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Report
en_GB
The optical goods market in the UK remains resilient supported by a stable demand base driven by an ageing population and greater consumer emphasis on preventive health. Despite ongoing economic…
UK
Retail
Accessories and Jewellery
simple
UK Optical Goods Retailing Market Report 2026
"The market is growing in importance driven by fashion trends, as well as collaborations between eyewear brands, technology companies and sports brands."
UK Optical Goods Retailing Market – Trends and Insights
The optical goods market in the UK remains resilient supported by a stable demand base driven by an ageing population and greater consumer emphasis on preventive health. Despite ongoing economic pressures and sector‑wide margin constraints, the industry can take advantage of a growing shift among customers towards more premium, customised products and solutions.
There has been a decline in purchasing of prescription glasses and contact lenses among women aged 18-34 and there is scope to use social media to drive purchasing and promote eyewear as the latest fashion statement. Key to appealing to this demographic could also be allowing them to buy directly via social media and using live streaming as more fashion retailers are doing.
The rise in people taking part in sports and fitness activities has led to a surge in demand for specific eyewear for active lifestyles including sports sunglasses with wraparound styles to stay in place during activities, prescription sports glasses and sweat-resistant frames. There are opportunities for opticians to push the sports eyewear category via initiatives in-store and online, as well as partnerships and collaborations.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
The short-, medium- and long-term impact of cost of living pressures on eye tests and purchasing of glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses.
The reasons consumers choose a particular optician to get an eye test/contact lens check and barriers to not having an eye test in the last two years.
Preferred channels and retailers for purchasing optical goods and the importance of value in driving purchasing.
Most important factors when choosing one optical goods retailer to purchase from over another, with value a key purchase driver.
Consumer interest when shopping online in virtual try-on and using social media for researching glasses styles and trends.
Report Scope
This Report examines the UK market for core goods and services sold through opticians including:
Eye tests
Prescription sunglasses
Spectacle frames and lenses (the terms glasses and spectacles are used interchangeably)
Contact lenses (including aftercare)
Contact lens solutions through opticians, chemists and other outlets
Non-prescription sunglasses, including those sold by outlets other than opticians.
In addition, this Report includes eye care solutions, such as Optrex, eye baths and eye masks, which are used for the treatment of sore and tired eyes.
For the purposes of this Report, retail opticians’ shops and optical practices refer to shops staffed by qualified opticians. There are three types of practitioner:
Optometrists or Ophthalmic Opticians are registered with the General Optical Council and specialise in sight testing and the prescribing and dispensing of spectacles and optical appliances. They are trained to recognise eye diseases and abnormalities, which may require further medical intervention.
Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners (OMPs) are fully qualified doctors with a speciality in eyes and eye care. They are registered with the General Medical Council and can test sight and prescribe spectacles and other appliances. They are also trained in the detection and treatment of eye diseases and abnormalities.
Dispensing Opticians are qualified to dispense, fit and supply spectacles, but they require an additional certificate to fit contact lenses. Dispensing opticians with additional qualifications can become contact lens opticians. Contact lenses may also be fitted by qualified OMPs and optometrists.
The following products may be discussed in the consumer analysis and referenced within the Report. However, they are excluded from market value sizes:
Eye creams and gels for the skin around the eyes
Prescription and over-the-counter eye drops for the treatment of allergies or eye infections
Accessories such as spectacle cases and contact lens containers
Laser eye surgery
Hearing aids
Minor Eye Conditions Service.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for the optical goods market
Opportunities
Buying glasses can be made more convenient and seamless
Tapping into demand for sports eyewear
Latest eyewear technology can drive sales
THE MARKET
The economic environment continues to throw up challenges
Brits are getting older
Changing sector
Snapshot – market size and forecast
Market size and forecast
Optical goods spending sees consistent growth
Graph 1: market size and forecast for optical goods, 2019-30
Retailer activity
Opticians benefit from an increase in average spend
Specsavers sees revenue rise and maintains largest share of the market
Graph 2: top opticians with the highest market share based on total spend over 12 months, January 2026
Specsavers taps into demand for versatility
Vision Express grows customers and spend
Graph 3: leading opticians by growth in customers and growth in spending within the Snoop cohort, 2024-25
THE CONSUMER
Eye tests
Further decline in eye tests
Graph 4: number of consumers having had an eye test or hearing test in the last two years, 2019-25
Access is a key barrier
Barriers to booking an eye test
Affordability is an issue, but so is forgetting to book
Eyewear purchasing
Purchasing of prescription glasses dips
Graph 5: eyewear purchasing, 2023-25
Eyewear as a fashion statement
Young men want to wear glasses
Tapping into demand for sports eyewear
Women aged 55+ keen on glasses with transition lens
Graph 6: interest in types of eyewear, 2025
Where people buy optical goods
Specsavers leads the market
Graph 7: retailers used to purchase optical goods, 2025
Boots uses latest technology
Duncan & Todd rebrands
Consumers tend to stick with the same optician
Better selection of glasses brands
Pop Specs grows with focus on value
Interest in product innovation
Rising demand for smart glasses
New smart glasses launches drive interest
Glasses that combine sight and hearing
Modernising the shopping journey
In-store purchasing remains key
Buying glasses can be made more convenient and seamless
A more customised try-on experience
Tiered eye care plans with repair option
INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Boots launches new TV campaign
Specsavers promotes contact lenses for playing padel
AI designed eyewear
Frames created using AI
Smart glasses features continue advancing
Sustainable eyewear
Sustainable frames
Recycling initiatives take off
APPENDIX
Market definition
Market definition (continued)
Market definition – exclusions
The market
Forecast methodology
Forecast methodology – fan chart
Market forecast and prediction intervals
Retailer activity
High street opticians dominate the market
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology – EMEA
Infegy Starscape coverage
Snoop SpendMapper methodology
Abbreviations and terms
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