Australian sunglasses retailers face a subdued forecast for the next five years, according to an industry report by IbisWorld.

Bricks and mortar sunglasses sales revenue is expected to rise by just 0.3 per cent in financial year 2014.

The sector had a tough five years and is now due a comparably tough recovery, despite the overall improvement of Australian retail conditions.

Industry revenue is expected to contract by an annualised 0.9 per cent to a total of $306.9 million in the five years through 2013-14.

Luxottica’s Sunglasses Hut remains the major lone player in the bricks and mortar sunglasses sector.

Why was sunglasses retail hit?

Major factors effecting the industry include online shopping, and increased competition on range and price from the major department stores.

IbisWorld also notes that discretionary spend on less essential items, such as eyewear, is continuing to be hit by cautious consumers.

“Consumers [were] cautious with their spending, with many households scaling back expenditure on non-essential, discretionary goods,” says Lauren Magner, industry analyst at IbisWorld.

Eyewear retail is more susceptible to cannibalisation from online compared to clothing or footwear, which come with more considerations of size and fit.

It is also worth noting that fast fashion retailers, such as Sportsgirl, have become more adept at copying designer trend for cheap in the last few years.

Fashion trends have also moved away from major eyewear brands, such as Gucci or Dior, towards more bespoke cult labels, like Oliver Peoples.