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Banuba Compares Pricing Models for Eight Shopify Virtual Try-On Apps in 2026

Banuba published a comparison of eight Shopify virtual try-on apps as of October 2026, noting monthly costs range from $14.99 to $1,299. The analysis distinguishes between three billing units: per-try-on generations (used by six apps), digitized products (Camweara), and free built-in media (Shopify). It highlights that entry-level plans often have higher per-unit costs at volume compared to premium tiers. Key findings include that four apps charge overage fees between $0.10 and $0.17 per extra try-on, while Banuba is the only app listed without auto-charged overages. The report also contrasts real-time AR solutions, such as Banuba and Camweara, with AI photo generation apps, advising retailers to match the technology to their product category, particularly for face-worn items like eyewear.

Meta, Pinacoteca di Brera, and EssilorLuxottica Launch 'Sensing Art' Pilot for Visually Impaired Visitors

Meta, the Pinacoteca di Brera museum in Milan, and EssilorLuxottica have launched "Sensing Art," a pilot project using AI glasses to enhance art accessibility for blind and visually impaired visitors. The initiative integrates Meta and EssilorLuxottica's AI glasses with the museum's existing Grande Brera app, which features audio tours developed by sight loss charities ANS, UICI, and Fondazione Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano. Visitors can activate artwork recognition on eight selected pieces via the glasses, listening to descriptions through open-ear speakers. Additional tools include Meta AI for contextual questions and Be My Eyes for real-time volunteer support. The tour is available upon reservation Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

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.

XREAL and ASUS ROG Announce Partnership and Unveil ROG XREAL R1 AR Gaming Glasses at CES 2026

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, XREAL announced a strategic partnership with ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) and unveiled the ROG XREAL R1 AR Gaming Glasses. Described as the world’s first 240Hz micro-OLED FHD (1920 x 1080) gaming glasses, the R1 features an exclusive ROG Control Dock for connectivity with PCs and consoles via DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0. The device weighs 91 grams and offers a 57° field of view, 3DoF spatial anchoring, electrochromic tinting, and Sound by Bose audio. Powered by XREAL’s X1 chip and patented X-Prism Optical Engine, it delivers a 171-inch virtual screen experience with 3ms motion-to-photon latency. The glasses are expected to ship globally in the first half of 2026.

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 launches EyeD, its first custom 3D-printed eyewear collection available in 37 stores

On October 4, 2023, Mister Spex announced the launch of EyeD, its first own-brand custom collection of 3D-printed eyewear. The service utilizes in-house facial scanning technology via tablets in-store to measure parameters such as nose bridge width and temple length, ensuring a personalized fit. Customers can currently choose from six models and seven colors. The glasses are made from high-quality polyamide using a resource-saving process, with production taking three to four weeks. Initially, EyeD is available for order in 37 Mister Spex stores across Germany and Austria at a price of 249 euros plus lenses.

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

Mister Spex Launches Germany's First Online Eyewear Subscription Model

On August 4, 2025, Mister Spex launched "Mister Spex Switch," becoming the first optical retailer in Germany to offer a subscription-based eyewear rental model online. The service allows customers to select at least two pairs of glasses during checkout, with the option to exchange one model after twelve months. The package includes insurance, free lens adjustments, and an annual eye health check, providing access to approximately 100 brands and 12,000 products. Following its retail store launch on May 14, 2025, which saw over 3,000 subscriptions and accounted for around 10% of total store revenue in June and July, the digital expansion aims to scale recurring revenue streams. CEO Tobias Krauss noted that the subscription model drives higher average order values, approximately three times those of standard purchases, and attracts new customers, with over 40% of subscribers being first-time buyers.

Mister Spex Selects Salesforce Platform to Realign Omnichannel Infrastructure

German optical retailer Mister Spex has chosen Salesforce to replace its legacy systems with an integrated platform. The initial phase involves deploying Salesforce Commerce Cloud with Order Management for its DACH online shop and Salesforce Retail Cloud for its 66 German stores. This consolidation aims to unify previously separate online and in-store operations, reducing complexity and accelerating innovation. Mister Spex will centralize data from approximately eight million customers to enable personalized cross-channel experiences and utilize AI capabilities for product placement. Further expansions into marketing, customer service, and Agentforce-based AI use cases are planned, alongside a future ERP modernization. The implementation, supported by Salesforce Professional Services, will roll out gradually throughout the year, ensuring compliance with medical device regulations.

ZVA Report Shows Stable German Optical Market with Low Online Sales Share

The Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA) released its 2025/26 industry report, indicating a stable but less dynamic German optical market. Revenue rose by 0.6% in 2025 to over €7 billion, lagging behind inflation, while complete eyeglass sales dropped 2% to nearly 12 million units. The number of optical businesses fell to approximately 10,700, with the top ten companies now holding 55% of total revenue. Online sales of glasses and accessories remained insignificant at a 5% revenue share, with only 6% of purchases decided online. ZVA President Kai Jaeger noted that structural changes are advancing, particularly affecting small owner-operated businesses due to succession issues. The report emphasizes that personal consultation remains the dominant model, though digital tools like online booking are increasingly adopted.

German Consumer Optics Industry Surpasses €5 Billion Revenue in 2025 Amid Stable Growth and Cautious Outlook

At the opti 2026 trade fair in Munich, SPECTARIS reported that the German consumer optics industry exceeded €5 billion in revenue for the first time in 2025, achieving low single-digit growth. While domestic sales rose by approximately 0.5 percent amid consumer restraint, foreign business grew more dynamically at nearly 3 percent, maintaining an export share of around 50 percent. Preliminary data indicates a slight decline in employment during 2025, with companies expecting stable to slightly decreasing staffing levels in 2026. For the current year, firms anticipate similar overall revenue trends, driven primarily by stronger international performance. The association also outlined product trends for 2026, including modular designs, 3D-printed glasses, sustainable materials, and digital health features like myopia management.

Satisloh Announces Availability of NEO Blockless Surfacing Line at MIDO

Satisloh announced the immediate availability of its NEO Blockless Surfacing Line, featuring the NEO-orbit generator & engraver and the NEO-flex polisher. Designed for mid- to high-volume laboratories, this two-machine system eliminates traditional blocking steps such as taping, cooling, and alloy waste handling. The company states the line reduces surfacing time to seven minutes per pair, processes up to 80 lenses per hour, and lowers consumable costs by up to 25% while reducing lab footprint by up to 60%. Utilizing a patent-pending Pin Vacuum Lens Reception system, the NEO line supports over 99% of lens jobs, including high curves and non-rotationally symmetric surfaces. Satisloh presented the technology at MIDO.

Rodenstock Wins Silmo d'Or in Vision Category for B.I.G. EXACT™ Sensitive Lenses

In September 2025, Rodenstock won the Silmo d'Or award in the Vision category at the SILMO optical trade fair in Paris for its B.I.G. EXACT™ Sensitive lenses. Selected by an international jury from 75 nominations, these lenses are described as the world's first spectacle lenses optimized for individual visual sensitivity and biometry. The technology builds on Rodenstock's B.I.G. VISION™ platform, using DNEye® Scanner measurements to tailor lenses to each person's unique visual perception reactions. Company executives stated the award recognizes innovation and supports differentiation for optician partners.

Mister Spex and Skleo Health Report: 29% of Asymptomatic Eye Screening Participants Show Findings Requiring Further Assessment

To mark World Sight Day on October 8, 2026, Mister Spex and Skleo Health published their 2026 Eye Health Report, analyzing 13,986 professional screenings conducted at over 60 Mister Spex stores across Germany. The data reveals that 29% of participants who reported no symptoms showed findings requiring further assessment, rising to 61% among those aged over 60. Additionally, 14% of all participants had at least one clinical abnormality, such as reduced visual acuity or signs indicating drusen or glaucoma. The report also identifies a preventive care gap, with 81% of participants not having seen an ophthalmologist in more than two years or never having had an examination. Mister Spex offers these store-based checks to identify potential issues early and connect customers with specialist ophthalmology care via the Skleo Health platform.