Empowering eyecare professionals for tomorrow’s challenges
EssilorLuxottica is dedicated to standing by its wholesale customers by offering high-quality products, iconic brands as well as cutting-edge solutions and services to help them position their practices for success both now and in the future.
To help independent eyecare professionals (ECPs) drive their practices forward, the Group’s Professional Solutions division further boosted its partnership programs and alliances across the world in 2024.
For instance, globally EssilorLuxottica continued to promote STARS, one of its strategic partnership programs which supports success and transformation for wholesale customers worldwide to unlock their full business potential. In 2024, STARS reached over 16,000 partner stores worldwide, marking a new milestone for the exclusive program. Launched in 2002, STARS helps independent opticians, optical chains, travel retailer operators and e-retailers successfully navigate the dynamic landscape of the modern eyewear industry ensuring long-term success for its wholesale partners. Through STARS, customers stay ahead of market trends, allowing them to be the first to offer new collections, while maximizing sales performance through automatic reordering of top-selling products. The program provides key benefits such as expert product advice, assortment management, stock optimization and targeted initiatives to drive in-store traffic. Additionally, STARS enhances customer engagement by promoting education through a dedicated learning path on Leonardo, so that partners can have access to the latest industry insights.
The Group continued to support its wholesale customers with EssilorLuxottica 360, a full circle partnership program launched in 2021. Targeted at independent ECPs, the program aims at driving growth across the entire practice.
In EMEA, the program now operates across 13 markets and offers an expanded suite of benefits. In 2024, the Group continued to support its partners by providing premium digital screens to animate their window displays with engaging content. During the exclusive Varilux x Persol campaign launch, both digital and in-store communication assets were featured for the first time to enhance the communication outcomes of the Group’s EssilorLuxottica 360 partners. Locally, partners had the chance to experience special initiatives. For instance, in Germany, program members benefitted from hyperlocal marketing support thanks to an innovative on-demand service designed to help opticians execute tailored and geo-localized marketing campaigns with elevated cross-category content. In 2025, several important initiatives are being set for roll-out in the region further underscoring the program’s commitment to empowering opticians with tools and initiatives that drive growth, differentiate their practice and create a positive impact.
In North America, the program benefits were enhanced in 2024 with the expansion of its portfolio with new frames brands, including Jimmy Choo, and unique frame styles from Ray-Ban, to elevate the patient experience. To help build new connections, this year, members were invited to the inaugural Insider Experience showroom event in New York to experience firsthand and receive exclusive training on the Group’s innovations such Ray-Ban I Meta, Essilor Instruments Light Therapy, as well as witness an exclusive demo of Nuance Audio. Additionally, members can earn complimentary passes to the Management Development Program powered by the Group’s innovative learning platform, Leonardo, to further enrich their membership experience.
EssilorLuxottica also offers strong programs dedicated to Lens brands, such as Essilor Experts, a partnership designed to give an edge to independent ECPs by strengthening their expertise in vision health and providing the latest lens technology and resources. The program includes tools and benefits to help attract and engage patients, while optimizing business results.
In EMEA, Essilor Experts is one of the largest programs in the region providing independent ECPs in its approximately 12,000 partner stores in Europe with cutting-edge technology and the latest resources to deliver elevated care. Throughout the year, members in the region received invitations to special events and workshops to imagine the future of eyecare with industry experts, learn about the Group’s latest innovations, and network with the community of fellow Essilor Experts. Essilor Experts partners also continued to have access to a selection of drive-to-store campaigns and communication assets to increase the visibility of their practice while highlighting their vision care expertise.
Additionally, this year Essilor Experts had access to Varilux’s communication campaign focusing on personalization, available exclusively at partner stores. The campaign, which puts a spotlight on Near Vision Behaviour measurement, started in September, with media visibility in France, UK, Spain, Italy and Czech Republic. It also featured in-store activations in exclusivity with partner stores across EMEA.
In North America, EssilorLuxottica leveraged relationships with national media partners to execute highly targeted campaigns which connect potential patients with independent ECPs who may not have been reached previously with a practice’s advertising efforts alone. The Company also enhanced the visibility of Essilor Experts on the Essilor.com locator, ensuring they stand out to prospective patients seeking premium eyecare solutions. Furthermore, in the region, Essilor Experts benefited from Insider Education Workshops and complimentary passes to the Management Development Program on Leonardo to further enhance their knowledge. They were also provided with promotional tools for their digital and social media platforms to better support their daily businesses.
As part of the EssilorLuxottica owned alliances in North America, the Group launched a consumer media campaign for Vision Source, a network of independent optometrists, comprising over 3,000 locally owned practices and 4,500 optometrists. Called ‘Beyond Your Eyes’, it focuses on Vision Source’s commitment to delivering enhanced patient care and building long-term relationships with their patients. In July, 21 Vision Source Administrators travelled to Italy to further the Vision Source partnership by fully immersing them in the Group’s heart and Mission. They experienced the EssilorLuxottica Days event at the Tortona Experience Center in Milan, visited the Group’s factories in Agordo and Sedico, as well as gained insights on the latest innovations.
Throughout the year, the Group’s Professional Solutions division continued to engage the wholesale community at major international trade fairs. These include MIDO in Italy, SILMO in France, China International Import Expo in China, Vision Expo East and Vision Expo West in the US, as well as consumer technology-focused events such as CES and CES on the Hill in North America, and IFA in Germany.
