NEW YORK—According to the latest edition of Jobson Optical Research’s Optical Business Barometer (OBB), the overall outlook of independent ECPs toward business improved in June compared to the prior month. While the OBB index reflecting independents’ outlook peaked at 3.9 in March, the Barometer dipped in April to 3.6 and again in May to 3.4. The results for June 2011 are once again at 3.6.




The OBB is a monthly survey of a representative sample of independent optical retailers (single locations and groups of no more than three locations) designed to gauge the optical business trends of eyecare professionals at independent optical locations. Conducted online by Jobson Optical Research, the OBB is designed to measure attitudes of independent eyecare professionals about the current business climate and outlook. The OBB is based on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is “very negative”, 3 is “neutral” and 5 is “very positive.”



In addition, all four U.S. Census regions’ Index scores increased in June, compared to May 2011. 



Similarly, the OBB reported that, independents’ ratings for their eyeglass business outlook in particular increased in June compared to May – slightly more than did their outlook for contact lenses or exams.

The National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB), Index of Small Business Optimism for June 2011 decreased again to 90.8, down 0.1 points from May’s score of 90.9.



The findings of the OBB are also compared to those in the Consumer Confidence Index from Conference Board. For June, the index stands at 58.5, down 3.2 from a revised score of 61.7 for May.

For more information, or to learn more about the complete report, contact Jennifer Zupnick at (212) 274-7164.

Delia Paunescu, Assistant Editor