The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Decreased for the Week of April 22–28, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

By Staff
Friday, May 3, 2024 8:05 AM ECPs’ gross revenue decreased, Jobson Tracker says; Safilo North America names Gabriele Cusani Sodano president and chief commercial officer; EssilorLuxottica holds annual shareholders meeting; CLI issues report on new and returning contact lens wearers; and Bausch + Lomb receives FDA approval of Lumify Preservative Free all topped this week’s VMAIL news feed. Click on the headlines below to catch up on anything you might have missed.

Safilo North America Names Gabriele Cusani Sodano President and Chief Commercial Officer

By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 12:30 AM SECAUCUS, N.J.—Safilo North America has announced the appointment of Gabriele Cusani Sodano as president and chief commercial officer, effective April 2024. Cusani brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to succeed in this new role, which will focus on accelerating the implementation of the Group’s strategic plan in the North American market, the company stated. He joined Safilo in 2015 and has held various roles of increasing responsibility throughout his tenure, with experience that spans commercial strategy and planning, brand management, business development, sales operations and direct to consumer.

EssilorLuxottica’s Annual Shareholders Meeting Approves All Resolutions, Reappoints Board

By Staff
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 12:30 AM CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—EssilorLuxottica held its annual shareholders meeting yesterday in Paris, the company announced, where shareholders approved all 34 resolutions submitted by the board of directors to the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting. These included the distribution of a €3.95 dividend per share for the financial year 2023, the compensation policy applicable to the company’s executive corporate officers and the reappointment of all previous directors to the new board of directors. “On behalf of the board of directors, we would like to extend warm thanks to our shareholders for their continued support and trust," said Francesco Milleri, chairman and CEO, and Paul du Saillant, deputy CEO at EssilorLuxottica.

Contact Lens Institute Issues Report on New and Returning Contact Lens Wearers

By Staff
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 12:27 AM WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) has published an in-depth report on everyday actions that the eyecare community can take to draw interest from potential and former contact lens wearers. Based on research with more than 1,000 vision-corrected adults segmented by glasses-only wearers, new contact lens wearers, and former contact lens wearers, “Beyond Vision: Behaviors to Attract New & Returning Contact Lens Wearers" is the latest offering from CLI’s See Tomorrow initiative. The 26-page document includes multiple infographics depicting high-value takeaways that can be used for staff training.

Bausch + Lomb Receives FDA Approval of Lumify Preservative Free Redness Reliever Eye Drops

By Staff
Monday, April 29, 2024 12:27 AM VAUGHAN, Ontario—Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE/TSX: BLCO), a leading global eye health company, has announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lumify Preservative Free redness reliever eye drops, an over-the-counter preservative-free eye drop with low-dose OTC brimonidine tartrate for the treatment of ocular redness due to minor eye irritations. “Lumify Preservative Free significantly reduces redness within one minute and lasts up to eight hours," said John Ferris, executive vice president, consumer, Bausch + Lomb.

World Council of Optometry and CooperVision Partner on Myopia Management Navigator Educational Resource

By Staff
Friday, April 26, 2024 8:05 AM WCO and CooperVision partner on Myopia Management Navigator; Safilo shareholders approve 2023 financial statements; Kering Eyewear sales grow in Q1; eyewear industry mourns passing of Sergio Luigi Cereda; and registration opens for THE Myopia Meeting Vancouver all topped this week’s VMAIL news feed. Click on the headlines below to catch up on anything you might have missed.

Safilo Shareholders Approve 2023 Financial Statements; Angelo Trocchia Continues as CEO

By Staff
Thursday, April 25, 2024 12:27 AM PADUA, Italy—Safilo Group S.p.A. (SFLG.MI) has announced that shareholders have approved the company's 2023 financial statements and the board of directors’ report during their annual meeting yesterday, and viewed consolidated financial statements. In addition, a new board of directors was appointed, and as its first action confirmed that Angelo Trocchia, who has served as chief executive officer since April 2018, would continue in this role. Eugenio Razelli has been named chairman of the board of directors, according to the announcement, and director Jeffrey A. Cole is no longer serving on the board.

Kering Eyewear Sales Grow in First Quarter, Group’s Revenue Declines Sharply

By Staff
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 12:30 AM PARIS—Kering Eyewear, part of the global luxury group Kering, has reported revenue of €463 million in the first quarter of 2024, up 8 percent on a comparable basis. Overall, revenue from the Kering Eyewear and Corporate segment amounted to €536 million, up 24 percent as reported and up 9 percent on a comparable basis, the company announced. However, Kering Group’s revenue for the first quarter of 2024 was down 11 percent as reported and down 10 percent on a comparable basis to €4.5 billion, the company reported. The revenue drop includes a negative currency effect of 3 percent and a positive scope effect of 2 percent, resulting from the consolidation of Creed.

Eyewear Industry Mourns Passing of Sergio Luigi Cereda

By Staff
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 12:25 AM LOMBARDY, Italy—Sergio Luigi Cereda, influential eyewear designer and industry visionary, passed away on April 18, 2024, following a long illness, his family announced yesterday. Cereda was 88 years old and surrounded by family at his home in Castiglione Olona, Lombardy, Italy, when he passed. He is survived by his wife Ivana, daughters Caterina and Stefania and grandchildren Edoardo, Jordan Nicolo’ and Giada Grazia.

EssilorLuxottica Reports Solid Revenue Growth for Q1 2024

By Staff
Friday, April 19, 2024 8:05 AM EssilorLuxottica reports revenue growth for Q1 2024; ECPs’ gross revenue decreased, Jobson Tracker says; Johnson & Johnson reports Q1 2024 financial results; The Vision Council releases Focused inSights Eyewear Accessories report; and The Vision Council hosts Lab Leadership Forum all topped this week’s VMAIL news feed. Click on the headlines below to catch up on anything you might have missed.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Decreased for the Week of April 8–14, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

By Staff
Thursday, April 18, 2024 12:27 AM NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations decreased last week, April 8–14, when compared with the previous week at a rate of -4 index points. That places gross revenue at a level 2 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 15) when compared with last year (2023), 1 point above the same period in 2022, 6 points above 2021, 101 points above 2020 and 15 points above 2019, according to Jobson’s most recent Practice Performance Tracker.

Johnson & Johnson Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

By Staff
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 12:27 AM NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.—Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has announced financial results for the first quarter of 2024, with reported sales growth of 2.3 percent to $21.4 billion, operational growth of 3.9 percent, and adjusted operational growth of 4.0 percent. Sales in the U.S. increased 7.8 percent for the first quarter. “Johnson & Johnson’s solid first quarter performance reflects our sharpened focus and the progress in our portfolio and pipeline,” said Joaquin Duato, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our impact across the full spectrum of health care is unique in our industry, and the milestones achieved this quarter reinforce our position as an innovation powerhouse.”

New inSights Research From The Vision Council Reveals More Than One-Third of Eyewear Users Neglect Proper Care

By Staff
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 12:27 AM ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council released its latest research report, Focused inSights Eyewear Accessories, providing comprehensive data into American adults' behaviors, preferences and purchasing patterns related to eyewear accessories. The report sheds light on the usage and maintenance habits surrounding various eyewear accessories and underscores the importance of proper care and storage of eyewear products to ensure optimal vision, according to the announcement from The Vision Council. The survey highlights a variety of eyewear accessories, including eyeglasses cases, eyeglass chains/lanyards, microfiber cloths, eyeglasses replacement/sizing nose pads, lens cleaning wipes, lens cleaning solution, contact lens cases, contact lens solution and lubricant eye drops.

The Vision Council Hosts Nearly 100 Industry Executives for Lab Leadership Forum

By Staff
Monday, April 15, 2024 12:27 AM ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council hosted the 2024 Lab Leadership Forum on Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Temecula Creek Inn in Temecula, California. Nearly 100 optical industry executives gathered for the event, providing a platform for education, networking and recognition among optical laboratory professionals. The Lab Leadership Forum, tailored specifically for The Vision Council’s optical laboratory members, offered a comprehensive agenda aimed at fostering professional growth and collaboration among industry peers, according to an announcement from The Vision Council.

Are You a Top U.S. Optical Retailer? Take VM's Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Survey Now

By Staff
Monday, April 15, 2024 12:15 AM NEW YORK—Vision Monday will be publishing its signature Annual Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Report in its upcoming June print/digital edition this year. VM's annual survey will include regional and national retailers for the exclusive report.