United Arab Emirates (UAE) Eyewear Market Overview, 2028

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Eyewear Market Overview, 2028

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), eyewear is a necessary accessory that primarily corrects vision but also serves as a fashion statement. With a growing population and an increasing number of people suffering from vision-related issues, the UAE's eyewear market has expanded in recent years. Furthermore, the UAE is known for its fashion-forward approach to eyewear, with many consumers looking for stylish frames that reflect their personal style. This has led to an increase in demand for designer eyewear brands and luxury frames, especially in major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Moreover, with the hot and sunny climate in the UAE, consumers are also looking for high-quality lenses that offer protection from harmful UV rays. Many opticians in the UAE offer a range of lens options, including polarised lenses and photochromic lenses that automatically adjust to changing light conditions. In addition, Islam is the dominant religion in the UAE, and Islamic values play a role in the types of eyewear that are popular in the region. For example, many Muslim women wear hijab, which covers the hair and neck, and this has led to an increase in demand for eyewear that complements this style, such as oversized sunglasses or glasses with a low bridge.

According to the research report ""United Arab Emirates Eyewear Market Overview, 2028,"" published by Bonafide Research, the United Arab Eyewear market size more than USD 1.5 Billion by 2028. The UAE is a conservative country, and there is an emphasis on modesty in dress and behavior. This has led to a preference for eyewear that is not too flashy or ostentatious, with many consumers opting for understated designs and colours. Furthermore, the UAE is home to many sports and outdoor activities, such as golf, tennis, and desert safaris. This has led to a demand for specialized eyewear that is designed for these activities, such as sports goggles or sunglasses with wraparound frames. In addition, smart glasses are a technological trend in the eyewear industry that offer advanced features like augmented reality, virtual reality, and voice assistants. Consumers in the UAE are interested in smart glasses that can help them with daily tasks, like tracking fitness goals or offering translation services. Furthermore, with an increase in the use of digital devices, consumers in the UAE are becoming more aware of the harmful effects of blue light on the eyes. As a result, blue-light-blocking glasses are gaining popularity in the UAE market. These glasses have special lenses that block blue light emitted by digital screens, reducing eye strain and improving sleep quality. Moreover, smart contact lenses are a new technological trend in the eyewear industry that offer features like tracking health data and measuring glucose levels in tears for diabetics. While still in the early stages of development, smart contact lenses have the potential to revolutionize the eyewear industry in the UAE and beyond.

When it comes to product types, spectacles have the highest market share in the UAE eyewear market. One of the main factors is that spectacles are often prescribed by eye doctors to correct vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. As such, there is a significant demand for prescription eyeglasses in the UAE, particularly among older adults. Furthermore, another factor contributing to the popularity of spectacles in the UAE is the increasing prevalence of digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. These devices can cause eye strain and fatigue, and many consumers are turning to prescription eyeglasses to alleviate these symptoms and improve their overall eye health. However, contact lenses have the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Contact lenses offer a convenient alternative to eyeglasses, particularly for those who are active or engaged in sports. They don't get in the way during physical activity, and they don't fog up or get dirty like eyeglasses.

The medium-price segment in the United Arab Emirates eyewear market has the highest market share. The medium price range offers a balance between affordability and quality. Consumers are willing to pay a little extra for eyewear products that are durable, comfortable, and offer good visual clarity, but they don't want to overspend. On the other hand, the premium price range in the United Arab Emirates eyewear market is expected to experience a high CAGR during the forecast period due to the fact that many consumers are looking for eyewear products that reflect their personal style and social status and are willing to pay a premium for luxury products that offer exclusivity and prestige.

When it comes to distribution channels in the United Arab Emirates eyewear market, optical stores have the largest market share. Optical stores are staffed by licensed optometrists and opticians who are trained to help customers find the right eyewear for their specific needs. This level of expertise is not available in other retail settings, such as department stores or online marketplaces. For instance, some of the popular stores include Al Jaber Optical, Yateem Optician, Magrabi Optical, Grand Optics, Vision Express, Optx2020, Rivoli Eyezone, Optic Gallery, Alpha Optical, Optifashion, and more. Furthermore, the online distribution channel is experiencing the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Many online retailers offer virtual try-on tools that allow customers to see how different frames will look on their faces. This personalised experience can be especially valuable for customers who may not have access to physical stores that carry a wide range of styles. For instance, some popular online distribution channels for eyewear in the United Arab Emirates includeEyewa, SmartBuyGlasses, GlassesUSA, Opticsonline, Opticgallery, Rivolishop, Visiondirect, Glasses, JustSunnies, Sunglasses-Shop, and more.

Start-ups:
• Eyewa is an online eyewear retailer that offers a wide range of eyewear products, including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. They also offer virtual try-on technology and free home delivery services across the UAE.
• Barelles is a luxury eyewear brand based in Dubai that offers handmade eyewear made from high-quality materials like Italian acetate and Japanese titanium. They also offer customized designs for customers who want a unique and personalized eyewear experience.
• Shademaker is a Dubai-based start-up that offers customizable sunglasses made from 3D printing technology. Customers can choose from a variety of designs and colors to create their own unique pair of sunglasses.
• Melt is an eyewear brand that offers sustainable and eco-friendly eyewear made from recycled materials. They also offer a one-for-one program, where for every pair of glasses sold, they donate a pair to someone in need.
• Ditto is a start-up that offers virtual try-on technology for eyewear brands. Their technology uses facial mapping to create a 3D model of the customer's face, allowing them to virtually try on different styles of glasses before making a purchase.

Considered in this report
• Geography: United Arab Emirates
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report
• United Arab Emirates Eyewear market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type:
• Spectacles
• Sunglasses
• Contact Lenses
• Other Product Type (Eye Care)

By Distribution Channel:
• Hypermarket and Supermarket
• Speciality Stores ( Optical Stores )
• Franchises/ Company outlets
• Online stores
• Others (Hospitals & Clinics)

By Gender:
• Men
• Women
• Unisex
• Kids

By Price Range:
• Premium
• Medium
• Low

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Eyewear industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.