United Kingdom (UK) Eyewear Market Overview, 2028

Eyewear in the United Kingdom is a booming industry, with a diverse range of brands, styles, and technologies available to consumers. With the rise of digital devices and increasing screen time, people are becoming more aware of the importance of taking care of their eyes. As a result, many are investing in high-quality eyewear to protect their eyes and improve their vision. Furthermore, the rise of sustainable and eco-friendly eyewear is also a trend in the UK. With growing awareness of the environmental impact of fashion and consumer products, many eyewear brands are now offering eco-friendly materials, such as recycled plastic or biodegradable acetate, to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Moreover, the UK's strong fashion and design industries have also played a role in the growth of the eyewear market. Many British eyewear brands are known for their unique and innovative designs, which appeal to fashion-conscious consumers both in the UK and abroad. In addition, the UK government's National Health Service (NHS) provides free eye tests to eligible individuals, which has encouraged more people to get their eyes checked regularly. This has led to an increase in demand for prescription glasses and contact lenses, further driving growth in the eyewear market. According to the research report "United Kingdom Eyewear Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom eyewear market is expected to add USD 1.39 Billion by 2028. As people become more aware of the importance of eye health, there is an opportunity for eyewear brands to develop and market products that offer improved protection from blue light and other harmful rays emitted by digital devices. Furthermore, the United Kingdom is home to a diverse population, including a significant number of international students and immigrants. There is an opportunity for eyewear brands to cater to the needs of these diverse groups and expand their presence in emerging markets. Moreover, the UK has a thriving sports industry, which presents an opportunity for eyewear brands to develop products that cater to the needs of athletes and sports enthusiasts. This includes specialized products such as prescription sports glasses and goggles that offer enhanced protection and performance features. In addition, vintage and retro styles have become increasingly popular in recent years, with consumers seeking out classic designs from the past. This has led to resurgence in popularity for iconic styles such as aviators, wayfarers, and round frames. According to reports, optical stores have the highest market share in the distribution channel of the eyewear market in the United Kingdom. Optical stores offer personalized service, including eye exams, fittings, and advice on selecting the right eyewear products. This can help consumers make informed decisions and find the products that best meet their needs. For instance, some of the popular optical stores in the United Kingdom include Specsavers, Boots Opticians, Vision Express, Optical Express, Scrivens Opticians, Dollond & Aitchison, David Clulow, Eye Emporium, Optical World, Vision Direct, and more. However, the online channel is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Online eyewear retailers often offer a wider range of products than traditional optical stores, including a variety of brands, styles, and colours. This makes it easier for consumers to find exactly what they are looking for. For instance, there are several online platforms for eyewear in the United Kingdom, including Glasses Direct and Vision Direct, Specsavers, Ace & Tate, SmartBuyGlasses, EyeBuyDirect, Mister Spex, Opticians Direct, Glasses UK, and Perfect Glasses

Based on product type, this market can be segmented into spectacles, sunglasses, contact lenses, and others. The Spectacles segment was estimated to hold a major share of the overall market in 2022. The UK has the oldest populations in Europe, and as people age, the likelihood of developing vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia increases. This has created a large demand for prescription eyeglasses, with many UK consumers opting for high-quality, durable frames that can last for several years. In addition, the UK has a long tradition of producing high-quality spectacles that are both functional and stylish. Many UK eyewear brands are known for their precision engineering, innovative materials, and attention to detail, which has helped to build a strong reputation for quality and craftsmanship in the global market. Although contact lenses and sunglasses are also popular in the UK, they tend to have a smaller market share compared to spectacles. Contact lenses require more maintenance and can be more expensive than prescription eyeglasses, while sunglasses are often seen as a seasonal or occasional accessory rather than a daily necessity. Additionally, spectacles are often worn by people of all ages, including children, adults, and seniors, making them a versatile and widely accepted option for vision correction in United Kingdom. Based on price range, the market is divided into three segments: low, medium, and premium. The medium price range has the highest market share. This is due to several factors, including changing consumer preferences, increasing disposable income, and the availability of a wide range of medium-priced eyewear options. Moreover, as consumers become more conscious of the importance of eye health and the benefits of wearing eyewear, they are willing to invest in high-quality products that provide adequate protection for their eyes. However, the premium segment has the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to several factors, including increasing disposable income, a growing awareness of eye health, and a shift in consumer preferences towards high-quality and fashionable eyewear products. The emergence of social media influencers has also contributed to the popularity of eyewear as a fashion accessory. Influencers such as Chiara Ferragni and Aimee Song have millions of followers on Instagram and are known for their impeccable sense of style, which often includes stylish eyewear. Furthermore, these influencers often collaborate with eyewear brands to create their own collections or promote existing products, helping to drive consumer interest in the latest eyewear trends. For instance, fashion blogger and influencer Camille Charriere collaborated with eyewear brand Sunglass Hut to create her own line of sunglasses. In addition, another trend in the eyewear market is the development of frames that incorporate technology. For instance, some frames now include Bluetooth technology, allowing wearers to listen to music or take phone calls without the need for additional headphones or devices.

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Manmayi Raval

Research Consultant

There have been several recent product launches in the eyewear market in the UK, with brands introducing new designs, materials, and technologies to appeal to consumers. For instance, in September 2021, Ray-Ban launched Ray-Ban Stories, smart glasses that allow users to take photos and videos, listen to music, and make phone calls through the glasses. The glasses are compatible with both iOS and android and have built-in microphones and speakers. Furthermore, in 2021, Maui Jim launched the Dragonfly frame, which features a lightweight and flexible titanium frame and polarized lenses. The Dragonfly comes in a variety of colours and is designed to fit a wide range of face shapes. Moreover, Ace & Tate launched their Re-Made collection in 2021, which features frames made from recycled plastic and bio-acetate. The collection includes a range of classic and modern styles, and each frame comes with a sustainable case made from recycled leather. Considered in this report • Geography: United Kingdom • Historic year: 2017 • Base year: 2022 • Estimated year: 2023 • Forecast year: 2028 Aspects covered in this report • United Kingdom Eyewear market with its value and forecast along with its segments • On-going trends and developments • Top profiled companies • Strategic recommendation

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By Product Type: • Spectacles • Sunglasses • Contact Lenses • Other Product Type (Eye Care) By Distribution Channel: • Hypermarket and Supermarket • Speciality Stores ( Optical Stores ) • Franchises/ Company outlets • Online stores • Others (Hospitals & Clinics) By Gender: • Men • Women • Unisex • Kids By Price Range: • Premium • Medium • Low The approach of the report: This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources. Intended audience This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Eyewear industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.