READ ON
There is nothing wrong with
over-the-counter readers as
long as that counter is guided
by eyecare professionals.
From top: HAND-PAINTED
READER 301 from Hilco;
SUGAR’BABE from Seeqa
International; PLUS +
Influence from Rem Eyewear;
EYE CANDY Reader Polka
from Ron’s Optical;
GELS Aqua 70525 from Scojo
READ UP
- In the 12-month period ending
September 2006, 38.9 million pairs
of readers were sold. The number
of people wearing readers in that
same period was 31.7 million.
- The average retail price for a pair
of readers is $14.66.
- The majority of individuals wearing
readers, 15.3 million, are over 55
and a substantial 12.4 million are
between 45 and 54. Only 3.2
million are between 35 and 44.
- The vast majority of readers—84.7
percent—are sold by grocery/drug/
mass merchant and convenience
stores with only 7.4 percent sold
though optical channels.
The statistics cited here are from
VisionWatch, a large scale, continuous
consumer-based measurement of the
U.S. eyewear market, conducted by
Jobson/VCA over a 12-month period
ending September 2006.
Senior Features Editor GLORIA NICOLA • Photographed by Ned Matura
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