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.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's reported financial results and strategic outlook provide key insights into the performance of a major European omnichannel eyewear retailer.
Mister Spex SE announced that Claus-Dietrich Lahrs and Gil Steyaert are running for seats on its Supervisory Board, with nominations endorsed by the current board. If elected at the Annual General Meeting in Berlin on June 7, 2024, Lahrs would serve as Chairman and Steyaert as Deputy Chairman. They succeed Peter Williams and Stuart Paterson, who are not seeking re-election after over a decade of service. Lahrs brings executive experience from luxury brands including Hugo Boss and Bottega Veneta, while Steyaert has a background in sports and fashion retail, notably at Adidas. Four other board members stand for re-election, and Tobias Krauss remains elected until 2026.
Mister Spex SE reported net sales of €51.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, representing a 2% year-on-year increase for the Group. Germany drove this performance with 5% growth, fueled by double-digit gains in sunglasses (11%) and contact lenses (14%), while prescription glasses remained flat. Conversely, the International segment declined by 8%, primarily due to weaker results in Scandinavia, Switzerland, and the UK. Management attributed mixed category outcomes to calendar effects from an earlier Easter and favorable weather conditions boosting outdoor product demand. Adjusted EBITDA remained roughly flat at -3.2% of revenues. The company reconfirmed its fiscal year 2024 guidance, anticipating low-to-mid single-digit revenue growth and a positive adjusted EBITDA margin.
At its June 2024 Annual General Meeting, Mister Spex SE shareholders adopted all nine resolutions proposed by the company’s boards. The meeting rejected all supplementary motions and countermotions with a clear majority of approximately 75% of votes cast. Key approvals included the re-appointment of four existing Supervisory Board members—Nicola Brandolese, Birgit Kretschmer, Pietro Luigi Longo, and Nicole Srock.Stanley—and the election of two new members, Claus-Dietrich Lahrs and Gil Steyaert, who succeed Peter Williams and Stuart Paterson. Shareholders also approved updated remuneration policies, including adjustments to the Management Board’s long-term incentive program, and appointed Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft as auditor for financial year 2024. Attendance represented 76% of share capital, up from 51% in 2023.
On July 4, 2024, the Supervisory Board of Mister Spex SE unanimously elected Tobias Krauss as its new Chairman. Krauss, who has served on the board since 2020 and holds positions on the Strategy and Audit Committees, is also CEO of Abacon Capital. Nicola Brandolese was simultaneously elected Deputy Chairman; he chairs the Strategy Committee and previously held leadership roles at Luxottica Group and Net-A-Porter. These appointments follow the resignations of Claus-Dietrich Lahrs and Gil Steyaert. The board reaffirmed its commitment to implementing a transformation strategy aimed at increasing profitability for the omnichannel retailer, which reported €223 million in revenue for 2023 and operates over 70 owned stores alongside four European online shops.
Mister Spex founder and CEO Dirk Graber resigned from his position effective July 31, 2024, after sixteen years of service. The Supervisory Board accepted his resignation, appointing current CFO Stephan Schulz-Gohritz to assume overall responsibility on an interim basis starting August 1, 2024, while retaining his existing duties. Graber will remain in an advisory capacity to ensure a proper handover. The Supervisory Board plans to evaluate the future Management Board structure and provide updates in due course. Tobias Krauss, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, emphasized that reaching profitability and generating positive cash flow remains the company's top priority. Since its founding in 2007, Mister Spex has served over 8 million customers through four European online shops and 65 retail stores in Germany.
Mister Spex SE announced the appointment of Francesco Liut as its new Chief Commercial Officer, effective August 1, 2024. Liut, who joined the company on June 1, 2024, will oversee online and retail businesses, including Marketing, Category Management, Product, and Data. This move marks a strategic step in Mister Spex's realignment following founder Dirk Graber’s departure on July 31, 2024, with Stephan Schulz-Gohritz assuming interim overall responsibility. Liut brings extensive industry experience from Luxottica, where he served as Group Marketing Director for brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley, and held e-commerce and supply chain roles at Sunglass Hut within EssilorLuxottica. Company leadership highlighted his expertise in omnichannel execution and digital strategy as key assets for strengthening Mister Spex's market position across its European online shops and German retail stores.
On August 1, 2024, Mister Spex began its new apprenticeship year by welcoming 41 new trainees. The intake includes 38 apprentices in optometry and three in commercial fields such as dialogue marketing, office management, and e-commerce. These individuals are starting their training at five locations where the company operates workshops: Berlin, Cologne, Münster, Reutlingen, and Mannheim. Since 2016, a total of 205 apprentices have joined Mister Spex, comprising 174 in optical roles and 31 in commercial positions. The program aims to address skilled labor shortages and position the retailer as an expert in ophthalmic optics. Apprentices spend 14 weeks per year in training workshops to focus on practical skills, separate from store sales duties.
On August 7, 2024, Mister Spex SE launched a new brand campaign titled “The Optician of Your Life,” marking a strategic repositioning from an online retail player to a comprehensive optician expert. The initiative aims to strengthen premium single vision and progressive lens segments while targeting consumers aged 40 to 60 who prioritize professional optical advice. Central to the campaign are three TV commercials featuring talking glasses, filmed at the company’s Cologne flagship store, which begin airing nationwide in Germany on August 8, 2024. Supported by regional radio, print, and out-of-home activations, the effort seeks to highlight in-house optician services and expand the varifocal lens portfolio. Management states this realignment focuses business activities on core competencies to enhance profitability and reinforce the omnichannel model across its 65 German stores.
Mister Spex SE has approved the "SpexFocus" transformation and restructuring program for 2024–2025, aiming to increase EBITDA by over €20 million. Key measures include closing all eight international stores (five in Austria, two in Sweden, one in Switzerland) due to lack of profitable growth paths, reducing personnel costs, and repositioning the brand to focus on optician expertise for the 40–60 age demographic. The company also plans to reduce promotional activities and switch its key financial indicator from Adjusted EBITDA to EBIT starting in 2025. Preliminary H1 2024 results showed net revenue of €119 million (+1% YoY) but negative adjusted EBITDA of €-0.8 million, attributed partly to adverse weather affecting sunglasses sales. Consequently, Mister Spex lowered its full-year 2024 guidance to net revenue between €210–€230 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin between +1% and -4%.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's restructuring and international store closures signal a strategic pivot toward profitability in the European online eyewear market.
Mister Spex SE announced the appointment of Christopher Douglas as its new Chief Restructuring Officer, effective September 1. This newly established role is central to executing the company’s “SpexFocus” transformation and restructuring program, which aims to enhance profitability and ensure sustainable cash generation in the medium term. Douglas will oversee restructuring projects, review the cost base, and optimize operational processes. He brings extensive experience in corporate development and financial management, having previously held roles supporting the Büll family shareholder group and leading portfolio realignment at POSSEHL Mittelstandsbeteiligungen GmbH. Stephan Schulz-Gohritz, Chairman of the Management Board and CFO, emphasized that Douglas’s strategic insight will be instrumental in advancing efficiency within the SpexFocus initiative.
Mister Spex SE reported net revenue of €119 million for the first half of 2024, reflecting a 1% year-on-year growth. In Q2 2024, sales reached €67.6 million, also up 1%. The German market demonstrated robust performance with a 4% like-for-like growth in physical retail during Q2. Prescription glasses sales in Germany rose by 11%, while sunglasses decreased by 2% due to weather conditions. Adjusted EBITDA declined slightly by €0.8 million in H1, though Q2 saw a €0.8 million improvement. The company has initiated its 'SpexFocus' restructuring program targeting over €20 million in EBITDA savings by 2025-2026, alongside a rebranding effort and the launch of a new sports eyewear collection. Active customers fell by 2% to 1.697 million, but average order value increased by 3% to €97.6. Full-year guidance projects net revenue between €210-230 million.
Editorial relevance: The report details Mister Spex's financial performance and strategic restructuring, highlighting omnichannel growth in Germany and new product category expansion.
At its Extraordinary General Meeting on September 20, 2024, Mister Spex SE shareholders approved all management proposals. The vote confirmed the reduction of the Supervisory Board from seven to five members to streamline governance and cut costs under the "SpexFocus" restructuring program. Additionally, resolutions originally passed at the Annual General Meeting on June 7, 2024, were reaffirmed after a shareholder challenge necessitated legal confirmation. Counterproposals were rejected by over 75% of votes cast, while participation exceeded 70% of share capital. Chairman Stephan Schulz-Gohritz outlined updated full-year guidance and highlighted initiatives including personnel cost reductions and the introduction of the SpexPro private label in the premium lens segment.
Mister Spex SE appointed Eileen Preuss as its new Head of Optical Expertise, effective October 1, 2024. This newly created role focuses on overseeing quality assurance for optical services, setting and implementing quality standards, and selecting optical systems. Preuss reports directly to Chief Commercial Officer Francesco Liut and will lead the continuous professional development of the company’s opticians. With nearly a decade of experience in the international optics industry and academic training in optometry, she brings expertise in launching products and training professionals. CEO Stephan Schulz-Gohritz stated that her knowledge will help elevate service quality and solidify Mister Spex’s position as a leading omnichannel optician. The appointment highlights the retailer’s commitment to reinforcing its optical leadership across its European online shops and German retail stores.
Mister Spex SE reported €57.8 million in revenue for Q3 2024, a 3% year-on-year decline primarily driven by the closure of international stores in Scandinavia, Austria, and Switzerland under its "SpexFocus" restructuring program. Despite the overall drop, the core German market grew by 2%, with prescription glasses revenue rising 4% globally and 5% in Germany. The company achieved a significant gross margin improvement of 302 basis points to 48.8%, attributed to a higher share of high-margin products like the new "SpexPro" premium lens private label and reduced promotional discounts. Average order value increased by 3% to €99.4. Adjusted EBITDA fell to -€1.4 million from €0.2 million in the prior year. Mister Spex confirmed its full-year guidance of €210–€230 million net revenue.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's Q3 results highlight the impact of strategic international store closures on revenue while demonstrating margin improvements through premium private label lenses and reduced discounting in its core German market.
On November 20, 2024, Mister Spex SE announced the release of a comprehensive eye health guide targeting both consumers and professionals. The resource details common conditions such as conjunctivitis, glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration, covering causes, symptoms, treatment options, and preventive measures. It provides practical advice on regular check-ups, balanced diets, UV protection, reducing screen time, and wearing high-quality sunglasses. Additionally, the guide offers tailored solutions for contact lens wearers, particularly those with dry eyes or allergies, focusing on optimal comfort and care routines. Stefanie Berger, an optometrist at Mister Spex, stated that the initiative aims to encourage early action and long-term eyesight protection through knowledge and preventive strategies.
Mister Spex achieved over 30% like-for-like sales growth in its German stores during the Black Friday 2024 campaign compared to 2023, generating approximately €10 million in net revenue. The performance was driven by increased foot traffic and targeted marketing, highlighting the role of brick-and-mortar locations within its omnichannel strategy. Prescription glasses sales rose by 7%, led by an 11% increase in own-brand products, while eye exams grew by 11% to over 7,500. The company processed more than 110,000 orders with delivery times reduced by about 1.5 days. Management attributes the success to the SpexFocus transformation program and effective execution of omnichannel initiatives.
On January 21, 2025, Mister Spex SE announced a new corporate vision and mission as part of its SpexFocus transformation program. The company’s stated goal is to become the leading "vision-as-a-service" provider, moving beyond traditional eyewear sales to focus on eye health and individual style. This strategic update builds upon the brand repositioning introduced in August 2024 under the claim "The Optician of Your Life." Chairman Stephan Schulz-Gohritz described the changes as a logical step combining eye health expertise with customer empowerment. The announcement accompanies the restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing profitability and sustainable cash generation. As Germany’s leading omnichannel optician, Mister Spex operates four online shops across Europe and 65 retail stores in Germany, serving over 8 million customers since its founding in 2007.
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.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's confirmed guidance and like-for-like growth in Germany highlight the resilience of its omnichannel model despite international store closures and reduced discounting.
Mister Spex’s Supervisory Board appointed Tobias Krauss as CEO, effective April 1, 2025. Krauss, previously Chairman of the Supervisory Board since July 2024 and CEO of ABACON CAPITAL, succeeds interim CEO Stephan Schulz-Gohritz, who remains CFO. Nicola Brandolese, former Deputy Chairman, will assume the role of Chairman of the Supervisory Board on April 1, 2025. The leadership change aims to continue the "SpexFocus" restructuring program launched in 2024, which targets increased profitability through streamlined costs and optimized product portfolios. Krauss stated his intent to lead the company toward a profitable future by building on existing transformation foundations.
German optical retailer Mister Spex SE announced its full-year 2024 financial results, marked by the implementation of its "SpexFocus" transformation program. Net revenue decreased by 3% to €217 million, within adjusted guidance, while the adjusted EBITDA margin stood at -2.7%. The International segment saw a 13% revenue decline due to store closures in Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland, leaving only an online presence outside Germany. In contrast, the German core market remained flat year-on-year with 2% like-for-like sales growth. Key initiatives included a reduction in discount promotions, which improved prescription glasses margins by approximately 77 basis points, and the launch of private label lenses, SpexPro, which accounted for roughly 20% of prescription orders in Q4 2024. For 2025, Mister Spex expects net revenue to decline by 5% to 10% as it continues to prioritize profitability over volume, shifting its key performance metric to EBIT.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's financial results and strategic pivot highlight the challenges of balancing online discount-driven growth with profitability in the optical retail sector.
At its virtual Annual General Meeting on June 5, 2025, Mister Spex SE shareholders approved all management proposals with a majority of approximately 95%. The meeting elected Quentin Demeestère, Co-Founder and CEO of French software company Popwork, as a new member of the Supervisory Board. He succeeds Tobias Krauss, who assumed the role of CEO on April 1, 2025. Attendees also reappointed Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft as statutory auditor for the 2025 financial year and approved the 2024 remuneration report. Management presented results for the 2024 financial year and updates on the “SpexFocus” transformation program. The meeting recorded a presence of approximately 59% of registered share capital.
Mister Spex SE announced an adjustment to its 2025 financial year revenue guidance, now expecting a decline of -10% to -20%, compared to the previous forecast of -5% to -10%. This revision follows weaker-than-expected sales in the second quarter due to intensified promotional activity and pricing pressure, particularly in the online sunglasses category. The company confirmed that its EBIT margin guidance remains unchanged at -5% to -15%, reflecting an improvement of roughly EUR 1.3 million, and reaffirmed its expected year-end cash position of approximately EUR 65 million ± EUR 5 million. CEO Tobias Krauss stated that Mister Spex deliberately chose not to follow the promotional trend to maintain trading discipline under its SpexFocus transformation programme. This strategy has resulted in gross margins ahead of the previous year, an 11% increase in overall average order value (AOV), and a 23% rise in prescription glasses AOV. Full Q2 financial results are scheduled for publication on 28 August 2025.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's decision to prioritize profitability over promotional pricing in the online channel highlights a strategic shift in German optical retail, impacting revenue forecasts while improving margins.
On August 1, 2025, German optical retailer Mister Spex began its 2025 apprenticeship program with 47 new trainees, including 45 in optometry. This cohort brings the total number of apprentices joined since 2016 to 257, with 223 specializing in optometry. The company operates five training workshops in Berlin, Münster, Reutlingen, Mannheim, and Cologne to support hands-on skill development. Apprentices spend approximately 14 weeks per year in these workshops without sales pressure, alongside store experience and vocational school education. Mister Spex reports an average post-apprenticeship employment rate of 75 percent since the program's inception. Executive Vice President Retail Heinzpeter Mandl stated the initiative addresses skilled professional shortages in the optical industry.
Mister Spex SE reported significantly improved profitability for the second quarter of 2025, with EBIT rising by €3.0 million to -€4.3 million. Net revenue declined 22% year-on-year to €53 million, driven by a deliberate reduction in online discount promotions which lowered demand in the sunglasses segment. However, gross margin increased by 504 basis points to 53.7%, supported by a better product mix featuring a higher share of prescription glasses (38%) and premium private label 'SpexPro'. The company launched its 'Mister Spex Switch' subscription model in stores in May 2025 and online in August 2025, alongside an Eye Health Check service. Operating cash flow turned positive at €0.4 million. Mister Spex adjusted its full-year revenue guidance to a decline of 10-20% but maintained its EBIT guidance.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's Q2 2025 results illustrate a strategic pivot from volume-driven discounting to profitability-focused omnichannel retail, highlighting the impact of product mix and subscription models on optical ecommerce economics.
Mister Spex SE announced that Chief Financial Officer and Management Board member Stephan Schulz-Gohritz will leave the company by mutual agreement effective October 31, 2025. Schulz-Gohritz joined in January 2024 and assumed ad interim overall responsibility from August 1, 2024, during which he initiated the SpexFocus restructuring program. Supervisory Board Chairman Nicola Brandolese acknowledged his contribution to the company’s transformation toward long-term profitability. The departure does not affect the financial outlook adjusted on June 16, 2025. Mister Spex is scheduled to publish its third-quarter results for fiscal year 2025 on November 13, 2025.
Mister Spex SE announced on October 30, 2025, the appointment of Benjamin v. Schenck as Chief Financial Officer and Management Board member, effective November 1, 2025. He succeeds Stephan Schulz-Gohritz, who departs by mutual agreement on October 31, 2025. Schenck brings over 15 years of finance experience from Outfittery, ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, and BNP Paribas. CEO Tobias Krauss stated Schenck will strengthen financial steering to support disciplined growth and profitability during the company’s transformation phase. Chairman Nicola Brandolese noted his digital platform expertise aids long-term value creation. Schenck expressed excitement about driving strategic and financial transformation within Mister Spex’s omnichannel model.
Mister Spex SE reported improved profitability in Q3 2025, with EBIT rising by €10 million to -€4.6 million and gross margin increasing by approximately 600 basis points to 54.8%. Net revenue fell 18% year-on-year to approximately €47 million, reflecting a deliberate reduction in online promotional activity and the exit from unprofitable international markets. The company signed agreements to acquire four optical stores in Germany, expected to consolidate in Q1 2026. While online sales declined, store revenue grew 11%, driven by a 9% increase in prescription glasses sales. Free cash flow improved by €10.2 million to -€7.5 million. Mister Spex confirmed its 2025 guidance, expecting a net revenue decline of 10-20% and an EBIT margin between -5% and -15%.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's Q3 results highlight a strategic pivot from online volume to omnichannel profitability, demonstrating how reducing promotional intensity and focusing on high-margin prescription products can improve EBIT despite revenue declines.
Mister Spex announced that its German stores achieved a 16% year-on-year increase in revenue during the Black Friday 2025 campaign period. The online platform recorded over 1.2 million visits during this time. In-store sales were driven by a 14% rise in prescription glasses and an increase of more than 20% in sunglasses. Optical services remained in high demand, with approximately 20,000 eye exams and over 500 eye health checks conducted throughout the campaign, including around 5,000 eye exams during the weekend alone. The 'Mister Spex Switch' subscription model, launched in May 2025, saw new subscriptions rise by 63% compared to the pre-campaign period, accounting for 13% of total store sales.
Mister Spex SE confirmed its 2025 financial guidance, reporting preliminary net revenue of approximately €178 million, an 18% year-on-year decline consistent with its -10% to -20% range. This decrease was primarily driven by deliberate store portfolio adjustments in Q4 2024 and reduced promotional activities. Despite the overall revenue drop, like-for-like growth reached 8%, reflecting resilient demand in the German core business. The EBIT margin landed in the lower half of the guided -5% to -15% range, while cash balance remained stable at roughly €56 million. Average order value for prescription glasses rose 20% due to an improved product mix and the Mister Spex Switch subscription model, which accounted for 16% of store sales in Q4 2025. The company will publish its 2026 outlook on March 26, 2026.
On February 26, 2026, Mister Spex opened a new premium store at Kurfürstendamm 200 in Berlin. This expansion increases the retailer's footprint to seven stores in Berlin and 66 across Germany. The company states that selective growth targets markets with strong brand awareness to accelerate profitable growth and enhance margins. The location features a team of seven professionals offering preventive eye care and personalized consultation, including the Eye Health Check service rolled out nationwide in June 2025. While the press release notes 66 stores in Germany, the "About" section cites 65 own retail stores, highlighting a minor internal discrepancy in reported totals.
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.
Editorial relevance: This announcement details a significant infrastructure overhaul for a major German optical retailer, highlighting the industry trend toward unified commerce platforms to support omnichannel strategies and AI integration.
Mister Spex SE announced its full-year 2025 financial results, marking the completion of its first transformation phase. Net revenue declined 16% to €181 million due to deliberate pricing discipline and exits from unprofitable international online markets. However, structural earnings power improved significantly, with EBIT rising by €59 million year-on-year to -€26 million and gross margin expanding by 580 basis points to 55.6%. The German store network reached structural profitability, with 45 stores operating at break-even or above. For 2026, Mister Spex expects net revenue to decrease between 0% and 10% compared to 2025. The company will adopt adjusted EBITDA as its key performance indicator and implement a two-business-unit structure separating online and offline operations.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's financial results highlight a strategic pivot toward profitability through pricing discipline and market exits, offering insights into the operational restructuring of major European online optical retailers.
On April 1, 2026, German optical retailer Mister Spex opened a new store in Hamburg-Bergedorf, increasing its nationwide network to 67 locations, including four in Hamburg. The company describes this as part of a disciplined expansion strategy focused on profitable growth and strengthening regional presence. The approximately 250-square-metre location implements the current store concept with a local team of experts to support consultation-intensive products like prescription lenses and eye health services. Mister Spex highlights that personal interaction drives higher average order values and long-term customer relationships, supported by offerings such as the Switch subscription model and Eye Health Check. This move reinforces direct customer engagement within its omnichannel structure, which also includes four European online shops and partner opticians.
Mister Spex SE reported improved operating performance for the first quarter of 2026, with adjusted EBITDA rising 88% to €1.3 million despite a 9% year-on-year decline in net revenue to €40.7 million. The company attributed the revenue drop to a challenging consumer environment and a deliberate shift toward revenue quality in its online segment, which declined 19% due to reduced promotions and the closure of five unprofitable international shops. Conversely, the offline store network grew 11%, supported by new openings and acquisitions. Gross margin expanded by approximately 230 basis points to 59%, driven by a higher share of prescription glasses and premium lens sales. Mister Spex also introduced four structural enablers—Unified Stack, AI-Driver, Operating Leverage, and Value Creation—to build a resilient operating model and confirmed its full-year 2026 guidance.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's Q1 2026 results highlight a strategic pivot from volume to margin in eyewear ecommerce, driven by offline growth and reduced online promotional activity.
At the Annual General Meeting held on June 12, 2026, shareholders of Mister Spex SE approved all management agenda items with a majority of approximately 95%. The virtual meeting recorded a presence of roughly 68% of the company’s share capital. Attendees formally discharged the Management and Supervisory Boards for the 2025 financial year and reappointed Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft as statutory auditor for 2026. Dr. Michael Ahrens was elected to the Supervisory Board, succeeding Pietro Luigi Longo, whose term ended upon the meeting's conclusion. Nicole Srock.Stanley was re-elected for another term. CEO Tobias Krauss and CFO Benjamin von Schenck presented an overview of 2025 performance and outlined strategic goals for sustainable profitable growth through organizational efficiency.
Mister Spex SE has decided to apply for the transfer of its shares from the Prime Standard to the General Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The Management Board aims to reduce the additional efforts associated with Prime Standard listing obligations. The revocation of admission to the Prime Standard will become effective three months after the publication of the decision by the Frankfurt Stock Exchange's Management Board. Trading on the regulated market under the General Standard remains unaffected. Currently, Mister Spex operates four online shops across Europe and 65 retail stores in Germany, serving over 8 million customers since its founding in 2007.
On August 1, 2026, German optical retailer Mister Spex will start apprenticeships for 53 young people, with 50 training as opticians. This initiative continues the company’s long-term commitment to developing qualified professionals in the optical industry. Since 2016, 310 apprentices have begun their careers at Mister Spex, including 273 in optician roles. The program combines practical store experience, vocational school teaching, and intensive learning periods in five dedicated training workshops located in Berlin, Münster, Reutlingen, Mannheim, and Cologne. Heinzpeter Mandl, Executive Vice President Commercial, emphasized the importance of investing in the next generation. Following successful completion, Mister Spex has historically offered permanent positions to an average of 80 percent of its apprentices.
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.
Editorial relevance: Mister Spex's H1 2026 results highlight a strategic shift toward an asset-light omnichannel model, prioritizing margin expansion and operational flexibility over top-line growth in a declining market.
Starting September 1, 2026, Megane Top (operating as "Megane Ichiba") is conducting simultaneous eyewear inspections at all its stores across Japan. The initiative targets both glasses purchased from Megane Ichiba and those bought from other retailers. Inspections include checking and replacing parts, verifying screw looseness or deterioration, adjusting balance, and cleaning. To support disaster preparedness, the company is distributing "Disaster Prevention Glasses Cases" to store inspected glasses for emergency storage. This program, a continuation of last year's effort, aims to ensure users have functional vision aids during emergencies, particularly addressing issues like contact lens hygiene limitations or the need for reading glasses in shelters.