2026
9
UK Optical Goods Retailing Market Report 2026
2026-03-13T12:01:10+00:00
REP76C0A5B6_F8CD_4001_80A5_B6F8CD900153
2995
191988
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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."

Tamara Sender Ceron, Associate Director, Fashion Retail

Tamara Sender Ceron, Associate Director, Fashion Retail

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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  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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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