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How Vision Monday’s Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers List Is Compiled

Vision Monday’s Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers report ranks the 50 leading companies in optical retailing, based on their revenues during calendar year 2014.

The VM Top 50 report is based on a survey of all major U.S. optical retailers, including information reported directly by chains and independent retailers and practitioners, interviews with company executives, published corporate documents and knowledgeable secondary sources. All leading U.S. optical retailers and eyecare practices were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire to obtain this information. In addition, when necessary, follow-up discussions were conducted with retailers and practices.

In cases where corporate policy prevented companies from reporting retail volume or other information, various methods were used to reach the most accurate estimates possible for them. This included using market sources, Jobson benchmarks, and other means.

U.S. sales figures for The VM Top 50 include revenues from both company-owned and franchised locations (if applicable), retailers’ product sales, professional services, managed vision benefit revenues, and shares of doctors’ fees and/or laser-surgery fees. In short, U.S. sales represent all money a company derives from optical products and services in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It is also important to keep in mind that sales volumes given on the VM Top 50 list reflect annual net sales, which may differ widely from retailers’ comparable-store sales for the same year. The VM Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers list also shows a different aggregate sales total for 2013 from that published in May 2014 because companies on the list change from year to year due to industry consolidation or other factors.

In cases where one retailer acquired another during 2014, the acquired company is listed separately if the acquisition took place during the fourth quarter, since sales earlier in the year are not attributable to the acquiring firm. When an acquisition took place before the fourth quarter, the acquired retailer’s sales are combined with those of the acquiring company.