France: 3.5% growth forecast in 2006 for distribution in optics sector

According to an analysis carried out by the Xerfi Institute, in 2006 distribution in France's optics sector will grow by 3.5% (+1.5% in 2005). The increase will be supported by the growth in family purchasing power and consumption.

The expected acceleration will match that for investments in advertising. If the communication campaigns focused on price and, in particular, on the second pair of glasses, are still current, opticians will increasingly tend to emphasize their professionalism and the quality of the products and services offered.

It also appears that the sector is gradually preparing new marketing tools to overcome consumer reticence about buying glasses (in France, half the cost is met by the patient), including consumer credit systems.