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The rise of e-commerce platforms has paved the way for businesses to tap into broader audiences through various marketing strategies. For instance, companies are now exerting extra effort into their e-commerce packaging to protect their products during shipping, establish brand identity, and set a good impression. From eco-friendly options to custom-printed designs, e-commerce businesses are using packaging to create a stronger brand image and attract and retain customers.
Aside from packaging, companies are also emphasizing niche offerings to drive success. Among the industries banking on niche offerings is the eyewear sector, one of the strongest market players today. The eyewear industry caters to a wide range of eye care needs, from sunglasses and reading glasses to corrective lenses and sports eyewear, suggesting a broad customer base with a diverse range of needs. In this article, we examine how niche offerings play a key role in the industry’s e-commerce growth.
The growing demand for eye care
According to a Grand View Research report, the global eyewear market was valued at $183.36 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at an 8.3% CAGR from 2024 to 2030. The same report mentioned that the rising cases of eye problems like astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia are driving the demand for eyewear. In response, companies are increasing the accessibility of eyewear through e-commerce distribution channels and making a diverse range of eye care products readily available to consumers. Due to greater convenience and accessibility offered by virtual eyewear stores, the e-commerce segment of the eyewear market is expected to grow further from 2024 to 2030.
Today, the eyewear industry caters to specific niches to stimulate market growth. Here are some examples:
Key niche offerings
An IMARC Group study found North America dominated the global reading glasses market share by more than 38.2% in 2024, driven by a rapidly aging population. Eyewear company Readers has responded to the growing need for reader glasses with the e-commerce platform providing affordable options like The Alivia and The Dominic for less than $25. The brand lets buyers quickly find their preferred reading glasses through filtering options based on gender, lens power, and frame style. Today, the global reading glasses market is expected to reach $67.81 billion by 2033 with a 4.36% CAGR, with increasing accessibility provided by e-commerce platforms driving market success.
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Contact lenses are another vision correction tool popular for their ease of use and convenience. According to Research and Markets, contact lenses have become a viable option to meet the growing aging population’s functional and aesthetic vision needs. Today, e-commerce sites like ContactsDirect provide easy access to various contact lenses, allowing site visitors to compare prices online and order from anywhere, appealing to diverse customers who do not live near physical stores. In 2024, the value of the US contact lens market was at $3.09 billion and is expected to reach $4.67 billion by 2033 with a 4.72% CAGR.
Meanwhile, according to Global Market Insights, the sports sunglasses industry is expected to grow with a 6.6% CAGR from 2024 to 2032, driven by the rising popularity of outdoor sports and the increasing awareness about the importance of eye protection. Performance eyewear brand Oakley is among the companies meeting the demand for sports sunglasses, with its e-commerce platform providing prescription sunnies options like the Oakley Holbrook, allowing consumers to conveniently input their prescription online for enhanced sports performance without compromising eyesight. In the second quarter of 2023, Oakley’s parent company, EssilorLuxottica, posted an 8% revenue increase, with the performance eyewear company recognized as one of the leading brands alongside Ray-Ban.
Eyewear e-commerce platforms are further driving industry growth through niche offerings that cater to specific eye care needs. From vision correction to enhanced sports performance, the eyewear industry provides a range of options that meet wearers’ demands. If you’re looking for a free web hosting control panel so your e-commerce site can meet similar customer needs, visit the CyberPanel website.
