NEW YORK—As daily records of new COVID-19 cases throughout the U.S. are reaching well above 100,000, optical sales were up in all service/product categories being tracked over the past week (Nov. 2-8). According to the latest Practice Performance Tracker from Jobson Research, sales increases ranged from a high of 3 index points for gross revenue and contact lenses to a low of 1 index point for exams/refractions. The other two categories (frame units, lens pairs) increased sales by 2 index points.

Regionally, the South and Midwest experienced the highest increases of 3 index points in three categories: frame units, lens pairs and contact lenses. Gross revenue also grew by 3 index points in the Midwest and 4 index points in the South. The Northeast and West remained primarily flat or had increases of 1 index point. The contact lens category increased by 2 index points in the West.

These optical sales increases occurred while COVID-19 cases continue rising in nearly every state except Connecticut and Rhode Island, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. A number of states are also reaching record highs for seven-day averages for hospitalizations, according to the COVID Tracking Project. 

The Jobson COVID-19 Practice Performance Tracker data is compiled by Jobson Research from GPN/EDGEPro and ABB Analyze data. Another element of the report illustrates Consumer Sentiments about the COVID-19 response and purchasing intentions, with data supplied by The Vision Council.

This index baseline was developed by Jobson Research from total sales from an average 7 days in the first quarter of 2019.

Click here to view the complete Jobson COVID-19 Performance Tracker