To absolve us of our winter blues, KLiiK: denmark releases three new models, giving us a fresh new exciting look for 2016. K551 uses the finest of acetates creating both a wearable and adjustable frame in a wood inspired look. Mahogany, oak and ash appearing frames rich in colour, texture, and vibrancy with an added depth of a two layer effect creates this dynamic frame.
KLiiK: denmark is distributed by WestGroupe: www.westgroupe.com
Can new specialized lenses alone drive real market growth?
By Mark B. Mathews
A December survey of Canadian ECPs conducted by VuePoint indicates clearly that specialized ophthalmic lens functionality are the drivers of multiple pair sales. Lenses adapted to personal lifestyle and specific vision tasks including sun protection, digital device use and sports all ranked significantly higher than fashion accessorization as reasons for ECPs to put forward the second pair sales pitch.
In fact, fashion accessorization was dead last – less than 5% of respondents identified “fashion accessorization” as a top 3 reason to offer a second pair. Price objections, whether in the mind of the consumer or driven by dispensers’ preconceptions of consumer affordability, were overwhelmingly offered up as the challenge to a second pair sale.
Over the past few decades, the fashion frame industry, thankfully, has lifted the “glasses” market from staid functionality to phenomenal fashion accessory – but only for the primary pair of glasses and still, only for a segment of the market.
Now, advances in lens technology appear to be leading the way for multiple pair market expansion. Lens manufacturers, facilitated by free form technology have created an impressive array of specialized lens designs. New designs with innovative coatings, materials and various combinations thereof have put advanced personalized functionality at the forefront.
Can multiple pair selling lead by technological lens innovation really bring the “glasses” market to the next level? Significantly move the needle on either the number of pairs purchased per person or improve the purchase frequency? Or, will these innovations only serve to help keep prices attractive and eek out marginal market growth through higher prices to offset the commoditization at the mid and lower end of the market? Where is the real unit growth in the market going to come from?
What’s needed is a holistic approach to “glasses for the masses” that are fashionable, functional and affordable. Innovative retailers have shown the way, Warby – Parker the US click and brick upstart, comes to mind.
This approach is a real challenge for independent ECPs. The innovation required likely needs to be led by the frame and lens suppliers. The challenge is that frame suppliers and ophthalmic lens manufacturers and labs are not in the same league; they play different sports. While they are both great at what they do, they don’t play together – so far.
We look toward new developments and innovative technology, and unforeseen collaborative models and cross-over projects between frame suppliers and ophthalmic lens makers to lead in product and marketing innovation to catalyze the growth. We’ve seen glimpses of this in some developments, but only the tip of the iceberg. Exciting and challenging times are ahead.
Read the OPTIK February feature on the Challenge of Multiple Sales Selling.
For more information on VuePoint’s market study of Multi-pair selling, contact sales@vuepoint.ca
Following reports of plummeting sales from Alcon’s eye-care unit and news that Novartis will miss its Q4 earnings estimates, Alcon executive Jeff George will be replaced by Mike Ball beginning February 1st.
In addition, Novartis will restructure in order to address Alcon’s well-documented woes. Alcon’s ophthalmic medicines business will be combined into Novartis’ general pharmaceuticals unit, and some mature pharmaceutical products will be sold under Sandoz’ generics label.
Novartis reviewed whether to sell Alcon, but decided to keep Alcon’s contact lens care unit and invest a further $200 million into Alcon, believing the unit’s growth will revive. Novartis will try to trim $1 billion in annual costs by 2020 through centralizing manufacturing.
Novartis expects sales in 2016 to be largely unchanged from last year and forecasts low single-digit growth for Alcon.
Further information: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article56791253.html
Seraphin enriches its world-renowned collection of neoclassical eyewear with the Bailey Sun, a butterfly sunglass with a bounty of style points. Its curved feminine profile, diamond-shaped raised accents, and signature silver hinge accents showcase a first-rate sunglass suited for a superstar. Polarized lenses featuring an anti-reflective backside coating provide dawn-to-dusk fashion and reliable protection from the sun.
A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that individuals with a diet high in nitrates, which is found in leafy green vegetables such as kale or spinach, had a reduced risk of primary open-angle glaucoma by between 20 to 30%.
Previous research has shown that nitric oxide is a potent factor in lowering intraocular pressure, and leafy greens are an important source of the nitrates and nitrites that get converted into nitric oxide in the body.
The researchers from Harvard School of Public Health used data collected from 1984-2012 from the Nurses’ Health Study (64,000 women) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (41,000 men) which were all 40 years or older and free of POAG when the study began. 1,483 incidents of POAG developed over the course of the study. The researchers found that the group with the highest dietary nitrate intake (240 mg/day or 1.76 servings of leafy greens/day) had a 20 to 30% reduction in POAG and a 40 to 50% reduction in POAG with early paracentral VF loss compared to the group with the lowest dietary nitrate intake (80 mg/day or 0.31 servings/day).
The researchers caution that this study had limitations, such as relying on questionnaires to ascertain diet and having a 90% white population, however, “These results, if confirmed in observational and intervention studies, could have important public health implications,” the authors write.
Further Information: http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2480455
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
Learn More
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
Read more
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
Read more
The Contact Lens Institute has named its 2025 Culture Award honorees, recognizing U.S. and Canadian eye care professionals advancing contact lens culture.
Read more
ANFAO outlines its 2025–2026 strategy for the Italian eyewear industry, balancing identity, innovation and global market expansion.
Read more
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
Learn More EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
Read More CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
Read More The Contact Lens Institute has named its 2025 Culture Award honorees, recognizing U.S. and Canadian eye care professionals advancing contact lens culture.
Read More ANFAO outlines its 2025–2026 strategy for the Italian eyewear industry, balancing identity, innovation and global market expansion.
Read More
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
Learn More EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
Read more CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
Read more The Contact Lens Institute has named its 2025 Culture Award honorees, recognizing U.S. and Canadian eye care professionals advancing contact lens culture.
Read more ANFAO outlines its 2025–2026 strategy for the Italian eyewear industry, balancing identity, innovation and global market expansion.
Read more Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
Learn More EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
Read more CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
Read more The Contact Lens Institute has named its 2025 Culture Award honorees, recognizing U.S. and Canadian eye care professionals advancing contact lens culture.
Read more ANFAO outlines its 2025–2026 strategy for the Italian eyewear industry, balancing identity, innovation and global market expansion.
Read more
