Mall-based opticians rise in number


August 20, 2017 | By RetailME Bureau

A recent census of optician stores in the UAE, conducted by global market research organisation GfK, has revealed a 22% rise in the number of shopping mall-based opticians since 2014. These locations now account for one-third of all optician business in the Emirates.

GfK also found that the demand for both prescription and beauty lenses has increased since 2016, growing 9% and 6%, respectively.

Findings from the UAE optician store census have been released ahead of the 18th edition of Vision-X, one of the largest exhibitions for eyecare and eyewear professionals in the region that will take place from October 17-19 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

“The results presented in the census directly correlate with the trends we’ve witnessed ahead of this year’s edition of Vision-X. There has been a significant boom in the number of contact lens manufacturers registering, as companies seek to carve out their share of the burgeoning optical industry in the Middle East, cited to be worth $2.82 billion,” says Asma Alsharif, Visions-X’s exhibition director

According to the census, growth slowed in the first part of 2017, especially in the technical consumer goods and eyewear sectors, while the contact lenses sector was more resilient. During this period, contact lenses demand grew 4% compared to the same period in 2016, pushed up by daily contact lenses (spherical and beauty).

“Contact lenses are an essential product and consumers are willing to invest in this market. GfK has audited contact lenses and eyewear since 2014 and we have noticed that demand is quite stable during the year with spikes during key sales seasons of July and December. Despite a slowdown in the overall eyewear market, we are seeing a demand increase for premium luxury models (those priced over $200), while new features, such as combination of metal – plastic and round lenses, are also gaining share month-on-month,” adds Ludovica Aletti, senior account manager, GfK.

Previous Article Next Article

SHARE

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE /


Sunil Kumar, CEO, Spinneys

Starting as a shelf packer in 1994, Sunil Kumar saw his way 

Continue Reading

October 29, 2024 | By RetailME Bureau
Sunil Kumar and Debashish Mukherjee at MRF 2024

What does it take to sustain profitable growth in the post-IPO phase? 

Continue Reading

October 23, 2024 | By Anurima Das

Mahalle began its operations in 2022 as an “Authentic Turkish Grocery in 

Continue Reading

October 7, 2024 | By Anurima Das
Naresh Kumar Bhawnani, Founder & Chairman, West Zone Group

“Retail is a people’s business. When building a retail brand or the 

Continue Reading

October 3, 2024 | By RetailME Bureau
Sunil Kumar, CEO, Spinneys

From being one of the first retailers in Dubai to ban single-use 

Continue Reading

October 1, 2024 | By RetailME Bureau
Walid Shabana, Co-founder & CTO, Rabbit

For starters, Rabbit is a growing e-commerce grocery platform in Egypt always 

Continue Reading

September 30, 2024 | By RetailME Bureau
Arunachalam Palaniappan, CTO, Choithrams

In 2024 grocery retail major Choithrams has achieved several milestones underscoring its 

Continue Reading

September 12, 2024 | By RetailME Bureau
#Topshelftalks session at Food Business Forum 2024

Industry pioneers are embracing a comprehensive strategy that integrates consumer insights, digital 

Continue Reading

July 3, 2024 | By Anurima Das
#EdgeOfTomorrow session at Food Business Forum 2024

The regional grocery retail market is evolving fast keeping pace with constantly 

Continue Reading

July 3, 2024 | By Rupkatha B
#CartToCouch session at Food Business Forum 2024

If anything, the Middle East market is excited about quick commerce – 

Continue Reading

July 2, 2024 | By Rupkatha B
#EcoEchoes session at Food Business Forum 2024

From ethical and local sourcing to adopting cutting-edge technologies to curb food 

Continue Reading

July 2, 2024 | By Rupkatha B
#ByteSizedBreakthroughs session at Food Business Forum 2024

The regional grocery retail market is becoming more and more diverse, offering 

Continue Reading

July 2, 2024 | By Rupkatha B




Download Images RetailME Magazine