ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council released a new research report that provides a detailed look at how eyecare providers source and select eyeglass frames for their practices. The report, titled Focused inSights 2024: Frame Buyers, investigates the motivations and choices of ECPs who are responsible for frame inventory purchases. Findings from the report detail who makes the frame purchases, how often purchases are made and where products are sourced. The report also sheds light on choices that providers make about the styles and materials of frames they purchase most often.

Alysse Henkel, vice president of research and inSights at The Vision Council, said, “The findings from this report, developed in collaboration with Eyecare Business magazine, reveal that eyecare providers are strategic in balancing patient preferences with inventory constraints in the curation of frames sold at their practices. Customer preferences and historic sales, such as the popularity of square and rectangular frames, influence frame buyers’ decisions, even if they would like to sell more unique styles from boutique brands. Overall, the report underscores the key trends shaping the eyewear market and offers a roadmap for suppliers to better align with provider and customer needs.”

Focused inSights 2024: Frame Buyers was conducted by The Vision Council in July and August 2024 among a sample of 282 eyecare providers who are responsible for frame inventory purchases. The interviews were conducted online through Qualtrics. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 5.8 percent.

Key findings from Focused inSights 2024: Frame Buyers include:

Inventory Updates and Frame Board Capacity:

  • 78 percent of providers display between 200 and 1,200 frames on their boards.

  • 70 percent of providers update their inventory quarterly.

  • 73 percent introduce new styles every three to six months.

  • Frame boards typically comprise 80 percent ophthalmic frames and 20 percent sunglasses.
Inventory Purchasing Channels:

  • Most frames are sourced through in-person sales representatives.

  • Providers prioritize cost-effective options across all price segments.
Preferred Frame Styles:

  • Square and rectangular frames dominate inventories, comprising an average of 53 percent of available styles.

  • Providers report these styles are the most popular among their patients.
Brand Preferences:

  • 40 percent of providers prefer boutique brands.

  • Despite this preference, large corporate and licensed designer brands make up over half of inventories.
The full report is available for download in The Vision Council’s Research Download Center. The report is complimentary for members of The Vision Council, with a paid option for non-members.