Hong Kong International Optical Fair Draws 12,000 Global Buyers as Smart Technology and Sustainability Drive Industry Evolution

The 33rd Hong Kong International Optical Fair concluded successfully, attracting approximately 12,000 buyers from 92 countries and regions who engaged in intensive sourcing and procurement activities. International buyers primarily traveled from the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, India, Japan, Korea, the United States, and ASEAN nations including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, reinforcing the event's position as a critical global business platform for the eyewear industry.

Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), emphasized the fair's role as a premier industry platform that united leading eyewear brands with cutting-edge technologies and environmentally conscious designs. The event featured comprehensive programming including industry seminars, design competitions, and eyewear parades, all designed to foster collaboration and networking within the global optical community.

Under the theme "Bright Eyes • New Horizons," the fair showcased products aligned with four key market trends: smart technology, sustainability, silver healthcare, and functionality combined with design. These focus areas highlighted the industry's significant advancements in technological innovation and sustainable development practices. Exhibitors presented diverse products that successfully merged functionality with aesthetic appeal through the integration of artificial intelligence components and eco-friendly materials, addressing varied market demands while strengthening the industry's international competitiveness.

The prominent Brand Name Gallery featured more than 200 renowned global brands, including Hong Kong's BIG HORN and P+US, France's MINIMA, Germany's STEPPER, Italy's United Colors of Benetton, Japan's Masunaga since 1905 and MATSUDA, Spain's Nano Vista, and the United Kingdom's Ted Baker. New participants included SUEEY.MASADA from the Chinese Mainland, France's JULBO and SABINE BE, Japan's SASAKI and PTOLEMY48, Korea's NIMOME, Switzerland's Collections Marcus Marienfeld, and the United States' THRASHER, all presenting distinctive design concepts.

Exhibitors demonstrated smart products featuring innovative technologies that expand the potential applications of smart glasses in both daily life and professional environments. Shenzhen MUEDO Technology Co., Ltd. from the Chinese Mainland introduced its U10 Dual-Mode Smart Reading Glasses, equipped with auto-focusing lenses and Hi-Fi stereo sound specifically targeting the silver market. Helen Zhuang, Overseas Sales Manager, reported receiving inquiries from buyers in Italy, Germany, the United States, and India, while negotiating a potential collaboration with an Italian buyer valued at approximately US$500,000.

Responding to growing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, numerous eyewear brands launched sustainable glasses manufactured from recycled materials. Hong Kong exhibitor Winky International Limited presented collections of eco-friendly sunglasses and optical frames created from biodegradable materials. Founder and Creative Director Kevin Ching noted that the fair's thematic labels, including the "Green Solutions Suppliers" designation, effectively attracted buyers to their booth to examine products and understand the company's sustainability vision. The company connected with 20 buyers from Indonesia, Vietnam, South Africa, and the Chinese Mainland, including a potential US$1 million order from an Israeli agent representing 260 retail locations.

The fair attracted prominent international buyers including Australia's Mondottica Group representative, Brazil's VISTA IMPORT, leading European industry players such as France's Kering Eyewear Asia-Pacific representative, Germany's Fielmann Group, the United Kingdom's Specsavers Asia representative, India's eyewear giant Lenskart, Indonesia's Grand Optik, Singapore's Capitol Optical, and the United States' Euro Vision International.

Caitlin Northup, Vice President of Operations for United States-based wholesale distributor Eyenavision, stated that attendance at the Optical Fair enabled exploration of new suppliers while strengthening relationships with existing partners. The company met with 20 exhibitors and placed onsite orders totaling US$500,000 with two exhibitors from the Chinese Mainland for lenses.

Spain's Optisero, S.L., a family business with three decades in the optical industry, connected with 20 potential suppliers during the event. Joint Administrator Antonia Rivas confirmed an annual sourcing budget of approximately EUR2 million for suppliers identified at the fair, maintaining their twenty-year tradition of attendance to source optical cases and lenses.

The HKTDC and Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association co-organized "The 25th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition" to promote diversification and internationalization of local eyewear designs. Themed "Blending Tradition and Technology," the competition featured Open and Student groups, with award ceremonies held on the fair's opening day and winning entries displayed throughout the event. Open Group champion "Be With You," designed by Fung Wai-kuen, automatically alerts family members via Bluetooth-connected smartphones when wearers fall or activate emergency buttons, significantly reducing accident risks for elderly users. This design also received the "Made-to-Sell Award." Student Group first-place winner Shum Chui-shan's "Unique Perspectives" incorporated traditional Chinese butterfly symbolism using tie-dye techniques and detachable structures that enhanced three-dimensional effects and functionality.

The fair continued implementing the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model that seamlessly integrates online and offline elements to extend business opportunities. Exhibitors and buyers can connect and schedule meetings through the Click2Match online smart business-matching platform until November 14. During physical events, buyers can utilize the Scan2Match function within the HKTDC Marketplace App to scan exhibitor QR codes, bookmark preferred suppliers, access product details and interactive floor plans, and submit product inquiries, enabling continuous engagement with exhibitors before and after the fair to maintain sourcing momentum.