The same source says Romanians prefer to spend more money on frames than on lenses, and the percentage of those buying ready-made eyewear is the lowest. Sunglasses account for more than half of the market (50.2%), frames account for almost one quarter (23.4%) and the rest is divided between lenses (16.8%) and corrective eyeglasses (9.6%).
Unlike most retail markets, the spectacles market is dominated by international premium brands. Market leader is Ray-Ban, held by Italy’s Luxottica. Another premium brand, Christian Dior, made under license by the Safilo Group, is among the top five. The market is heavily fragmented, though, with customers divided among the high number of brands. That is why market leader Ray-Ban has a less than 5% market share. A pair of such eyeglasses usually costs more than EUR100.
The top brands are usually available in specialist eyewear stores and eye doctor practices. The largest specialist retailers include OPTIblu (operated by the Optical Network company), OptiPlaza and OptiCris chains.
On the other hand, fashion retailers like Zara and H&M, which also sell accessories like sunglasses or prescription glasses under their own brands, hypermarkets, supermarkets and online retailers compete over low income customers.
Whereas specialist stores account for more than 70% of the market, the rest compete over several percentage points each.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)