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 decreased last week (April 11-17) at a rate of -9 index points. That places gross revenue at a level -3 points below where it was at this point in time (Week 16) when compared with last year but 5 points above 2019. During 2020, however, with pandemic-related, mandated shutdowns in effect, gross revenue was at a level of 15 index points. That’s 90 points below Week 16 of this year.

BUSINESS METRICS

All optical sales categories decreased last week, likely due in part to the convergence of major religious holidays. Declines ranged from a low of -7 index points for contact lenses to a high of -11 index points for lens pairs. Last year, Easter weekend was Week 14, which experienced a similar drop across categories.

SNAPSHOT

With all optical sales decreasing last week, only one category remains at a level above an average week in 2019 (the index baseline assigned a value of 100 for this Optical Business Tracker). At 105 index points, gross revenue is above an average week in 2019, while all other optical sales categories are below that benchmark.

*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.