Sunwear should be an integral part of the independent retailer’s product arsenal; however sunwear products only made up about 9 percent of gross retail dollar sales for independents in 2014. Regardless of the time of year, sun protection is essential for healthy eyes. If the sun is out, sunwear should be ON. Check out these interesting and important sunwear stats from Jobson Research’s recent survey of 197 eyecare professionals at independent locations, conducted specifically for 20/20.

 —Jennifer Waller, 20/20 Senior Research Analyst


play next
1/7
previous

Source: 20/20’s Sunwear Survey of Independents

Source: 20/20’s Sunwear Survey of Independents

Source: 20/20’s Sunwear Survey of Independents

Source: 20/20’s Sunwear Survey of Independents

Source: 20/20’s Sunwear Survey of Independents

Source: 20/20’s Sunwear Survey of Independents

Source: 20/20’s Sunwear Survey of Independents




  • Seventy percent of respondents said that Rx sunwear is growing for their practice. Adults (ages 35 to 44) accounted for the largest percent of Rx sunwear sales (an average of 30 percent) according to those independents surveyed. Close to half (44 percent) of respondents said that females are buying more Rx sunwear than males. Eighteen percent said males more than females, and 39 percent said same for both genders.
  • Of the independents surveyed, 60 percent said consumers are more knowledgeable about sunwear than they were five years ago.
  • A small percentage more respondents agreed with the statement that they feel the lines between fashion-oriented sunwear and sports-oriented sunwear are blurring as the number that disagreed. Forty-six percent agreed and 44 percent disagreed. Of the 46 percent that agreed that the lines were blurring, 56 percent think this is helping the sales of both Rx and plano sunglasses. Only 8 percent claim the merging is hurting their sunwear sales.
  • When asked what the greatest differentiating quality independents have over other channels was, frames/lens knowledge, superior service and product customization all tied for the top spot at 29 percent.
  • More than half (57 percent) of independents surveyed said they always recommend that their contact lens patients buy sunglasses. However, respondents said only 16 percent of their patients on average actually make a sunwear purchase at the time they are fitted for new contacts.
  • On average, respondents said 62 percent of total retail sunwear comes from Rx complete, 28 percent from plano complete, 6 percent from clip-ons and 4 percent from fit-overs.
  • On average, independents said polycarbonate lenses made up 47 percent of their total prescription sun lens sales and 49 percent of plano sunwear lens sales. Plastic/high-index plastic lenses made up 50 percent of total prescription sun lens sales and 42 percent of plano sunwear lens sales.
  • Not surprisingly, July/August was rated the highest sunglass sales period for 71 percent of independents. May/June followed with 60 percent rating it as a “high” period for sunglass sales. January/February came in only at 7 percent rating it “high.”
  • Equal numbers of independents say they do and don’t participate in Rx programs offered by sunwear companies (both 44 percent). Twelve percent were unsure.
METHODOLOGY

This study was conducted in December 2014 and January 2015 by Jobson Optical Research. All participants were contacted via e-mail invitation and offered an incentive of a chance to win a $200 Amazon.com gift card. Only independent optical retailers were qualified to take the survey. 197 qualified respondents completed the study. Similar studies were conducted in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. For more information, contact [email protected] or 212-274-7164.