This tracker measures sales trends comparing pre-pandemic, during the pandemic, and post-pandemic.

We selected 1,500 optical locations that have been operating and reporting their sales to our partners, GPN and ABB Analytics, since 2019. We re-based the index to an average week in 2019. This new index base will be used as an arbitrary benchmark and assigned a value of 100.

GROSS REVENUE 3-YEAR TREND

While overall optical sales showed slight improvement last week (June 21-27), the national average for gross revenue at ECP locations fell -1 index point. This slight decline brought gross revenue to a level that was 4 index points below where it had been at this same time period last year but 2 index points above where it had been two years ago at the same point in 2019.

BUSINESS METRICS

All optical sales categories improved last week, except gross revenue. While gross revenue fell by -1 index point, all other categories increased by either 1 index point (for exams/refractions and contact lenses) or by 2 index points (for frame units and lens pairs). This brings sales of frame units and lens pairs in line with where they were in 2019 but below where they were last year, while exams/refractions and contact lenses remain below where they were at this point in time during both 2019 and 2020.

SNAPSHOT

With most optical sales categories taking a slight upturn last week (except gross revenue), they all remain at similar levels in relation to each other. Gross revenue, even with a decrease of -1 index point, continues to be the only category performing at sales rates above an average week in 2019, while all other categories remain below that index level.

*The index baseline was developed by Jobson Research from total sales from an average week in 2019. This index baseline is equivalent to a score of 100. All other time periods going forward are calculated as a percent increase or decrease from the 100 baseline index of that period. This index is intended to show directional and magnitudinal change that the market is experiencing. Actual index scores are arbitrary meaning the baseline of 100 is simply used as a benchmark. Jobson Research shall not be held liable for any use or misuse of the data described and/or contained herein.

Please note that practices that use practice analytic systems tend to skew a bit larger and have higher revenue than practices that do not.

Source: GPN/EDGEPro and ABB Analyze contributed anonymous sales data used to determine gross revenue, exams/refractions, frame units, lens pairs, and contact lens boxes. Data was collected from approximately 1,500 independent eye care practices.

For more information from Jobson Research contact jwaller@jobson.com,

you may also reach out to GPN/EDGEPro and ABB Analyze directly.