Walmart Reports Strong First Quarter Results, Reaffirms Commitment to Optical Business

By Staff
Friday, May 17, 2024 12:24 AM BENTONVILLE, Ark.—Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has announced first quarter financial results for the three months ending on April 30, 2024, showcasing strong growth in revenue and operating income. The results shared by the omnichannel, global retailer are for Q1 of its 2025 fiscal year, which runs for 12 months ending January 31, 2025. Specific highlights for the first quarter include consolidated revenue of $161.5 billion, up 6.0 percent, or 5.8 percent constant currency versus the same period last year; reported operating income up $0.6 billion (9.6 percent) and adjusted operating income up 13.7 percent, attributed to higher gross margins and growth in membership income; and growth in global e-commerce sales by 21 percent, led by store-fulfilled pickup/delivery and marketplace.

Zeiss Group Reports Double Digit Revenue Growth in First Half of Fiscal Year

By Staff
Friday, May 17, 2024 12:21 AM OBERKOCHEN, Germany—The Zeiss Group (CZMWY) has reported the results of the first half of fiscal year 2023/24. The group generated revenue totaling €5.304 million for the period ended March 31, 2024, which is an increase of 10 percent compared with the comparable period the previous year. All four Zeiss segments contributed to the company's growth, Zeiss noted. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) totaled €739 million, compared with €-178 million in the prior-year period. Expenditures on research and development remained at 15 percent of revenue, according to the company.

Proposed Bipartisan Legislation Would Create First Federally Funded Program to Address Children’s Vision and Eye Health

By Staff
Friday, May 17, 2024 12:18 AM CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness, a nonprofit eye health and safety organization, said it is strongly urging the House and Senate to quickly pass the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act to improve eyecare access, eye disease diagnosis and treatment for children aged 2-17 years. The legislation, which has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, seeks to establish grants for states and communities to improve children’s vision and eye health through coordinated systems of care, according to an announcement from Prevent Blindness.

Super Optical to Form National Network of Sales Reps

By Staff
Friday, May 17, 2024 12:15 AM CINCINNATI—Super Optical has announced that it is forming a national network of sales representatives to help increase awareness of its FastGrind Lens Surfacing System and other core products. The move is in response to a recent survey of existing FastGrind customers, which revealed that the leading reason FastGrind was not adopted by the practice sooner was because they were not aware of the technology benefits or savings potential, Super Optical said. “To date Super Optical has handled FastGrind sales completely internally, which has brought FastGrind to nearly 60 countries worldwide," CEO/owner Andy Hawes explained.

Eyeglass Lens Sales Help Drive Hoya's Growth for Q4 and Full-Year

By Staff
Thursday, May 16, 2024 12:24 AM TOKYO—Hoya Corporation (7741:Tokyo) has announced consolidated revenue of 196.8 million yen for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2024, up 6 percent from year-ago, and down 1 percent on a constant currency basis. Pretax profit rose to 72.1 million yen, a 34 percent increase versus year-ago, up 27 percent with the constant currency effect. Operating profit slipped 1 percent to 53 million yen compared to the prior-year period, a decrease of 5 percent in constant currency, according to Hoya.

Eyenovia Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Updates on Products and Its Myopia Program

By Staff
Thursday, May 16, 2024 12:21 AM NEW YORK—Eyenovia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYEN), a commercial-stage ophthalmic company with two FDA-approved products and a late-stage asset in pediatric progressive myopia, has announced its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

ClearVision Is Named One of the Best Companies to Work for in New York for Ninth Time

By Staff
Thursday, May 16, 2024 12:18 AM HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.—ClearVision Optical was recognized for the ninth time as one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York by the New York State Society for Human Resource Management (NYS-SHRM) and Best Companies Group.

Deadline Is Extended to May 22 for Jobson’s 2024 'Ultimate Partners' Program—Nominate a Supportive Business Partner Now

By Staff
Thursday, May 16, 2024 12:15 AM NEW YORK—The readers of Vision Monday and 20/20 Magazine are being asked once again to share nominations to tell their stories for the Ultimate Partners annual editorial initiative. The deadline for submissions has been extended to May 22. Now in its fourth year, Jobson’s 2024 Ultimate Partners program allows readers to highlight their great business support partners and showcase their support. Open to all eyecare professionals, the program is looking to spotlight your most successful collaborations and celebrate the crucial support shared during both challenges and opportunities.

Alcon Reports Robust Q1 Sales in Contact Lenses and Ocular Health Products

By Staff
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 12:24 AM GENEVA—Alcon (SIX/NYSE:ALC), a global leader in eyecare, reported its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Sales were $2.4 billion, for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 5 percent on a reported basis and 7 percent on a constant currency basis, compared with Q1 of 2023. "Our first-quarter results reflect the outstanding work done by our more than 25,000 associates across both our surgical and vision care franchises," said David J. Endicott, Alcon's chief executive officer.

Harrow Reports Growth in First Quarter of 2024, Restates Commitment to Building Its Dry Eye Disease Franchise

By Staff
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 12:21 AM NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Harrow, a U.S. eyecare pharmaceutical company, (Nasdaq: HROW) has announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. In the first quarter of 2024, Harrow recorded revenues of $34.6 million, a 33 percent increase over the $26.1 million realized in the prior-year quarter.

WestGroupe Partners With University of Waterloo School of Optometry & Vision Science to Fuel Innovation in Vision Care

By Staff
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 12:18 AM MONTREAL—WestGroupe, a family-operated optical company headquartered here, has announced a donation of $15,000 (CAD) and ongoing partnership to support the efforts of the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI).

Alimera Sciences Reports Financial Results for First Quarter of 2024

By Staff
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 12:15 AM ATLANTA—Alimera Sciences, Inc., a global pharmaceutical company specializing in retinal health, has announced financial results for the first quarter of 2024. The company reported net revenue of $23.0 million, up 70 percent compared with the prior-year quarter.

Accessories Council Celebrates 30th Anniversary and 2024 Honorees at Annual ACE Awards

By Staff
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 12:24 AM NEW YORK—The Accessories Council hosted its annual Accessories Council Excellence Awards (ACE) Awards on May 7, 2024, at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. The organization also celebrated its 30th anniversary at the sold-out gala, marking three decades of recognizing individuals and companies who have made great strides in raising awareness of the accessories industry. The 2024 event honored ACE Award recipients across 11 categories, spotlighting global brands and pioneers and positioning them at the forefront of the fashion industry. In the eyewear industry, Foster Grant was awarded the Legacy Award.

Lensar Reports First Quarter 2024 Results and Provides Business Update

By Staff
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 12:21 AM ORLANDO, Fla.—Lensar, Inc. (Nasdaq: LNSR), a medical technology company focused on femtosecond laser treatment of cataracts, has announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, and provided an update on key operational initiatives.

Vuzix Reports a Revenue Loss for First Quarter of 2024

By Staff
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 12:18 AM ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Vuzix Corporation, a supplier of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) technologies and products, has announced first-quarter results for 2024.