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Czech Businessman Michal Strnad Offers €30 Billion for Delfin, Parent of EssilorLuxottica Stakeholder Del Vecchio Family

Czech businessman Michal Strnad has offered €30 billion to acquire Delfin, the holding company controlled by the Del Vecchio family. Delfin holds a 32.4 percent stake in EssilorLuxottica, along with minority interests in Italian insurance and banking groups Generali, UniCredit, and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. The report, published on October 30, 2026, describes an offer rather than a completed transaction or confirmed acceptance.

EssilorLuxottica Reports €7.49 Billion Q3 Revenue Driven by DTC and Wearables Growth

EssilorLuxottica announced consolidated revenue of €7.49 billion for the third quarter of 2026, representing a 7.2 percent year-over-year increase at constant exchange rates. The Direct-to-Consumer division led expansion with €4.09 billion in revenue, growing 10.6 percent at constant exchange rates, while e-commerce contributed slightly positive results, accounting for 7 percent of total company revenue. Asia-Pacific recorded the strongest regional growth at 15.7 percent, reaching €979 million. Product categories showed momentum in wearables, which generated €486 million (up 20 percent), and myopia management solutions, which expanded 24 percent. North America and EMEA also reported growth, supported by high-single-digit gains in banners like LensCrafters and Sunglass Hut.

Hans Anders Suspends Sales of Meta Smart Glasses in Netherlands and Belgium Amid Privacy Backlash

Hans Anders, one of the Netherlands' largest optical chains, has immediately halted sales of Meta's AI-enabled smart glasses across all Dutch and Belgian stores and its online shop. The decision follows reports of unlawful covert filming and mounting political pressure, including a passed motion in the Dutch lower house calling for a ban. While Pearle Opticiens did not comment, other sectors like hospitals and the defence force are restricting device usage. Hans Anders stated the product might return later but cited serious societal concerns. This move underscores the regulatory and reputational challenges facing optical retailers stocking smart eyewear that blends vision correction with consumer electronics.

National Vision Reports Fiscal 2025 Financial Results with Revenue Growth and Improved Margins

National Vision Holdings, Inc. reported its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025 financial results ended January 3, 2026. Net revenue from continuing operations for fiscal 2025 increased 9.0% to $1,987.5 million, driven by comparable store sales growth of 5.9% and new store openings. The company achieved a net income from continuing operations of $29.6 million, improving from a loss in the prior year. Adjusted Operating Income rose to $102.5 million, with margins expanding to 5.2%. For Q4 2025, net revenue grew 15.1% to $503.4 million, aided by an additional non-comparable week. National Vision also provided fiscal 2026 guidance, projecting net revenue between $2.033 billion and $2.091 billion and Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.85 to $1.09.

National Vision Reports Q1 2026 Growth and Expands Military Retail Partnership

National Vision Holdings, Inc. reported first quarter 2026 net revenue of $543.9 million, a 6.6% increase year-over-year. Comparable store sales grew 4.4%, driven by higher average ticket sizes and managed care strength, despite lower self-pay traffic. Net income rose to $31.2 million, with Adjusted Operating Income increasing 34.4% to $55.5 million. The company opened eight new America’s Best stores and closed four others, ending the quarter with 1,274 total stores. Notably, National Vision announced an expanded relationship with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), becoming the sole optical retail partner on AAFES bases in the U.S., effective April 1, 2026. This agreement adds 20 Military stores and expands presence into two additional states. The company reiterated its fiscal 2026 guidance for net revenue between $2.033 billion and $2.091 billion.

National Vision Reports Q2 2026 Financial Results with Increased Profitability and Updated Outlook

National Vision Holdings, Inc. reported its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, ending July 4, 2026. Net revenue increased 2.5% to $498.8 million, driven by new store sales and adjusted comparable store sales growth of 2.2%. The company highlighted improved profitability, with Adjusted Operating Income rising to $31.6 million from $23.8 million in the prior year, and Adjusted Diluted EPS increasing to $0.25 from $0.18. CEO Alex Wilkes noted that completing the website replatform was a significant milestone, establishing a unified commerce foundation. National Vision raised its full-year Adjusted Operating Income guidance to $119–$139 million while tightening its Adjusted Comparable Store Sales Growth outlook to 3.0%–5.0%. The company ended the quarter with 1,281 stores after opening nine new America’s Best locations.

Synsam Launches Exclusive Partnership with Erling Haaland and Enters International E-Commerce Markets

Synsam Group announced an exclusive partnership with football star Erling Haaland, launching a collection of 64 eyewear frames for women, men, and youth. The collection will be available in Synsam’s core Nordic markets (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark) via stores and online, while simultaneously entering international e-commerce through synsam.com in Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland. CEO Håkan Lundstedt described this as a major investment in trying new sales channels internationally. Additionally, a limited edition of 999 gold-colored sports glasses will release on June 9 ahead of the FIFA World Cup, available in selected stores and online across all core markets.

Latest development10-9 23:31Synsam Group reports record earnings for 2025

Synsam Group Reports 770,000 Subscribers for Lifestyle Model Ten Years After Launch

Ten years after its 2016 launch in Sweden, Synsam Group’s subscription service, Synsam Lifestyle, has reached approximately 770,000 customers across the Nordic region. The company states that this model now accounts for more than half of Synsam Group’s total revenue. Initially piloted to challenge traditional eyewear purchase cycles, the service includes prescription glasses, sunglasses, sports eyewear, and eye examinations under a predictable monthly cost. Growth milestones show subscriber numbers rising from roughly 193,000 in 2019 to 511,000 in 2022, and 756,000 in 2025. The offering has expanded to include solutions for children, seniors, contact lens users, second-hand collections, smart glasses, and corporate clients. Available in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and the Faroe Islands, the subscription is described by CEO Håkan Lundstedt as a key driver transforming customer behavior toward ongoing eye health management.

Latest development10-9 23:31Synsam Group Reports Improved Q1 Profitability and Announces

Accel-KKR Invests €60 Million in Ocuco to Drive Global Expansion and Omnichannel Software Growth

Ocuco announced a €60 million growth equity investment from Accel-KKR to fuel global expansion and meet rising omnichannel demand in the eyecare industry. The capital will support the scaling of Acuitas 3 OmniChannel Edition, a cloud-based solution designed to integrate online and in-store retail and clinical systems for over 6,750 locations across 88 countries. Additionally, the partnership aims to capitalize on strategic M&A opportunities. This announcement follows Ocuco’s recognition as one of Ireland’s Best Managed Companies for the eighth time in September 2025, highlighting its continued focus on product innovation and responsible AI frameworks.

Mister Spex Reports 2023 Financial Results with Revenue Growth and Market Share Gains

Mister Spex SE announced its full-year 2023 financial results, reporting a 6% increase in net revenue to €224 million. The company achieved an Adjusted EBITDA of €0.9 million, marking a year-on-year improvement of approximately €9 million. Growth was driven by a 10% revenue increase in Germany and strong performance in prescription glasses (10% growth) and sunglasses (13% growth). Average order value rose by 7%, while gross margin improved to 50.6%. Despite low consumer sentiment, Mister Spex gained market share against a German eyewear market growth of approximately 3%. For 2024, the company projects low to mid-single-digit percentage revenue growth and a positive low single-digit Adjusted EBITDA margin, focusing on product portfolio extensions and AI technologies.

Latest development10-9 23:25Mister Spex reports Q3 2023 financial results

Mister Spex Confirms 2024 Guidance with 2% Like-for-Like Growth in German Core Market

Mister Spex reported preliminary unaudited figures for 2024, confirming net revenue declined by 3% to approximately €216 million, within its guidance range of €210–€230 million. This decline was primarily driven by the closure of all international stores in the fourth quarter as part of the SpexFocus transformation program. Despite this, the core German market achieved 2% like-for-like growth, with brick-and-mortar stability offsetting broader declines. Adjusted EBITDA turned negative but remained within the guided range of +1% to -4%. Average order value for prescription glasses rose 12% year-over-year, aided by the September launch of the SpexPro lens portfolio. Cash balance exceeded €70 million at year-end. Audited results and 2025 outlook will be published on March 27, 2025.

Latest development10-9 23:25Mister Spex announces restructuring program and updates guid

Mister Spex Reports 65% Adjusted EBITDA Growth in H1 2026 Amid Revenue Decline and Operational Restructuring

Mister Spex SE reported a 65% year-on-year increase in adjusted EBITDA to €3.8 million for the first half of 2026, despite a 10% decline in group revenue to €87.9 million. Gross margin expanded by 197 basis points to 56.9%, driven by a higher share of prescription glasses and selective promotions. While online revenue fell 20% to €52.8 million, offline store revenue grew 10% to €35.1 million, achieving 3% like-for-like growth against a declining German optical market. The company confirmed its full-year guidance and initiated the outsourcing of production to Rodenstock and logistics to Arvato, closing its Berlin-Spandau site by year-end to enhance cost flexibility.

Latest development10-9 23:25Mister Spex reports 2024 results and 2025 outlook

Apple Acquires Silent Speech Startup Q.ai for Reported $1.6 Billion

Apple has acquired Q.ai, a stealth-mode startup founded in 2022 that converts "silent speech" into text via computer vision. Mainstream outlets like Reuters report the deal value at $1.6 billion, which would make it Apple's second-largest acquisition after Beats. The company's co-founders include Aviad Maizels (formerly of PrimeSense) and Dr. Yonatan Wexler (formerly of OrCam). Unlike hardware-based competitors using jaw sensors, Q.ai employs optical sensing to detect subvocal muscle movements from a distance. This technology could be integrated into future Apple Vision headsets, AirPods stems, or smart glasses reportedly targeted for late 2026 launch. The move highlights the industry focus on enabling private text entry for wearable eyewear.

ZEISS Vision Care Completes Acquisition of OcuPlan in the UK

ZEISS Vision Care has completed the acquisition of OcuPlan in the United Kingdom. This move integrates OcuPlan’s solutions into ZEISS’s existing portfolio, which already includes eyeglass lenses, ophthalmic instruments, and digital apps for eye care professionals and consumers. The acquisition aligns with ZEISS Vision Care’s focus on providing comprehensive solutions across the ophthalmic optics value chain, emphasizing individualized vision and lifelong visual health. As part of the ZEISS Consumer Markets segment, this addition supports the company’s broader strategy in digitalization and healthcare within the optical industry.

Rudy Project Acquires North American Distributor to Operate Directly in US Market

As of February 2026, Rudy Project has acquired ownership of Rudy Project North America L.P., its long-standing exclusive distributor based in San Clemente, California. Founded in 1998, the subsidiary will now operate under direct control, allowing the Italian brand to manage business directly in the U.S. market and the Caribbean region. CEO Cristiano Barbazza stated that this move follows the consolidation of direct control over key European markets and is supported by an ambitious multi-year investment plan. Brad Shapiro, co-founder of the North American entity, noted the decision reunites the independent company with parent firm Rudy Project S.p.A. after 25 years. The brand currently operates in more than 60 countries.

SDC Technologies Enters Strategic Investment and Collaboration Agreement with flō Optics

SDC Technologies announced a strategic investment and collaboration agreement with flō Optics to advance next-generation lens coating and surface treatment technologies. The partnership combines flō’s digital coating platform with SDC’s expertise in specialty coatings to co-develop solutions focused on performance, scalability, and sustainability in ophthalmic lens processing. SDC’s investment is part of flō Optics’ recently closed $35 million funding round. Jonathan Jaglom, CEO of flō Optics, highlighted the alignment of capabilities, while Richard Chang, President and CEO of SDC Technologies, noted that flō’s digital-first approach supports SDC’s vision for material innovation across ophthalmics.