The optics sector continued to grow strongly in the first quarter of 2025: retail turnover rose to EUR 107 million (+11.7%) and wholesale trade to almost EUR 24 million (+0.8%). The growth is being driven by an ageing population and the opening of new optics stores across the country. On the other hand, the sector is also suffering from a worsening shortage of professionals. Anticipatory work in the sector highlights key future trends, such as preventive eye care, technological innovations, and the effects of society’s increasing “screenization” on eye health.
The optics sector continued to grow strongly in the first quarter of 2025. Retail turnover increased by 11.7 percent and totalled 107,115,880 euros. The number of personnel increased by 5.6 percent and the payroll increased by 7.5 percent.
“The optics sector clearly gained momentum from the positive development of other speciality stores. The most significant change is still the increase in the number of employees and, consequently, the salary amounts. It demonstrates how confident optics companies are that the good development of the sector is continuing,” says Panu Tast, CEO of the Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare Näe ry.
Steady development in wholesale trade
Positive developments were also seen in optics wholesale trade, although the growth was more moderate.
Wholesale turnover increased by 0.8 percent and was EUR 23,817,889. The growth in the salary amount in wholesale trade was 5.5 percent, although the number of personnel remained almost unchanged (-0.1 percent).
“The division between wholesale and retail companies is fading in this sector. More and more operators are now involved in both. That is why the development figures for the retail and wholesale trades in the optics sector may differ increasingly from each other in the future,” explains Tast.
Growth is driven by structural changes and the expansion of the service network
The growth of the optics sector is influenced by several structural factors. The ageing population is increasing the demand for vision care and eye health services. In addition, new optic stores are constantly opening across the country, which increases the service network and accessibility. At the same time, it also creates a shortage of professionals in the sector, which is reflected in companies’ recruitment difficulties and additional investments in personnel.
“The shortage of professionals, on the one hand, challenges the sector to develop attractive career paths and training solutions, and, on the other hand, leads the sector to fully utilise the opportunities brought by evolving eye health technology,” says Tast.
“The removal of Section 16 of the Decree of Health Care Professionals and the non-medical restrictions on optometrist activities from 1 August, 2025, onwards, will begin a completely new era in the sector. In the future, eyeglass customers will be able to start their service journey by visiting an optometrist, regardless of their age, eye surgeries, or eye health status.”
Anticipatory work provides a view of the future – preventive eye care on display
The trend map of the optics sector tracks five key themes: product technology development, customer experience, sustainability and responsibility, preventive eye care, and the diagnostics and treatment of eye diseases. This time, the sector takes a closer look at preventive eye care.
“Trends in preventive eye care strongly reflect the ageing of the population and the new technology and service innovations required by the upcoming challenge. At the same time, the ‘screenization’ of society brings with it new types of vision challenges for different age groups, such as the increasing prevalence of myopia in children, increased eye strains and the need to develop eyeglass lens solutions that are suitable for use with digital devices,” says Rainer Nyman, CEO at Fenno Optical Oy, from the board of Näe ry.
“Anticipatory work is a key tool for us, allowing us to identify signals of change in the sector in a timely manner and ensure that the sector remains at the forefront of developments,” concludes Tast.
Additional information:
Panu Tast, CEO, Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare Näe ry, tel. +358 (0) 40 5422 227, panu.tast@naery.fi
Rainer Nyman, CEO, Fenno Optical Oy, tel. +358 (0) 400 935 936, rainer.nyman@fennooptiikka.fi
