EssilorLuxottica Profit Rises 15% on AI Glasses Demand

Franco-Italian eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica reported a 15% rise in first-half profit, beating market expectations, according to the Business of Fashion. Revenue growth was driven by strong demand for AI-enabled glasses and myopia-control products.

The company, which has significant operations in Milan and the wider Lombardy region, benefited from accelerating adoption of smart eyewear technologies and children's myopia management lenses. The results underscore the region's role in high-value, tech-driven manufacturing.

EssilorLuxottica was formed in 2018 from the merger of Italian eyewear giant Luxottica and French lens manufacturer Essilor. Its Milan base houses design, R&D and distribution operations that employ thousands, making it one of the most important industrial employers in Lombardy.

According to the Business of Fashion, first-half net profit rose to €1.8 billion, above analyst estimates of €1.6 billion. Revenue increased 8% year-on-year to €13.5 billion, with the strongest growth coming from Asia-Pacific. The company attributed the performance to 'strong momentum' across both prescription lenses and sunglasses, with AI-enabled frames emerging as a key growth driver.

The results arrive as the luxury goods sector braces for a critical earnings week. EssilorLuxottica's performance is seen as a bellwether for the broader optical and luxury accessories market, given its dual footprint in healthcare-grade lenses and fashion-forward frames.

For Lombardy, the earnings provide a positive signal after a period of softening demand from Germany and headwinds in automotive manufacturing. The company's continued investment in its Milan operations—including a new R&D centre for smart eyewear announced earlier this year—reinforces the region's position in precision optics and wearable technology.

The Franco-Italian group also owns retail chains Sunglass Hut and Ray-Ban, and has been expanding its digital and direct-to-consumer channels. Analysts cited by the BoF expect the trend toward myopia management and AI-assisted vision to sustain demand through 2027, offering Lombardy's supply chain a stable growth base.