Optician Index December 2014: Year in review

The end of the calendar year presents an opportunity to review the key performance indicators over the last 12 months and how they compare with the previous year, along with our monthly analysis. This also completes our second year of the change in the Index sample to only include independent practices and regional chains. Based on the evidence of the year-on-year comparison it appears we have reached a state of equilibrium where the independent opticians have adapted their business models and maintain practically the same level of revenue, number of eye tests and volume of volume of spectacles dispensed. This is a little disappointing as broader market research suggests that 2014 will prove to be a year of growth for the UK retail optical market.