Upturn in French optics market

According to data announced by the research institute, Gfk, at end June 2003 French opticians' revenues were 3.2 billion euros, placing them in the top ten of the durables market.

Despite the unfavorable economic situation (growth for France is forecast at 0.2%), the optics market has increased by 3%. Some of the factors contributing to this figure is product enhancement and investments in advertising by opticians.

Corrective lenses represent 60% of total revenues and the upturn in sales volumes is 1.1% (around 22 million lenses a year) and 4.2% in value. Apart from the historical preference for organic lenses (9 in 10) and graduated lenses, which guarantee over 50% of revenues, market development is due to:
- extended offer and greater diffusion of high refractive index (over 1.639);
- the increase in colored and photochromic lenses and anti-reflection treatment (35% of the total in volume).

Sunglasses had a tough 2002, but the first six months of 2003 recorded growth levels of 15% thanks to the favorable weather conditions and to the power of 'fashion'. Sales of designer sunglasses at prices upward of 100 euros are in fact on the increase: for the first six months they represented 45% of the total (38% one year ago).

Contact lens sales are also going well: 230 million euros (+7%) through product innovation, and the relevant increase in the number of users, and through multi-equipping (glasses and lenses). Contributing to this are frequent-change, toric, graduated and colored lenses. Consumer preference for daily lenses (12% of the total) and the good performance of multifunction maintenance products (55% of the corresponding revenues) have been confirmed.