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Opinions about the maturity and growth potential of consumer optics have long differed. Most investors are convinced that this market segment has no value and that technology should not be mixed with established traditions. But this market is continuously growing, led by EssilorLuxottica, which owns the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands. The desire to use high technology in combination with AI shows that augmented reality is just the beginning.
According to Q2 2025 results, the revenue of the Franco-Italian giant, which ranks 262 in the list of the largest public companies in the world, reached €7.18 billion ($8.36 billion), demonstrating annual growth of 7.3%. According to the consensus forecast, a more modest increase of only 5.9% was expected. The S&P 500 Index performance remains volatile, primarily due to a new wave of activity by technology companies. Meta Platforms Inc., whose sales figures for smart glasses in partnership with EssilorLuxottica are impressive, is playing a confident role.
Europe delivered the most substantial profits of the quarter. The active marketing campaign for Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses facilitated its success. The company does not just sell accessories, but is shaping a new technological niche in premium eyewear.
In North America, growth has been constrained by double pressure: the increase in import duties and the negative impact of the weakening of the US dollar on revenue conversion. Despite this, demand for flagship products, including smart glasses, remained steady despite rising prices.
Statistics once again confirm the strategic success of the partnership with Meta. Sales of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses more than tripled in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. EssilorLuxottica does not stop there:
- Product line expansion: This year, the company introduced Nuance Audio glasses, which focus on premium sound quality.
- Getting into sports: The expected Oakley Meta sports smart glasses have been announced, positioning the concept within the active lifestyle segment and significantly expanding the collaboration’s target audience.
During the quarterly conference, CEO Francesco Milleri expressed confidence in repeating Ray-Ban Meta’s success with a new sports line. The company’s management expects rapid growth in sales of Oakley Meta smart glasses, and is confident in matching Ray-Ban Meta’s performance metrics.
To meet the growing demand, the company is increasing its capacity. Milleri announced plans to increase production volumes in Thailand by the end of 2026, bringing the total annual production capacity of smart glasses to 10 million pairs.
Meta’s move also emphasizes the strategic importance of the partnership. In early July, the company acquired just under 3% of EssilorLuxottica shares. As Mark Zuckerberg notes, this fast-growing segment allows Meta to delve deeper into hardware development and distribution channel control.
Stefano Grassi (EssilorLuxottica’s CFO) shared plans to counter potential losses. He is convinced that raising regional prices, especially in the US, and optimizing supply chains will prove effective. This will have to be reinforced with a modified distribution policy, focusing on specific markets. According to his plan, revenues will stabilize in the second half of the year.
The top management of EssilorLuxottica continues its partnership with Meta and plans to stick to the strategy despite the current difficulties. The company expects revenue growth of 40-80% by 2026 at constant exchange rates and adjusted operating margins of 19-20%. For investors looking beyond traditional sectors, EssilorLuxottica’s strong growth and robust dividend policy might make it one of the highest dividend stocks in the consumer optics space.
EssilorLuxottica’s results demonstrate how technological advances have successfully transformed the traditional optical market leader. The substantial increase in sales of smart glasses, the active expansion of the product line, investments in production, and the strengthening of the partnership with Meta are precisely the factors that can compensate for the difficulties.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
