To effectively manage eyeglass frame inventory, it’s crucial to understand how frame brand preferences vary by gender and region. By analyzing sales patterns, businesses can ensure they are stocking the right mix of brands to meet patient demand without overextending their inventory.

In a study on frame brand sales across the U.S., we examined brand preferences through gender and regional lenses, revealing insights into how many different brands are being purchased by male and female patients. This allows eyecare businesses to make more informed decisions about how many brands to carry and where to focus their offerings.

OVERALL FINDINGS BY GENDER

Across all regions, the data shows that females tend to purchase a broader range of frame brands than males. On average, 46.2 distinct brands were sold to females, while 37.0 brands were sold to males. However, the overlap between the brands purchased by both genders is significant, meaning many brands resonate with both male and female patients.

This overlap suggests that although females buy from a wider pool of brands, practices do not need to drastically expand their inventory to cater to both groups. Instead, they can focus on a core set of brands that appeal to both genders, with a smaller selection of gender-specific lines to satisfy broader female preferences.

OVERALL FINDINGS BY CENSUS DIVISION

Without considering gender, the East North Central (E N Central) division has the highest average count of distinct brands sold, at 59.6. The Pacific division has the lowest average at 45.2.

DETAILED FINDINGS BY GENDER AND CENSUS DIVISION

• East North Central (E N Central):
  Female brand count is 48.6, male brand count is 38.9, and the overall brand count is 59.6. The combined total of 87.5 (F + M) shows a strong overlap, as the overall count is much lower than the combined figure. While female patients show preferences for around 10 more brands than male patients, the overlap suggests that many brands appeal to both genders.

• East South Central (E S Central):
  Females purchase from 48.9 brands on average, males from 38.7, with an overall count of 59.1. The combined F + M total is 87.6. As in other regions, the overlap in brand choices is substantial, indicating that many brands are shared between genders despite females having a broader overall preference.

• Mid Atlantic:
  Female brand count is 44.9, male brand count is 35.9, and the overall brand count is 55.2. The combined total of 80.8 highlights that a significant portion of brands is common across both genders, with females showing a slightly broader range of preferences.

• Mountain:
  Female brand count is 47.6, male brand count is 38.3, and the overall brand count is 56.6. The combined total of 85.9 shows that many brands overlap, even though female patients account for a wider selection by about 9 brands.

• New England:
  Females account for 45 brands, males for 35.6, and the overall brand count is 54.2. The combined total of 80.6 demonstrates a considerable overlap in the brands sold to both genders.

• Pacific:
  Female brand count is 38.2, male count is 31.5, and the overall count is 45.1. The combined total of 69.7 again reveals strong overlap, though the gender difference is narrower in this division, with females preferring about 7 more brands than males.

• West North Central (W N Central):
  Female brand count is 48.5, male brand count is 38.7, and the overall count is 59.1. The combined total of 87.2 shows strong overlap, with females having a broader preference by about 10 brands.

• West South Central (W S Central):
  Female brand count is 49.3, male count is 39.9, and the overall brand count is 58.6. The combined total of 89.2 indicates that although females prefer a slightly wider range of brands, many are shared with males.

KEY TAKEAWAYS ON BRAND PREFERENCE OVERLAP

Across all regions, the data shows that female patients tend to purchase from a broader selection of frame brands than male patients, typically by 7 to 10 brands. However, the overlap in the brands purchased by both genders is consistently high, suggesting that eyecare practices can focus on carrying a core set of popular brands that appeal to both male and female patients. This overlap provides flexibility for businesses to streamline inventory management without sacrificing variety, while still adding a few gender-specific options where necessary.

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