Eyeglasses & Contact Lens Stores in Canada - Industry Market Research Report

Out of sight: The industry will likely garner high sales as competing retailers struggle amid regulation

The Eyeglasses and Contact Lens Stores industry in Canada sells eyeglasses, contact lenses, sunglasses, safety eyewear and optical accessories. Over the five years to 2023, the industry has benefited from favourable population demographics. The burgeoning elderly population has boosted the number of optometrist visits to address age-related eyesight issues. Meanwhile, changing fashion trends have hastened many consumers' replacement cycles and have caused a shift toward high margin, designer eyewear. Further, the industry has been relatively insulated from external competitors, such as online retailers that lack brick-and-mortar establishments and deliver directly to the customers via mail. Dispensing prescription glasses is highly regulated, as prescription glasses and contact lenses are considered medical devices in all provinces except British Columbia. In many provinces and territories, only optometrists and opticians can dispense prescription eyewear to consumers. As a result, it has been arduous for online retailers to comply with Canadian regulations, which has enabled industry operators to satisfy most of demand for eyewear.

Operators in the Eyeglasses and Contact Lens Stores industry in Canada sell eyeglasses, contact lenses, sunglasses, safety eyewear and optical accessories. These retail stores may also provide fitting and lens processing services. This industry excludes the manufacture of lenses, online and mail-order retail of optical goods and sales at optometrists’ offices.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.