Blog

November 4, 2020May 19, 2026

EssilorLuxottica Q3 2020: Strong Recovery Driven by Resilient Optical Business

EssilorLuxottica announced that consolidated revenue for the third quarter of 2020 totalled Euro 4,085 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 5.2% (-1.1% at constant exchange rates) and highlighting a strong sequential recovery compared to the second quarter of 2020. For the first nine months of 2020, consolidated revenue amounted to Euro 10,315 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 21.2% (-20.0% at constant exchange rates).

“We are pleased with the strong rebound that our Company delivered during the third quarter and proud of all of our employees who made this possible. They swiftly adapted to a challenging environment and a new way of working, enabling the company to continue its solid recovery. (…)

Combined with our drive to promote our large portfolio of brands, digitalise the consumer journey and more broadly reshape and transform the eyecare and eyewear industry, this all gives us great confidence in the Group’s future prospects for 2021 and beyond”, commented Francesco Milleri, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Luxottica, and Paul du Saillant, CEO of Essilor.

In North America revenue decreased by 1.5% (up 2.5% at constant exchange rates). In Lenses & Optical instruments, the business continued its rebound throughout the quarter. This recovery was driven by independent ECPs who were quick to implement new safety protocols to leverage patient interactions, generate higher capture rates and improve their product mix. This was especially true in eye doctor alliances and with Essilor Experts.

Retail chains located in shopping malls lagged behind during the recovery. Online sales were up strong double digits during the quarter, driven by eyeglasses specialist EyeBuyDirect.com. In terms of products, Crizal anti-reflective lenses, Transitions GEN 8 photochromic lenses and Eyezen anti-fatigue solutions were some of the best sellers during the quarter. The new Varilux Comfort Max was launched in the USA during the quarter and the new Crizal Rock started in Canada in September. Instrument sales were up double digits as optometrists sought to improve the eye exam experience and the overall level of service.

Click HERE for the full press release.

November 4, 2020November 4, 2020

AAOF Announces 2020 VSP Practice Excellence Scholarship Recipients

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) and VSP Global® announce the recipients of this year’s Practice Excellence Scholarships, including four Canadian recipients. Nearly $164,000 were distributed to several top-performing fourth-year optometry students in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.

The scholarships are funded by VSP Global and administered through the AAOF. In total, VSP has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to optometry students.

The Practice Excellence Scholarship is a long-standing and prestigious award that represents the very best in what optometry has to offer in patient care, practice management and in the communities. Only two recipients from each of the 25 schools and colleges of Optometry were selected from nomination submitted by their individual institutions. Scholarship recipients were selected based on key criteria including the student’s commitment to enter the independent practice of optometry, and their clinical and academic performance.

Here are the 2020 Practice Excellence Scholarship recipients:

University of Montreal, School of Optometry — Anabel Cormier & Ariane Dupont

University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science — Joanne Han Qiao & Christina Chen

Chicago College of Optometry at Midwestern University — Michael DeStefano & Rema Idriss

Illinois College of Optometry — Phoebe Chow & Randi-Jo Francis

Indiana University School of Optometry — Sydney Lehman & Nina Rettig

Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry — Safinaz Gamini & Jessica Bertemati

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — Carolyn Te & Cynthia Noorani

Michigan College of Optometry — Azra Fazil-Jamal & Amanda Kruse

Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry — Bryan Grossman & Tyler Boyack

New England College of Optometry — Jonathan Elin-Calcador & Nathan Bates

Northeastern State University Oklahoma, College of Optometry — Kayla Cook & Kristina Flaig

NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry — Erik Kelly & Austin Mason

Ohio State University College of Optometry — Kirsten Sullivan & Veronica Schuver

Pacific University College of Optometry — Christina Goodrich & Megan Schmauder

Pennsylvania College of Optometry — Gina Piorkowski & Tanya Vigdal

Rosenberg School of Optometry — Bilal Ismail & Michelle Nguyen

Southern California College of Optometry — Bradley Kovach & Lauren Zabaleta

Southern College of Optometry – Jonathan Eide & Alec Waters

State University of New York College of Optometry — Anthony Boyd & Emily Shtull

University of Alabama at Birmingham — Sarah Kate Day & Whitney Powell

University of California-Berkeley, School of Optometry —Joanna Toner & Jeffrey Kong

University of Houston, College of Optometry — Linus Klingler & Sarah Wilting

University of Missouri–St. Louis, College of Optometry — Katelyn Flood & Kyle Carnahan

University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Optometry — Hannah Sigmon & Ambrosia Makini

Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry — Suparna Bajaj & Alexander Bennett

Click HERE for the full press release.

November 4, 2020May 19, 2026

Safilo: Q3 and 9 Months 2020 Trading Update

The Board of Directors of Safilo Group has reviewed and approved Q3 and the first nine months 2020 economic and financial key performance indicators.

In the third quarter of 2020 Safilo’s sales and economic results recorded a significant recovery compared to the severe downturn experienced in the first half of the year following the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent, extensive lockdown measures.

Q3 2020 net sales reached Euro 219.1 million, growing by 3.0% at current exchange rates and 6.0% at constant exchange rates compared to the same quarter of last year, with the key positive drivers represented by the significant rebound experienced by the wholesale market in North America, and the full-quarter contribution deriving from the recent acquisitions of Blenders Eyewear and Privé Revaux as reported in Optik NOW. The latter, together with the continuing progress recorded by Smith’s D2C sales and by the Group’s business generated through internet pure players, propelled Safilo’s total online sales to around 16% of Group total turnover.

In the third quarter, the positive sales development and the ongoing implementation of the Group’s cost saving actions and contingency measures allowed Safilo to return to a positive adjusted EBITDA of Euro 14.3 million, up 9.3% compared to the same quarter of 2019.

Angelo Trocchia, Safilo Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“After we were heavily impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak and the consequent global lockdowns between the first and the second quarters of the year, in the third quarter our business had a positive reaction reflecting, on one side, the sales rebound recorded in July as an expected catch-up effect after the strong H1 pandemic impacts, and, on the other side, a dynamic US market continuing into August and September, making North America the main driver of our recovery.(…)”

The recovery of Safilo’s organic business in the third quarter of 2020 was driven in part by a strong performance in North America, where the Group’s organic revenues were up 12.1% at constant exchange rates, mainly thanks to the solid sales recovery experienced by independent optical stores. All of Safilo’s core licensed brands, from Kate Spade to Tommy Hilfiger to Jimmy Choo, enjoyed a solid momentum driven by the growth of the prescription frames business.

The quarter in the market was a strong confirmation for Smith products, which recorded double-digit growth in the sports store channel and more than doubled their turnover in online channels.

In the third quarter of 2020, the organic online sales grew around 94% at constant exchange rates, thanks to the aforementioned growth of Smith’s D2C business and the Group’s sales through its internet pure players.

Click HERE for the full press release.

November 3, 2020November 3, 2020

Nikon Launches an Online Lens Selector for Patients and ECPs

Nikon announces the launch of the Lens Selector, a quick and easy digital solution to assess eye care professionals’ patient needs with just a few clicks. Its Online Quiz provides patients with a series of questions about their lifestyle and visual habits, after which they – and the ECP – get a clear picture of their optical profile, including a suggestion of the lenses that best fit their needs.

The Lens Selector’s Compare Feature allows patients to compare and familiarize themselves with the range of Nikon products that are available in a simple yet use-friendly way.

ECPs can share the quiz with their patients by redirecting them to the Nikon Lens Selector link, by creating a link on their website to the Lens Selector or by simply integrating the Nikon Lens Selector using the programming code.

Click HERE for the full press release.

November 2, 2020October 30, 2020

Etnia Barcelona Launches Terra, Schoolhouse Kids FW20 Collection

The Barcelona-based brand presents a continuation of its FW20 Terra campaign. Still I rise, which uses the earth as its focal point. The earth, just like the playground, which supports our footsteps and drives us forward to when we define ourselves as adults.

The Kids FW20 collection from Etnia Barcelona stands out for its ergonomic design, its comfort and its high quality. It adapts to the needs of any age.

KIDO, made up of six unisex eyeglass models made of metal and acetate, which adapt to the constant movements of the youngest ones in your home. Three models are made of Mazzucchelli natural acetate for kids ranging from six to nine years old, with three more in acetate and metal with adjustable nose pads, for pre-teens of 10 to 12 years old.

Y/A is made up of seven unisex eyeglass models made of Mazzuchelli natural acetate, which adapt to children’s development.

Click HERE for the full press release.