VM REPORTS: Top 50 Retailers VM’s 2023 Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers By Staff Sunday, June 18, 2023 1:00 AM RELATED CONTENT Key Optical Players Ranked by U.S. Sales in 2022 Taking a 10-Year Perspective on the VM Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Mass Merchants and Warehouse Clubs Reflect a Collective 6.6 Percent Sales Gain in 2022 Snapshots of Optical’s 10 Largest U.S. Retail Players View a PDF of this year's Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers 2023 View a PDF of last year's Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers 2022 Inflation, macroeconomic concerns, environment and weather challenges and an increasingly discriminating consumer were among the issues that complicated the competitive environment last year for all ECPs and optical retailers. When it comes to the new 2023 VM Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers report (which is based on calendar year 2022 locations and sales provided by companies along with VM’s estimates), it appears that consolidation is still reshaping the Top 50 while investments in operations and technology are helping several new retail leaders emerge. Following the “comeback” of sales for most businesses in 2021 after the shock of 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 was a year that started strong and by mid-point cooled a bit for many. The pace of PE-backed acquisitions chilled, due to higher borrowing costs and interest rates. Staffing challenges persisted for everyone including regional and national groups. Nevertheless, there was organic growth (new store and office openings) for many. And, this year, there are eight companies on the VM Top 50 for the first time. The collective sales of VM’s Top 50 U.S. Retailers rose 4.0 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, to reach an estimated $18.7 billion from 16,209 locations. Several retailers told VM about their continued investment in internal infrastructure, training for teams, executive and associate recruitment, and new digital technologies. Those included ways to improve efficiency, to create a better patient experience, showcase products and hone or start virtual try-on or online sales. Remote eyecare is gaining traction among national and regional groups. Editor’s Note: This year’s Vision Monday 2023 VM Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Report does not include references to Total U.S Market Sales. These estimates are currently being revised in The Vision Council’s new Market inSights reports and methodology, with revisions anticipated to be released by The Vision Council later this year.