EssilorLuxottica Sees Smart Glasses Revenue Growth Cool Off

On October 21, 2026, EssilorLuxottica, the parent company behind Ray-Ban, reported a significant deceleration in its smart glasses revenue growth. The wearables segment saw a 20% increase this quarter, a sharp contrast to the nearly 100% growth achieved in the prior period, according to ft.com.

This slowdown in the smart eyewear category was reportedly offset by robust sales in the company's traditional optical and sunglass lines. The ft.com article, written by Silvia Sciorilli Borrelli, highlights how established eyewear products continue to provide stability amidst the fluctuating performance of emerging tech segments.

EssilorLuxottica's chief, Francesco Milleri, has been a vocal proponent of smart glasses, previously stating that wearable devices could eventually displace smartphones, ft.com notes. This long-term vision positions the current quarter's results as a temporary blip rather than a fundamental shift in strategy for the company.

Our take: While a 20% growth rate is still healthy for many industries, for smart glasses, particularly after a near-doubling, it signals a potential plateau or a need for renewed market momentum. This underscores the challenge of scaling novel tech products beyond early adopters. EssilorLuxottica's diversified portfolio provides a crucial buffer, but continued innovation and compelling use cases will be vital for accelerating smart glasses adoption and realizing Milleri's ambitious predictions.