For the most up-to-date market research on the UK optical goods retail market, take a look at Mintel’s newly published UK Optical Goods Retailing Market Report 2025
Key Issues Covered in this Report
- The short-, medium- and long-term impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the optical goods market
- Analysis of the size of the optical goods market and forecast for the next five years
- Types of eyewear purchased, including channels and retailers used, and any differences to previous years
- Current and future behaviour around purchasing optical goods
- Attitudes towards optical goods purchasing and products
UK Optical Goods Retailing Market – Consumer Insights
Habit dictates usage
Over two-thirds of consumers oped to choose an optician because it was one they have used before. Client-optician relationships have always been a vital part of the industry, and consumers value familiarity when it comes to their eyecare provider.
Consumers worry around eye health
Over half of consumers are worried about the effects of extended screen time on their eye health. Retailers should provide education on eye health outside of an appointment, as well as encouraging more frequent eye tests even when there is no change in vision.
Purchase the full report for a comprehensive over of the UK optical goods retail market, including the eyewear industry statistics and growth opportunities you need to know.
More About this Report
This Report covers 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.
Expert Analysis from a Retail Specialist
This report, written by Neil Mason, Mintel’s Head of Retail Research, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the UK optical goods retailing market and add expert context to the numbers.
The ageing population and the continued digitalisation of consumer lifestyles offers ample room for growth in the ever-consistent optical goods market. Those in the industry should be ready to offer a variety of eye care options, while still considering value.
Neil Mason
Head of Retail Research
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- Key issues covered in this Report
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Executive Summary
- Opportunities for the optical goods market
- Market dynamics and outlook
- What consumers want and why
- Graph 1: eyewear purchasing, 2021-23
- Graph 2: channels used to purchase optical goods, 2023
- Graph 3: online and in-store purchasing of glasses, 2023
- Graph 4: retailers used to purchase optical goods, 2023
- Graph 5: current and future behaviours around optical goods, 2023
- Graph 6: attitudes towards optical goods, 2023
- Graph 7: attitudes towards optical goods, 2023
- Retailer activity
- Graph 8: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on optical goods, 2019-23
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Market Dynamics
- Market size
- Graph 9: estimated market size for optical goods and non-prescription sunglasses, 2019-23
- Market forecast
- Market segmentation
- Graph 10: estimated consumer spending on optical goods and services, by category, 2023
- Macro-economic factors
- Graph 11: CPI inflation rate, 2021-23
- Social, environmental and legal factors
- Graph 12: projected population levels, by age group, 2023-2033
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What Consumers Want and Why
- Eye and hearing tests
- Graph 13: number of consumers having had an eye test or hearing test in the last two years, 2019-23
- Graph 14: number of consumers having had an eye test or hearing test in the last two years, by age group, 2023
- Graph 15: number of consumers having had an eye test or hearing test in the last two years, by area, 2023
- Graph 16: reasons for choosing to get an eye test/contact lens check, 2023
- Graph 17: reasons for choosing to get an eye test/contact lens check, 2023
- Eyewear purchasing
- Graph 18: eyewear purchasing, 2021-23
- Retailers and channels used
- Graph 19: channels used to purchase optical goods, 2023
- Graph 20: online and in-store purchasing of glasses, 2023
- Graph 21: retailers used to purchase optical goods, 2023
- Current and future behaviours
- Graph 22: current and future behaviours around optical goods, 2023
- Attitudes towards optical goods
- Graph 23: attitudes towards optical goods, 2023
- Graph 24: attitudes towards optical goods, 2023
- Graph 25: agreement with the statement “there are too many styles of glasses/contact lenses”, 2023
- Graph 26: agreement with the statement “I always repurchase the same brand of glasses/contact lenses”, 2023
- Graph 27: agreement with the statement “Getting a good deal on my glasses/contact lenses is important to me”, 2023
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Retailer Activity
- Leading Retailers
- Launch activity and innovation
- Advertising and Marketing Activity
- Graph 28: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on optical goods, 2019-23
- Graph 29: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on optical goods, by media type, 2023
- Brand research
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Appendix
- Market forecast data and methodology
- Report scope and definitions
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