Facts, Figures, and Publications
Here you will find relevant market data and an overview of our publications
The optical industry in Germany continued to prove itselfa relatively resilient and stable sector in 2024, even though the general economic situation was marked by challenges such as persistently high energy costs, rising interest rates, and low consumer spending.
While gross domestic product contracted again by 0.2 percent in 2024, the industry managed to achieverevenue growth of 3.1 percent in value terms.
Key Figures and Market Trends
In 2024, theGerman optical industrygeneratedtotal revenue of 4.97 billion euros, representing a slight increase of1.0 percent compared to 2023.
Total salesfor German opticians amounted to6.98 billion euros (including VAT) in 2024. This represents an increase of 3.1 percent compared to the previous year and 7.4 percent compared to 2019, the last "normal year."
Sales of eyeglasses(eyeglass sales) reached 5.67 billion euros —an increase of just under 3.5 percent from the previous year.
A totalof12 millionpairs of eyeglasseswere sold in 2024. However, sales volume declined by 1.5 percent compared to 2023.
Thecontact lens market, including care products, grew by 2.2 percent to 618 million euros. At 48 percent, the online share here is significantly higher than for eyeglasses, where the online share remains at just 0.5 percent.
Market Structure and Industry Trends
The number ofbrick-and-mortar optical storescontinued to decline, standing at 10,820 in 2024 (2023: 11,000).
Market consolidation continues: The ten largest optical chains now account for54 percent of the industry’s revenue. The number of their locations has risen to 2,687— that is just under 25 percent of all stores.
After all, about50.6 percent of businessesare still organized into purchasing and marketing groups, which ensures them better terms and support.
Significance and Outlook
Good vision remains timelessly important,regardless of consumer trends and economic fluctuations. About 90 percent of human sensory input is received through the eyes—which underscores the industry’s relevance. The demand for vision correction remains high: Two-thirds of Germans wear glasses, and there is still growth potential in the contact lens sector, as the proportion of contact lens wearers is relatively low.
Theoptical industrythus remains an indispensable sector that demonstratesstability and growtheven in times of social and economic change. In 2024, it once again held its own despite consumer caution and structural change—thereby reaffirming its importance to the population’s quality of life and healthcare.
An Overview of the German Optical Industry in 2024
A concise overview of all optical retail market data:
SPECTARIS Industry Report—Optical Industry: The Comprehensive Market Data Compendium for the German and International Optical Industry
What can help you with strategic market development? A compendium that clearly presents current and historical data on domestic and international markets and offers reliable guidance.
The SPECTARIS Industry Report on Optometry: Germany and the World—Markets, Consumers, and Trends 2024/25 presents all available data in clear charts and tables and supplements it with in-depth explanations. In addition to a comprehensive overview of the year 2024 and beyond, this market data compendium—compiled by SPECTARIS in collaboration with the Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA)—provides detailed insights into current developments for the year 2025. In addition, you’ll receive the key findings from the available data provided by Euronet Software AG (Frechen), GfK, and NielsenIQ (Nuremberg).
A special highlight this year: For the first time in five years, the report presents updated data from the Allensbach Eyewear Study on people with vision impairments in Germany. This consumer section provides valuable insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and needs. The comprehensive consumer data helps opticians and the industry better understand their target audiences and tailor both product development and marketing to meet customers’ actual needs.
Spanning over 80 pages and featuring more than 180 charts as well as numerous additional tables and analyses, the new Optometry Report provides a detailed overview of the optometry industry in Germany and abroad in 2024 and, in some cases, 2025. With its comprehensive industry data, this publication—which has been in print for over a decade—has become an indispensable handbook for the industry. The report is published by the German industry association SPECTARIS and the Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA).
The international section, which spans more than 25 pages, also provides detailed information on trends in the optical markets outside Germany. From Europe to India to China: For each international market covered, the report includes all import and export figures for the individual product groups. The report also compiles general key figures and macroeconomic data for selected countries.
This publication is based on the following data:
- of the SPECTARIS Industry Association
- of the Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA)
- GfK & NielsenIQ
- Euronet Market Research
- from the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research (IfD)
- the European associations ANFAO in Italy, GIFO in France, and AEO in Spain
- Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI)
- from the Federal Statistical Office
- the EUROSTAT and UN Comtrade databases
- and other renowned online databases
You can view the contents of the report as a PDF file here:
You can find market data for the optical industry here as a PDF file:
Prices:
- SPECTARIS members: 329 euros plus VAT for the digital version and one printed copy starting in January (please contact us for additional printed copies)
- Non-members: 750 euros plus VAT (digital version; one printed copy included in the price upon request)
- Special rates for optical stores: Please feel free to contact us by email.
Digital Accessibility – For a Sustainable Future:
The 2024/25 Industry Report will be made available primarily in digital format. To conserve resources and do our part to protect the environment, printed copies will be available only in limited quantities and not until January 2025.
Printed copies:
- SPECTARIS members will automatically receive a printed copy as soon as it becomes available, unless a different quantity was specified when placing the order.
- Non-members can receive a printed copy upon request (please check the appropriate box when ordering)
How to Order:
To order the latest issue of the Optometry Industry Report, simply send us a short email.
Please be sure to include the following information:
- Your shipping and billing address
- Whether you would like one or more printed copies (we will be able to check availability starting in January 2025)
- If your company is based in another European country: Your tax ID / VAT number
Your contact person:
Aziza Arbabzadah
arbabzadah@spectaris.de
Order the latest 2024/25 Industry Report:
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OBE relies on high-quality products “Made in Germany.”
OBE relies on high-quality products “Made in Germany.” Thanks to innovation and automation, spring hinges and security screws can be manufactured in large quantities at the Ispringen facility. This goes hand in hand with increased productivity and a division of labor for simple products at our facility in China. In this way, we secure jobs in Germany.
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