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 25-May 1) at a rate of 1 index point. That places gross revenue at a level 4 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 18) when compared with last year and 13 points above 2019. During 2020, however, with pandemic-related, mandated shutdowns in effect, gross revenue was at a level of 26 index points. That’s 83 points below Week 18 of this year.

BUSINESS METRICS

All but one optical sales category increased last week. When comparing last week with the previous week, the exams/refractions category was the only one to decrease (by -1 index point), while all other categories were up, all by 1 index point except frame units, which increased by 3 index points. When comparing optical sales with the previous year, categories were both up and down. The contact lenses category was up the most (by 8 index points) when comparing Week 18 of this year with the same period last year. Also up were gross revenue (4 index points) and exams/refractions (2 index points). Down were frame units (-1 index point) and lens pairs (-3 index points) when comparing Week 18 this year with the same period last year.

SNAPSHOT

With optical sales varied last week, three categories reached levels 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 at 109, 104, and 102 index points, respectively, while exams/refractions and contact lenses were below, at 93 and 88 index points, respectively.

*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.