Vision Group acquires LMC/Sensee
Group Héron, the French retail group, is selling the entirety of LMC/Sensee to Vision Group, a Swiss specialist in contact lenses. The financial terms of the sale have not been disclosed. The executive staff at LMC/Sensee is “fully involved in the decision” and will be remaining in place to manage ...
Passion and clear positioning fuel Brett Eyewear
After two decades developing eyewear collections for third-party brands, first at LOGO and since 2013 at Special’Eyes, the private label eyewear company he founded, Jean-François Boiteux felt the itch: “I wanted to create an eyewear brand truly in line with my passion for vintage motor vehicles, particularly sports cars and ...
ZEISS cautious on outlook as strong 2025 revenue growth reveals “mixed picture”
Reporting a solid 9.2 percent year-over-year increase in total revenue to €11.9 billion for the 2024/25 fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2025, ZEISS Group, however, put much emphasis on the “challenging business environment” and the “mixed picture” across its different segments (see table).
Mentalities shift, inbound tourism drive Japanese sunglass market boom
“The moment when about 600 students aligned in the school hall put on their sunglasses was a touching scene that symbolized the future,” Japanese retail group Zoff wrote in a press release sent last month.
Seeing a “strategic opportunity,” Safilo builds up a 25 percent stake in Inspecs
On Dec. 15, 2025, Safilo officially announced that it did not intend to make a firm offer for the acquisition of Inspecs. The announcement followed Inspecs’ statement on Dec. 10, 2025, that the board had found an agreement with Bidco for an 84 pence (€0.96) per share deal that values ...
JEH jumps back to double-digit sales increase in Q3
Japan Eyewear Holdings (JEH) revenue bounced back sharply in the third quarter of the group’s 2025/26 fiscal year, increasing by 18.2 percent year over year to 4.5 billion Japanese yen (€25m). In the first half of the year, the Japanese-based retail group’s topline increased by 7.7 percent versus FY 2024/25.
Italian eyewear exports slip 3% in first eight months as US struggles, other markets improve
The value of Italian eyewear exports in the first eight months of 2025 fell by3.4 percent to €3,519 million as sales in the US continued to suffer in the wake of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump earlier this year but markets in Europe and elsewhere showed signs of ...
Inspecs board accepts £85m takeover by two British entrepreneurs
Inspecs Group’s board has agreed to an £85 million acquisition by two British entrepreneurs Luke Johnson and Ian Livingstone, formerly majority owner and chairman of Optika Clulow, after rejecting offers from Safilo Group.
Google announces first AI (audio) glasses for 2026
The first AI glasses developed by Google, in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm on the technology side and with Warby Parker on the frames side, will launch in 2026, the group said earlier this week during its Android Show/XR Edition event. This is the first time that a launch target ...
French optical market driven by health care needs rather than fashion or promotions, new research stresses
A comprehensive survey of 3,000 French glasses wearers by the country’s main opticians’ association shows that the vast majority prioritise medical necessity over fashion when purchasing new eyewear, with 92% citing visual needs as their primary motivation for renewal.
Carl Zeiss Meditec posts solid full-year results, terminates CEO mandate
Carl Zeiss Meditec has reported a 7.8 percent year-over-year increase in revenue to €2,228 million in the 2024/25 fiscal year ended Sept. 30. The company’s topline rose by 8.6 percent at constant currencies and by 3.3 percent on an organic basis.
VSP launches 3rd innovation challenge, scans the “patient of the future”
VSP Vision, in partnership with Topcon Healthcare and Silicon Foundry, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies, is launching its third Innovation Challenge, “a worldwide call for visionary solutions that elevate the eye care experience and empower optometrists.”
Cooper announces strategic review, 5% uptick in annual CVI sales
CooperVision reported Q4 sales of $709.6 million, up 4.6% year-on-year, with growth driven by the Americas region and strong performance from its MyDay contact lens portfolio. CooperCompanies stock price shot up after the group announced that it was conducting a strategic business review, seemingly in response to activist investor pressures.
EssilorLuxottica wearables chief steps down
Rocco Basilico, Chief Wearables Officer at EssilorLuxottica, will be leaving the group at the start of next year, Reuters revealed on Monday. The information was confirmed to the press agency by EssilorLuxottica: “After six years supporting our smart eyewear journey, Rocco Basilico has decided to pursue his personal interests outside ...
Fast-growing Lenskart sees huge whitespace in domestic market
The Indian eyewear retailer’s shares gained ground after reporting robust quarterly performance across key metrics, with revenue growth of 23.9% and improved profitability following its IPO debut last month.