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 Analyze, 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

The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations increased last week (March 21-27) at a rate of 5 index points. That places gross revenue at a level 2 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 13) when compared with last year and 12 points above 2019. During 2020, however, pandemic-related, mandated shutdowns brought gross revenue to only 22 index points during Week 13. That’s 95 points below Week 13 of this year.

BUSINESS METRICS

All optical sales categories increased last week, ranging from gross revenue’s and frame units’ 5 index points to 3 index points for exams/refractions. Both lens pairs and contact lenses were up by 4 index points.

SNAPSHOT

With optical sales up across the board last week, four of five categories reached levels above an average week in 2019 (the index baseline assigned a value of 100 for this Optical Business Tracker). Categories ranged from 103 index points for exams/refractions to 117 index points for gross revenue. The only category below an average week in 2019 was contact lenses at 97 index points.

*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.