Usa: Eyewear Purchase Index still weak

The lack of improvement in labour market conditions continued to threaten consumers' optimism, as shown in the latest reading of Vca's Eyewear Purchase Index.

The Prescription Eyewear 3-Month Purchase Index (P-3MPI), which measures consumers spending plans on prescription sunglasses and eyeglasses, remained weak in September as it fell 1.0 percent, to an index level of 100.6. The decline was mostly driven by contact lenses, recording an index of 102.5 from 143.4 in August.

For the third straight month, sunwear demand showed a double digit declining trend. The Sunwear 3-Month Purchase Index (S-3MPI) dropped 14.8 percent to an index of 89.5, the lowest index level since November of last year.

Instead, the demand on prescription eyeglasses bounced back in September, following an 18.0 percent drop in August. The current Prescription Eyeglass 3-Month Purchase Index (E-3MPI) increased 8.8 percent to a level of 98.5. This market behaviour is attributed to the stronger consumer spending as children head back to school.