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Jobson Optical Research
is tracking national and regional optical business metrics for the U.S.

*This index baseline was developed by Jobson Research from total sales from an average week in 2019.

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 (April 18-24) at a rate of 4 index points. That places gross revenue at a level 3 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 17) when compared with last year and 8 points above 2019. During 2020, however, with pandemic-related, mandated shutdowns in effect, gross revenue was at a level of 18 index points. That’s 91 points below Week 17 of this year.

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BUSINESS METRICS

All optical sales categories increased last week, rebounding from the previous week’s holiday-related declines. When comparing last week with the previous week, increases ranged from 3 index points for contact lenses to 5 index points for frame units and lens pairs. When comparing optical sales with the previous year, categories were varied – frame units and lens pairs were each down -5 index points when comparing Week 17 this year with the same period last year. The other categories were up when comparing Week 17 this year with the same time last year, ranging from 2 index points for exams/refractions to 5 index points for contact lenses.

SNAPSHOT

With optical sales up across the board last week, three categories reached levels that were either equal to or above an average week in 2019 (the index baseline assigned a value of 100 for this Optical Business Tracker). Gross revenue, frame units, and lens pairs were equal to or above that benchmark, while exams/refractions and contact lenses were below.

*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.

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