France: upturn in optics market

The market research institute, Gfk, has published data on billings in the French optics sector: the total for the year to end June 2004 was 3.46 billion euros before tax, in other words, a 4% increase in value.

Gfk said that 'this development is due not only to the trend in health expenditure, but to product improvement and significant investments in advertising.'

Corrective lenses, which represent 58% of the segment's billings, had a 3.5% increase in sales volumes (around 23 million lenses sold) and 3.9% in terms of value, with pre-tax billings of 2 billion euros. Nine out of ten lenses are organic and sales of progressive lenses account for 51% of billings. The French are increasingly attracted by high-index, slightly colored, photochromic lenses and by anti-reflection treatments.

A scorching 2003 heralded a favorable moment for sales of sunglasses and the market grew by 1% over 12 months. The contactology sector improved by 8% and stands at 286 million euros.

(Source: Acuité)