NOVATO, Calif.—Online eyewear retailer Zenni Optical has announced eyecare solution partnerships with three clients of the company's Zenni Business B2B platform. Meta, U.S. Vision and PPG are utilizing Zenni Business’s end-to-end suite of eyecare solutions for large enterprises, eyecare providers, insurance companies and corporate benefits. In September 2023, VMAIL reported the launch of the new platform, which the company noted is rooted in two decades of expertise within the online eyewear industry as well as its commitment to democratize consumer access.

According to the company, it intends to challenge an eyecare industry that it believes is plagued by high costs, stifled innovation and consumer access limitations. Further, it notes that its vertically integrated business model of optical laboratories, manufacturing and logistics, frame design, technology and customer service enables it to control costs and help its business partners benefit from existing infrastructure and marketplace knowledge.

“We are on a mission to elevate eye health awareness, revolutionize the prescription process, and optimize global operations and manufacturing," said David Ting, Zenni’s global chief technology officer and general manager. "Through Zenni Business, we empower our partners to achieve the same.”

Zenni Business partners are using its solution suite in the following ways:

  • Zenni partnered with Meta in early 2023 to provide VR prescription lens inserts for the Meta Quest 3 headset, catering to 66 percent of American adults needing corrective eyewear.

  • Zenni is fueling U.S. Vision's e-commerce strategy to enhance its omni-channel presence across 260 retail locations nationwide.

  • Zenni created a tailored shopping experience for PPG employees requiring ANSI Z87.1 Safety Eyewear, available at over 200 locations after a successful pilot program.
“Partnering with Zenni Business will help us to deliver on our long-held mission to provide broader access to premium eyewear for all of our customers, regardless of their proximity to our brick-and-mortar locations,” said Eric Bertrand, chairman of U.S. Vision. “Zenni’s top-tier e-commerce experience provides us with a digital infrastructure that can scale our offerings quickly and easily.”

"We identified a strategic opportunity to revolutionize this industry, and the response to Zenni Business has been extremely positive," added Brian Persons, head of business development at Zenni Optical. "We have found that a significant number of businesses have been seeking an innovative partner to challenge the prevailing norms. Traditional industry leaders have maintained dominance for far too long, often with a rigid mindset, and our market entry now presents a more progressive alternative.”

Zenni Business offers a suite of end-to-end products tailored to meet individual needs of businesses and insurance companies. Designed for eyecare professionals, Zenni Optical notes that its B2B platform can help grow practices by providing new revenue streams and creating customer loyalty. This can include a curated collection from cost-effective options to designer brands, managed by Zenni to minimize infrastructure investment, ensure seamless execution and hasten time to market.

In addition to broadening partnership with industry innovators, Zenni Optical is also working to support the next generation of eyecare providers. In January, VMAIL reported the announcement of the 2023 Eye Care Access Scholarship winners. The scholarship program advances Zenni's commitment to helping the world live better and see better by supporting the growth of the optometry profession in the U.S. The winners each receive a $2,500 scholarship with the opportunity to cultivate a network that plays a pivotal role in their professional development.