By Marge Axelrad
Monday, March 11, 2024 1:08 AM
Despite some perceptions to the contrary, overall, the global luxury sector had experienced some challenges in the past year or two, where growth was hard-fought. Some of the world’s leading luxury firms reported slight ups and downs, as customers around the world coped with inflationary pressures and higher interest rates, creating some headwinds around the category from high-end home purchases, to travel and tourism, to auto purchases and the fashion retail sectors.
By Daniel Breeman
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 1:00 AM
From the Silent Generation to Generation Alpha, consumer attitudes and priorities are consistently shifting as retailers attempt to gain a handle on what makes each group tick and what is important to them when searching for new products. Consumers as young as 10 years and under (Gen Alpha) have their own set of purchasing criteria, such as influencers on social media, while Millennials may presently represent the most powerful and influential consumer group overall.
By Marge Axelrad
Sunday, November 26, 2023 1:00 AM
NEW YORK—The embrace of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) this year has continued to expand among many businesses, large and small, public and private. In healthcare, too, and vision care in particular, DE&I has continued its evolution.
By Staff
Monday, October 30, 2023 1:00 AM
NEW YORK—Optometry has seen significant gains in the widening of its practice scope across most states in the U.S. and primary eyecare remains the focus of many practitioners. However, specialization, or the adoption of ‘subspecialties’, driven by new clinical and treatment options, the advent of innovative technologies and, importantly, changing priorities among new generations of ODs for how they want to build their experience and service as optometrists, have been driving a growing interest in specialties.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Sunday, September 3, 2023 1:00 AM
NEW YORK—If there’s one constant in a post-2020 world, it’s change. The economy, labor market, retail landscape and overall world we live in has been in constant flux since March 2020, teaching us all how to be adaptive and inventive in everything we do. For many consumers, products labeled as “Made in the USA” have long been preferable—from giving back to the local economy to lowering your carbon footprint, there are plenty of reasons that Americans want to buy homegrown products. That has not changed—though inflation has put a slight damper on what Americans are willing to spend.
By Staff
Sunday, July 23, 2023 1:00 AM
Collaborative. Confident. Accomplished. Supportive. These are the characteristics that describe this year’s “class” of Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women. Having finally emerged from the shadows of the pandemic, this 2023 group of honorees are at long last looking forward to a brighter and more promising future. Their positivity and can-do attitudes are apparent as they tell us their stories of success in an ever-changing optical industry.
By Staff
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 1:00 AM
NEW YORK—Sustainability is definitely progressing in the optical business world, from all directions. New conversations with optical retailers large, mid-sized and smaller independents reaffirm that the eyecare and eyewear space is supporting new involvement and the commitment to evaluate and implement sustainable practices. This means operationally within companies, within the supply chain and to the consumer, as more sustainably made optical products are being brought to patients and customers.
By Marge Axelrad and Daniel Breeman
Thursday, April 27, 2023 1:00 AM
NEW YORK—2023’s vision care space will see a more measured pace of new deals and practice acquisitions. At the same time, in many cases, internal investments in infrastructure, systems and support will accelerate for both private equity-based groups and practice transition facilitators in the U.S. optical market this year.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, February 26, 2023 1:00 AM
From continuing supply chain issues to private equity acquisitions and consolidation, to staffing issues and finally to an uncertain economy with the looming possibility of recession in the coming months, independent eyecare professionals are carefully navigating their next moves as they look to remain profitable and expand their practices in 2023. To help alleviate some of these pressures and stresses, ECP alliances and buying groups are clearly stepping up their game with new and enhanced programs and services with the goal of helping ECPs navigate their way through a challenging business environment that presents both observed obstacles and unforeseen challenges on the horizon.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, February 9, 2023 1:00 AM
NEW YORK—The past few years have seen massive, sometimes unpredictable, change in consumer behavior. From a pandemic none of us expected to social media-driven shopping trends that change at the drop of a hat, it can feel almost impossible to predict what consumers will want, or need, next.
By Staff
Monday, December 5, 2022 1:00 AM
NEW YORK—The crescendo of a global pandemic’s impact on health care, geopolitical upheaval, rising racial, diversity and inclusion awareness, climate change and fundamental economic challenges have escalated many things, one of which is a mindset among many that a company, large and global or small and independent, can and needs to more clearly spell out its values, priorities and support on a range of issues and worthy causes.
By Gwendolyn Plummer and Marge Axelrad
Monday, October 17, 2022 1:00 AM
NEW YORK—Long term societal issues, like those of diversity, equity & inclusion, have been fighting the hard fight for many years. With the escalation of the disruption unleashed by the global pandemic, the brighter spotlight on the topic from media, and a groundswell among individuals and organizations that more vocal and active commitment was needed, DE&I initiatives continue to expand. Voices from within health care, business, family, politics and culture are starting to join with those in structured organizations along with more assertive storytelling from groups victimized or impacted by the lack of inclusion in hiring, in receiving or accessing fair and equitable business or health care services and more.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Tuesday, September 6, 2022 1:00 AM
NEW YORK—What it means to be American-made can be different for everyone. In July of 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced a new rule that both clarified and narrowed what it means to be a product “Made in the USA.” Under this new rule, the FTC prohibits companies from labeling their products as “Made in the USA” unless “virtually all”
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2022/04/ftc-charges-battery-maker-first-case-under-made-usa-labeling-rule pieces or ingredients are made and sourced in the U.S. In addition, the final assembly or processing and “substantial transformation” of the item must occur within the U.S. as well.