NEW YORK— Independent ECPs’ attitudes about business improved in July, compared to June, according to the latest edition of Jobson Optical Research’s Optical Business Barometer (OBB) which is designed to gauge the optical business trends of eyecare professionals at independent optical locations.

The OBB is a monthly survey of a representative sample of independent optical retailers (single locations and groups of no more than three locations). Conducted online by Jobson Optical Research, the OBB is designed to measure attitudes of independent eyecare professionals about the current business climate and outlook. The OBB is based on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is “very negative”, 3 is “neutral” and 5 is “very positive.”

Compared to the previous two months, respondents’ attitudes toward business increased for July 2010 at an Index of 3.5 compared to the May and June 3.4 scores which had represented the lowest recorded rating of the year. The OBB started in January when the Index was at 3.6. February’s OBB Index score of 3.5 was slightly higher. March was the highest Index scoring month this year with 3.7 while April fell slightly to 3.6.

Independent optical retailers’ sentiments about how they anticipate business will fare for the next six months for the overall optical business grew to 3.6, per the Barometer, when compared to the previous OBB June report of 3.5 – the score for January through May remained highest at 3.7.

Independents' sentiments regarding eyeglasses, contact lenses and examinations also increased in July compared to May and June.

The findings of the OBB are similar to those in the Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board, Jobson Research points out. That report showed that while confidence in the economy had steadily increased for March, April and May, it declined sharply in both June and July to now stand at 50.4, down from 62.7 in May.

Comparably, the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) Index of Small Business Optimism saw results drop again for July, as was the case in June, this time by 0.9 points to reach 88.1 for the month.

Look for the latest OBB results from Jobson Optical Research to be posted in the middle of each month on VisionMonday.com.

Want to know more? The full Optical Business Barometer tracks the sentiment of eyeglass and contact lens sales as well as exam numbers and breaks out the numbers based on region, profession, age, location emphasis and more among independent eye care professionals. To learn more about the full report, contact Jennifer Zupnick at (212) 274-7164.