Ultralase — have all announced plans to increase further the number of clinics they operate.

The retail environment in the opticians market remains highly competitive, and expansion and consolidation remain key features. For example, Specsavers has recently opened its 1,000th outlet worldwide; and in May 2008, Vision Express acquired the GC Bateman Group of opticians (Batemans Opticians). Tesco has announced plans to double its number of in-store optician practices during 2008, and Black & Lizars, a Scotland-based optician company, aims to almost treble the number of stores it operates following its acquisition in April 2008 by a consortium of European investors.

Almost two-thirds of the world's population are thought to need corrective eyewear, although little more than a quarter of the global population wear glasses. The highest wearer rates are in the developed markets of North America, Europe and Japan, whereas in other parts of the world, including Asia-Pacific, wearer rates are considerably lower. Much of the future potential for the corrective eyewear industry lies in developing the markets in Asia-Pacific.

In original consumer research commissioned exclusively by Key Note for this report, 89.6% of adults said that knowledgeable staff and a clean and tidy environment were important to them in choosing an optician. The survey also found that a substantial percentage of respondents felt that price was the most important factor when choosing an optician. An increasing proportion of adults are put off from having their eyes tested regularly because of the eye-test fee.

The UK opticians and optical goods market is expected to remain highly competitive over the next 5 years (to 2012), with the impact of the `credit crunch', and its effects on retail sales in general, expected to have some negative consequences in the short term. Nevertheless, the value of the sector is projected to show steady growth over the forecast period from 2008 to 2012 — with further consolidation within the opticians sector and increasing competition from the multiples and online eyewear sellers being expected to place more pressure on the smaller optician chains and the independent opticians.  
 

Executive Summary

1. Introduction

BACKGROUND

DEFINITIONS

Opticians

Principal Sight Conditions

Spectacles

Contact Lenses

Laser Eye Surgery

2. Strategic Overview

INTRODUCTION

FACTORS AFFECTING THE MARKET

Sales of Spectacles Continue to Subsidise Eye Tests

Expansion in the Optical Market

Increasing Retail Competition for Contact Lenses

Laser Eye Surgery

VISION 2020

Demographic Changes

Table 1: UK Projected Population by Age Group (000), 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021, 2026 and 2031

Table 2: UK Projected Population by Age Group (%), 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021, 2026 and 2031

SIGHT TESTS

Table 3: NHS Sight Tests in England by Category of Eligibility (% of NHS sight tests), Year Ending 31st March 2007

Table 4: Number of NHS and Private Sight Tests in Great Britain (000), Years Ending 31st March 2003-2007

Table 5: Action Taken Following Eye Test (%), Years Ending 31st March 2003-2007

Table 6: Vouchers Redeemed as a Proportion of NHS Sight Tests in England and Wales (000 and %), Years Ending 31st March 2003-2007

Table 7: Number of Pairs of Spectacles For Which Vouchers Were Reimbursed, by Patient Eligibility and Country (000), Year Ending 31st March 2007

Table 8: Average Expenditure on a Pair of Spectacles Purchased with NHS Vouchers (£), Years Ending 31st March 2003-2007

Registered Practitioners

Optometrists

Table 9: Number of Optometrists Registered in the UK with the General Optical Council, 2006

Dispensing Opticians

Table 10: Number of Dispensing Opticians Registered in the UK with the General Optical Council, 2006

MARKET DYNAMICS AND SEGMENTATION

Table 11: The Total UK Market for Optical Goods and Services by Sector by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2003-2007

Figure 1: The Total UK Market for Optical Goods and Services by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2003-2007

DISTRIBUTION

COMPETITIVE STRUCTURE

ADVERTISING

Table 12: Main Media Advertising Expenditure by Opticians and on Optical Goods and Services by Sector (£000 and %), Year Ending December 2007

THE CONSUMER

MARKET FORECASTS

Table 13: The Forecast UK Market for Optical Goods and Services by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2008-2012

3. Spectacle Frames and Lenses

BACKGROUND

MARKET SIZE

Table 14: The UK Spectacles Sector by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2003-2007

Figure 2: The UK Spectacles Sector by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2003-2007

Table 15: The UK Spectacles Sector by Type of Lens by Volume (%), December 2007

CONSUMER TRENDS

MARKETING ACTIVITY

ADVERTISING

Table 16: Main Media Advertising Expenditure on Spectacle Frames and Lenses (£000), Year Ending December 2007

DISTRIBUTION

4. Contact Lenses

BACKGROUND

MARKET SIZE

Contact Lenses

Table 17: Number of Contact Lens Wearers in the UK (000), 2003-2007

Table 18: The UK Contact Lenses Sector by Type of Lens Prescribed (%), 2007

Table 19: The UK Contact Lenses Sector by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2003-2007

Figure 3: The UK Contact Lenses Sector by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2003-2007

Contact Lens Solutions

Table 20: The UK Contact Lens Solutions Sector by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2003-2007

Figure 4: The UK Contact Lens Solutions Sector by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2003-2007

CONSUMER TRENDS

MARKETING ACTIVITY

ADVERTISING

Table 21: Main Media Advertising Expenditure on Selected Contact Lens Brands (£000 and %), Year Ending December 2007

DISTRIBUTION

5. Laser Eye Treatment

BACKGROUND

NUMBER OF CLINICS

Table 22: Number of Laser Eye Clinics in the UK, 2003-2007

Table 23: Number of Laser Eye Clinics in the UK by Operator (number and %), 2007

Prices Charged

Table 24: Typical Treatment Charges for LASIK and LASEK Laser Eye Surgery — Cost Per Eye (£), 2003-2007

Number of Treatments Performed Per Year

MARKET SIZE

Table 25: The UK Laser Eye Treatment Sector by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2003-2007

Figure 5: The UK Laser Eye Treatment Sector by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2003-2007

CONSUMER TRENDS

MARKETING ACTIVITY

ADVERTISING

Table 26: Main Media Advertising Expenditure on Laser Vision Correction (£000), Years Ending December 2003-2007

Table 27: Main Media Advertising Expenditure on Laser Vision Correction by Brand (£000 and %), Year Ending December 2007

DISTRIBUTION

6. Opticians and Retailers

BACKGROUND

MARKET SIZE

Table 28: Number of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registered in the UK with the General Optical Council, 2002-2006

Sight Tests

Table 29: Number of Sight Tests Carried Out Privately and on the NHS in Great Britain (million), Years Ending 31st March 2003-2007

Table 30: Fees for Sight Tests Carried Out Privately and on the NHS in Great Britain (£), Years Ending 31st March 2003-2007

Table 31: Income From Sight-Test Fees Carried Out Privately and on the NHS in Great Britain (£m), Years Ending 31st March 2003-2007

Figure 6: Total Income From Sight-Test Fees Carried Out Privately and on the NHS in Great Britain (£m), Years Ending 31st March 2003-2007

Number of Opticians' Premises

Table 32: Number of Opticians' Premises in the UK, 2003-2007

Table 33: UK Multiple Opticians by Number of Outlets (number of branches and %), 2005 and 2007

CONSUMER TRENDS

MARKETING ACTIVITY

ADVERTISING

Table 34: Main Media Advertising Expenditure by Opticians (£000 and %), Years Ending December 2003-2007

Table 35: Main Media Advertising Expenditure by the Leading Opticians (£000 and %), Years Ending December 2006 and 2007

DISTRIBUTION

7. An International Perspective

OVERVIEW

Penetration of Corrective Eyewear

Table 36: Population by Region and Percentage Using Corrective Eyewear (million and %), 2005

SPECTACLES AND LENSES

Table 37: Optical Design for the Correction of Presbyopia by Region (% of total), 2005

CONTACT LENSES

Table 38: World Market Shares of the Leading Suppliers of Soft Contact Lenses (%), 2007

Table 39: Contact Lenses Worn by Type of Lens Prescribed in Selected Countries (%), 2007

LASER EYE SURGERY

8. PEST Analysis

POLITICAL FACTORS

Health Care and Associated Professions Order 2008

The Optical Consumer Complaints Service

US Food and Drug Administration Study into the Effects of LASIK Treatment

ECONOMIC FACTORS

Mergers and Acquisitions

Funding for Professional Training

Regulations Regarding the Sale and Supply of Contact Lenses

SOCIAL FACTORS

UK Vision Strategy

Take-Up of Eye Examinations

TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

Online Call-Back Services

Advances in Screening and Diagnostic Technologies

9. Consumer Dynamics

OVERVIEW

Table 40: Summary of Attitudes Towards Opticians and Eye Care (% of respondents), June 2006 and April 2008

Analysis of Penetration Levels

SMALLER, LOCAL OPTICIANS VERSUS LARGE CHAINS, AND INFLUENCE OF PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

``I Use or Would Prefer to Use Smaller, Local Opticians for My Eye-Care Needs``

``I Use or Would Prefer to Use a Large Optician Chain, Such as Boots or Vision Express, for Eye Tests or Buying Contact Lenses or Glasses``

``When Choosing an Optician, I Rely Mostly on Personal Recommendation``

Table 41: Smaller, Local Opticians versus Large Chains, and Influence of Personal Recommendations (% of respondents), 2008

REQUIREMENTS FROM OPTICIANS

``Knowledgeable Staff and a Tidy, Hygienic Environment Are Important to Me When Choosing an Optician``

``Price is Important to Me When Choosing an Optician``

``Special Offers, Like a Second Pair of Contact Lenses or Glasses Free, Are Important to Me When I Choose an Optician``

``Same-Day Service or Overnight Service is Important to Me``

Table 42: Requirements from Opticians — Staff Knowledge and Hygienic Environment, Special Offers, Low Price and Same-Day or Overnight Service (% of respondents), 2008

ATTITUDES TOWARDS WEARING GLASSES

``I Feel It Is More Acceptable to Wear Glasses Nowadays, as They Have Become More Fashionable``

``I Wear Glasses Because They Suit My Needs and the Styles of Frames These Days Are More Fashionable Than in the Past``

``I Am Prepared to Pay More for Designer Frames``

Table 43: Attitudes Towards Wearing Glasses (% of respondents), 2008

ATTITUDES TOWARDS EYESIGHT AND EYESIGHT TESTS

``I Am a Regular PC User and Am Concerned About the Possible Effects on My Eyesight in the Short or Long Term``

``The Eye-Test Fee Puts Me Off Having My Eyes Tested as Regularly As I Should``

``I Sometimes Suffer From Headaches or Eyestrain, But Do Not Have My Eyes Tested Regularly``

Table 44: Concerns About the Effects on Eyesight of Regularly Using PCs, Being Dissuaded by the Cost of Eye Tests and Not Having Eye Tests Despite Having Eyestrain (% of respondents), 2008

ATTITUDES TOWARDS CONTACT LENSES

``I Wear Contact Lenses Rather Than Glasses Because They Are More Convenient and Less Obtrusive``

``I Am Put Off Wearing Contact Lenses by Publicity Surrounding the Risk of Eye Infection if Cleaning and Wearing Regimes Are Not Followed Carefully``

Table 45: Attitudes and Concerns Relating to Wearing Contact Lenses (% of respondents), 2008

10. Company Profiles

SPECTACLES

Carl Zeiss Vision UK Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 46: Financial Results for Carl Zeiss Vision UK Ltd (£000 and %), Year Ending 31st March 2005, 26 Weeks Ending 30th September 2005 and Year Ending 30th September 2006

Recent and Future Developments

Essilor Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 47: Financial Results for Essilor Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 31st December 2005-2007

Future Developments

The Norville Group Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 48: Financial Results for The Norville Group Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 31st December 2004-2006

Future Developments

Rodenstock (UK) Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 49: Financial Results for Rodenstock (UK) Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 31st December 2004-2006

Future Developments

Other Companies

Luxottica Group SpA

Safilo Group SpA

Silhouette

CONTACT LENSES

Alcon Laboratories (UK) Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 50: Financial Results for Alcon Laboratories (UK) Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 31st December 2004-2006

Future Developments

Bausch & Lomb UK Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 51: Financial Results for Bausch & Lomb UK Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 31st December 2003-2005

Future Developments

CIBA VISION (UK) Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 52: Financial Results for CIBA VISION (UK) Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 31st December 2005-2007

Future Developments

CooperVision Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 53: Financial Results for CooperVision Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 31st October 2004-2006

Future Developments

Johnson & Johnson Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 54: Financial Results for Johnson & Johnson Ltd (£000 and %), 53 Weeks Ending 2nd January 2005 and Years Ending 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2006

Future Developments

Other Companies

Advanced Medical Optics Inc

daysoft Ltd

Sauflon Pharmaceuticals Ltd

UltraVision CLPL

LASER EYE TREATMENT

Optical Express Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 55: Financial Results for Optical Express Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 26th March 2005 and 25th March 2006, and 40 Weeks Ending 30th December 2006

Future Developments

Optimax Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Future Developments

Ultralase Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 56: Financial Results for Ultralase Ltd (£000 and %), Year Ending 31st July 2004, 74 Weeks Ending 31st December 2005 and Year Ending 31st December 2006

Future Developments

Other Companies

OPTICIANS

Boots Opticians Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 57: Financial Results for Boots Opticians Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 31st March 2005-2007

Future Developments

Dollond & Aitchison Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 58: Financial Results for Dollond & Aitchison Ltd (£000 and %), 53 Weeks Ending 1st January 2005 and Years Ending 31st December 2005 and 30th December 2006

Future Developments

Specsavers Optical Superstores Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 59: Financial Results for Specsavers Optical Superstores Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 28th February 2005-2007

Future Developments

Vision Express (UK) Ltd

Corporate Strategy

Profitability

Table 60: Financial Results for Vision Express (UK) Ltd (£000 and %), Years Ending 31st December 2004-2006

Future Developments

Other Companies

ASDA

GC Bateman Group

Scrivens

Tesco

11. The Future

INTRODUCTION

FORECASTS

The Total Market

By Market Sector

Table 61: The Forecast UK Market for Optical Goods and Services by Sector by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2008-2012

Figure 7: The Forecast UK Market for Optical Goods and Services by Value at Current Prices (£m at rsp), 2008-2012

12. Further Sources

Associations

Publications

General Sources

Government Publications

Other Sources

Bisnode Sources