Sales of eyewear in the UK have continued to grow steadily in 2025, albeit at a slower rate than in the previous year. Value growth is outpacing volume growth in spectacles and sunglasses, which is due to a variety of reasons including premiumisation, new product development, including enhanced technology and innovation, as well as price increases.
Some 30% of consumers in the UK expressed concerns about their current financial situation, according to Euromonitor’s Voice of the Consumer survey in 2025. As such, the preferences of British consumers are becoming increasing polarised when it comes to eyewear, with demand for both budget basics and high-end, durable and sustainable offerings performing well.
The competitive landscape within eyewear in the UK continued to be led by British retailer Specsavers Optical Group Ltd, followed by Luxottica Group UK Ltd and Essilor UK Ltd (with the latter two owned by GBO EssilorLuxottica SA). Specsavers also retained the leading position in spectacles in 2024, with the retailer increasing its value share.
Optical good stores continues to dominate sales of eyewear in value terms in 2025. It is no surprise that British consumers still value the professional advice of in-store experts and the personalised approach of an optician when purchasing spectacles and sunglasses in particular.
Eyewear in the UK is projected to see stable growth over the forecast period in value terms (at constant 2025 prices), with a stronger performance than was seen over the review period. On the one hand, there are several factors that are contributing to consumer uncertainty, including economic and political concerns arsing form global trade tariff wars, which are causing consumers to be more cautious with their discretionary spending.
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Eyewear
Eyewear is the aggregate of contact lenses, spectacles and sunglasses.
See all of our definitionsThis report originates from Passport, our Eyewear research and analysis database.
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