Exhibitors at the Vision Expo East (VEE) trade show, held in New York last weekend, reported an upturn in the US optical market.
'The optical market in the US is really flying now,' commented Richard Mewha, owner of Bevel Eyewear. 'In my opinion it has recovered faster than in Europe.'
The positive outlook was echoed by others. 'We feel the market this year will be good we are definitely expecting growth,' said Doug Fryer, product manager at Charmant. 'It has been tough for a long time and I think good products will help refresh things.'
The trade show served as a showcase for hundreds of optical companies. A new floorplan saw the exclusive Underground and Galleria frame areas move to a new location in the north hall of the Jacob Javits Center.
'I like the new position of the Underground area,' commented Brent Zerger, director of communications at LA Eyeworks. 'The natural light really helps to display frames in the best possible way.'
Some of the frame companies exhibiting for the first time said they had elected to launch their brands now because of favourable market conditions. 'I don't think there has ever been a better time to get into the business with a new brand,' said Chris Mantz, founder and designer of Drift Eyewear. 'I think people are ready to spend again but it is going to still be different to the boom years you have to offer people something they can identify with in a more meaningful way.'
Activist Eyewear had waited for the upturn before launching, according to founder and creative director Mark Craig. 'Having come up with the concept for our brand, we used the recession as an incubation period to hone the design and marketing elements,' he said. 'I think new and innovative eyewear can drive profits for optical practices here and elsewhere too.'
