Recession dents steady growth in optical sector

Consumer spending on optical goods was £2.65bn in 2009, 17 per cent higher than 2004 at current prices, according to the just-released Mintel report Optical Goods and Eyecare - UK - February 2010.

Mintel pointed out that the optical market has grown steadily, with an interruption during the severe economic downturn that began in autumn 2008.

'Optical goods, especially spectacles, are a discretionary purchase and the recession has dented demand,' the report stated. 'The year 2009 saw a fall in spending of 2.2 per cent compared with the previous year. However, 2010 will see a return to modest growth as consumer confidence increases.'