Eyewear and Sustainability: focus on best practices and opportunities in the industry

Sector benchmarking is an essential tool for understanding how a company positions itself in relation to market best practices and emerging challenges, which are increasingly focused on sustainability. Studies and statistics on consumer trends have highlighted, in recent years, a growing attention from users, retailers, and investors towards ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues. This makes transparency, traceability, and social and environmental impact key competitiveness factors. Even in the eyewear industry, competition is also driven by environmental and social responsibility. Companies stand out not only for design and quality but also for their ability to integrate sustainable practices throughout the entire value chain.

An in-depth analysis of ESG performance is essential to map growth opportunities and identify areas for improvement. The goal of this analysis, conducted by our Advisory team, was to examine a sample of representative companies in the sector in order to assess their sustainable practices, comparing them with the most advanced global trends. In this way, we identified strengths, development opportunities, and areas for improvement for those still at the beginning of their journey. This evaluation provides a concrete tool for all sector stakeholders, fostering peer comparison and stimulating a process of continuous improvement, in line with market expectations, emerging regulations, and stakeholder demands.

Methodology

The analyzed sample was selected based on objective criteria, such as market positioning in the eyewear sector, company size, revenue, and national or international presence. The analysis focused on the key ESG parameters, referencing internationally recognized frameworks such as the ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards), which define the reporting standards required by European regulations, with a specific focus on double materiality and data transparency; the SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) framework, which allowed us to identify the most financially relevant ESG topics for the eyewear sector; and the MSCI ESG Industry Materiality Map, a tool that identifies the most relevant ESG topics for each industry sector. These frameworks enabled us to pinpoint the most important topics for the sector and compare them with publicly available information from the companies, seeking concrete evidence of commitment and innovation.

Profile of the analyzed sample

The analyzed sample consists of companies active in the eyewear sector, with a strong presence in Italy and Europe. These are medium-to-large-sized companies that manage a significant share of the market, playing key roles along the production and distribution supply chain.

The composition of the sample was defined to ensure sector representation:

Diversified operating models, including production, assembly, and distribution.
Strong sector specialization, with a focus on quality and design.
Heterogeneous ESG maturity levels, useful for identifying best practices and areas for improvement.

Key Results and Comparison between players

The analysis highlights a convergence in the ESG practices adopted by the companies in the sample, particularly regarding environmental initiatives focused on emissions management and the implementation of circular economy models. The companies within the sample demonstrate a concrete commitment to reducing their environmental impact, through monitoring both direct and indirect emissions and an increasing use of recycled and recyclable materials.

However, transparency is not uniform across the companies: while some communicate clearly and consistently through sustainability reports and environmental statements, others, despite showing commitment to the issue, still lack similarly established communication tools, limiting the visibility of their progress.

Another key aspect concerns governance. Most companies have established committees dedicated to managing ESG issues, but the integration of these committees into business strategies is not always consistent. Companies that have developed an integrated governance model, where environmental, social, and governance policies are directly linked to strategic decision-making processes, tend to achieve superior performance. This is reflected in a greater ability to reduce emissions, improve supply chain traceability, enhance transparency towards stakeholders, and achieve higher ESG ratings or recognition.

Areas for Improvement and Growth Opportunities

Although many of the companies analyzed have already adopted good practices, there are still significant opportunities for improvement. One of the main areas is communication and transparency: some players stand out for regularly publishing detailed ESG reports, including clear goals, results, and performance indicators. Others, however, still lack a structured reporting framework, limiting their ability to effectively communicate progress and increase transparency towards consumers, investors, partner companies, and other relevant stakeholders.

Furthermore, integrating ESG practices into the business strategy is a crucial step in strengthening commitment and generating long-term value.

In addition to communication, a key area is the process of selecting and engaging suppliers: incorporating ESG criteria in supplier selection and engagement can help ensure alignment with corporate policies and promote responsible practices throughout the supply chain, benefiting both the company and its value chain. Companies that actively collaborate with their suppliers to develop responsible practices tend to reduce risks related to the supply chain while simultaneously increasing operational efficiency and resilience.

Conclusions and Future Vision

In summary, the analysis highlighted both the progress made by companies in the sector and the challenges still ahead. Although significant steps have been taken toward integrating sustainability into the business strategies of the major players in the eyewear industry, opportunities for improvement remain, particularly regarding transparency and the integration of ESG practices into corporate culture.

Companies that adopt a strategic and forward-thinking vision, strengthening communication and supplier engagement, will gain an undeniable competitive advantage in an increasingly sustainability-driven market.

The future of the eyewear sector, in terms of sustainability, will be determined by the continuous evolution of business processes, with growing attention to reducing environmental impact, promoting human rights, and ensuring ethical governance. Companies that successfully navigate these challenges will not only have a positive impact on the planet and people but will also solidify their leadership position in the global market.