December doldrums

December is always a poor month in terms of revenue and dispensing compared to the rest of the year. This December was no exception, but thankfully showed growth in most areas compared to last December. On average, turnover was up 14 per cent from December 2002 results, although the number of sight tests were down, as were the number of new contact lens fits.
Eye examinations showed the lowest result since December 1998, down 24 per cent from November and down 7 per cent from December 2002. Growth was around 1 per cent on average over the past year.
The proportion of tests that were NHS was consistent at 63.4 per cent.
Average sales per eye examination were high this time at £131.83 compared to £119 the previous month, and £114 last year. Values of sales have been increasing, the trend line starting at £105 in December 2001, through to £121 at present.
Dispensing volume was up for all lens types compared to December 2002. Single-vision, bifocal and progressive lenses were up 3 per cent, 3 per cent and 28 per cent respectively. Single-vision lens share has been taken by progressive lenses, accounting for 17.1 per cent of all spectacles dispensed, compared to 15.7 per cent last year.
On average over the year, growth in dispensing remains consistent at 4 per cent. This was almost entirely due to progressive lenses, which increased on average over the year by 21 per cent. Single-vision lenses increased by just 0.5 per cent, and bifocals decreased by 7 per cent.
The dispensing rate in December was 68.7 per cent, almost identical to last year, and up 4 per cent from November.
The volume of spectacles dispensed with reflection-free coating was down 42 per cent from November, but up 11 per cent from December 2002. The average for the past 12 months shows growth of 21 per cent from the previous year. The proportion of spectacles dispensed with AR coating was down slightly to 47.4 per cent, but up from 46 per cent last year.
The number of new contact lens fits was down by 9 per cent from November and, unusually, down 6 per cent from last December. Growth over the year is still positive at 4.5 per cent.
Solution sales often improve in December and were up by 2 per cent from November. Results were down just 1 per cent from last December. Annual growth is 1.5 per cent.
Total practice turnover results for November were very high, so it was no surprise that they plummeted by 21 per cent in December. However, compared to the same time last year, turnover was up 14 per cent at 146. The highest result for December was recorded in 1999, after which figures slumped, only now reaching previous levels of performance.
Average indices for the year have been improving steadily since 2000. The average growth for the past 12-month period is 12 per cent.
When comparing your practice with the results it is important to note that all our figures are equated to a 25-day month, so year-on-year, month-on-month we can compare equal time periods. December had 25 working days (excluding Sundays and UK Bank Holidays).