Warby Parker

What Warby Parker does

Warby Parker is a direct-to-consumer eyewear company founded in 2010 and headquartered at 233 Spring Street in New York. It designs and sells prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses through its e-commerce site, mobile apps, and 337 retail stores across the U.S. and Canada. The company disrupted traditional optical retail with a $95 inclusive price point—frames plus scratch-resistant and anti-reflective lenses—and the Buy a Pair, Give a Pair social impact program, under which it has distributed more than 25 million glasses. Its customer base reached 2.69 million active customers in Q1 2026, with average revenue per customer of $331 (up 6.9% year-over-year), and Q1 2026 revenue was $242.4 million (+8.3% YoY), with FY2026 guidance of $959-976 million.

The product portfolio is anchored by over 257 eyeglass styles and 120 sunglass styles, complemented by 108 contact lens SKUs from major brands, in-store eye exams with licensed optometrists, and integration with major vision insurance carriers (United Healthcare, Spectera, DavisVision, MetLife Vision). Technology features form a meaningful part of the funnel: Virtual Try-On uses camera depth measurement for AR frame placement, Virtual Advisor uses in-house AI to combine quiz and try-on data into personalized recommendations, and Virtual Vision Test enables iPhone-based at-home prescription renewal. The company has recently expanded into two new product lines: Warby Parker Sport (Italian-made performance eyewear launched April 2026) and Intelligent Eyewear (AI-powered smart glasses co-developed with Google and Samsung on Android XR with Gemini AI, launching Fall 2026).

Warby Parker's business model is a unit-priced direct-to-consumer model with omnichannel fulfillment, accepting FSA/HSA and in-network vision insurance to reduce purchase friction. The company went public on the NYSE on September 30, 2021 under ticker WRBY, and was added to the S&P SmallCap 600 in June 2026. Co-founders Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa serve as co-CEOs. FY2025 marked the company's first net-income-positive year ($1.6M), with Q1 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $29.6M (12.2% margin), indicating an inflection from prior operating losses ($115M operating loss in FY2021). Growth is funded primarily by operating cash flow and a $120 million credit facility secured in February 2024 from Citibank and JP Morgan.

Name

Warby Parker

Legal name

Warby Parker Inc.

Website

http://www.warbyparker.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Warby Parker is a direct-to-consumer eyewear retailer selling prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses starting at $95 through its website, mobile apps, and 337 retail stores across the U.S. and Canada, serving 2.69 million active consumers with integrated vision insurance and eye-exam services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Eyewear

NAICS

Optical Goods Retailers (456130), Offices of Optometrists (621320)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Prescription Eyewear Frames (Optical) (CRAAAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sunglasses (Non-Prescription) (CRAAAKAB), Vision Insurance (FSAIAHAB)

Keywords

• Prescription eyewear retail
• Designer eyeglasses
• Sunglasses and contact lenses
• Direct-to-consumer optical
• Performance sports eyewear

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Prescription Eyeglasses: Sale of prescription eyeglasses with lenses starting at $95 including scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings. Additional lens options available at higher price points.
2. Sunglasses: Sale of prescription and non-prescription sunglasses starting at $95 with UV-blocking lenses
3. Contact Lenses: Sale of contact lenses from major brands including Acuvue, Biofinity, Dailies, and Scout by Warby Parker. First-order discounts and annual supply credits offered.
4. Eye Exams: In-store eye exams performed by licensed optometrists at most retail locations
5. Intelligent Eyewear (Upcoming): AI-powered smart glasses line launching Fall 2026 in partnership with Google and Samsung

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Warby Parker designs and sells its own line of prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses direct-to-consumer, with frames starting at $95 including lenses with scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings. It operates an omnichannel model across its e-commerce site, mobile apps, and 337 retail stores in the U.S. and Canada, where it also provides eye exams by licensed optometrists and integrates with major vision insurance networks. Recent product expansion includes Warby Parker Sport performance eyewear and forthcoming Intelligent Eyewear AI-powered smart glasses co-developed with Google and Samsung.

Product overview

Warby Parker is a direct-to-consumer eyewear company offering a unified product portfolio centered on prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses starting at $95 with lenses included. The core offering is complemented by eye exams at retail locations, vision insurance integration with major carriers, and an accessories line. Recent expansion includes Warby Parker Sport (performance eyewear launched April 2026) and Intelligent Eyewear (AI-powered smart glasses developed with Google and Samsung, launching Fall 2026). Technology features include Virtual Try-On (AR-powered face measurement), Virtual Advisor (AI-driven frame recommendations), Virtual Vision Test (prescription renewal app), and a Frames Quiz for personalized shopping. The company operates 337 retail stores across the U.S. and Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Warby Parker Sport: Performance eyewear category launched in April 2026, featuring five flexible nylon frame styles with advanced lens technology available in prescription and non-prescription options, made in Italy
• Intelligent Eyewear

Products and services

• Prescription and Non-Prescription Eyeglasses Designer eyeglass frames with prescription or non-prescription lenses, starting at $95 with polycarbonate lenses, scratch-resistant coating, and anti-reflective coating included; single-vision from $195, progressives from $425, readers from $195.
• Sunglasses UV-blocking sunglasses available in prescription and non-prescription options, starting at $95 including UV-blocking lenses; premium styles such as Natasha and Adair from $145.
• Contact Lenses Contact lenses from all major brands including Acuvue, Biofinity, Dailies, and Precision1, plus Warby Parker's own Scout brand; 108 SKUs with first-order 20% discount and annual supply credits toward glasses/sunglasses.
• Eye Exams Comprehensive eye exams performed by licensed optometrists and ophthalmologists at most retail locations, with appointments available for booking online.
• Warby Parker Sport Performance eyewear sub-brand featuring five Italian-made flexible nylon frame styles with advanced polarized lenses that reduce horizontal glare by up to 55%, available in prescription and non-prescription options starting at $195 for active lifestyle consumers.
• Intelligent Eyewear AI-powered smart glasses developed in partnership with Google and Samsung, built on the Android XR platform with Google Gemini AI; the debut style offers a classic rounded silhouette in ultra-lightweight nylon and provides multimodal AI capabilities for navigation, real-time translation, task management, and communication; scheduled for Fall 2026 launch.
• Aero Series Lightweight eyewear collection featuring ultralight frames designed for comfort and all-day wear, positioned as a premium category within Warby Parker's core eyeglasses line.
• Eyewear Accessories Eyewear accessories including glasses cases, lens cleaners, anti-fog sprays, and gift cards, available online and complementing the core eyewear product lines.

Quantifiable outcome

• Q1 2026 revenue of $242.4 million, up 8.3% year-over-year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• GooglecoreTechnology or Integration · 19 May 2026Warby Parker partnered with Google and Samsung to develop AI-powered Intelligent Eyewear launching Fall 2026. The glasses feature Google's Gemini AI assistant and Android XR operating system, with Warby Parker designing the frames. This represents Warby Parker's entry into the smart/wearable technology category.
• SamsungcoreTechnology or Integration · 19 May 2026Samsung serves as the hardware engineering partner for Warby Parker's Intelligent Eyewear, providing manufacturing expertise for the smart glasses developed on the Android XR platform alongside Google's Gemini AI.
• Gentle MonstercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026Korean luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster co-designed frames for the Android XR smart glasses initiative alongside Warby Parker, bringing fashion credibility to the AI-powered eyewear category in partnership with Google and Samsung.
• XrealsupportingTechnology or Integration · 19 May 2026Xreal is developing Project Aura glasses using Google Android XR, representing an additional hardware partner in the broader Android XR ecosystem alongside Warby Parker's design partnership.
• QualcommsupportingTechnology or Integration · 28 April 2026Qualcomm supplies the Snapdragon AR1 chipset powering the smart glasses, enabling AI processing, camera functionality, and connectivity features in the Android XR eyewear developed with Google, Samsung, and Warby Parker.
• United HealthcarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor vision insurance provider with which Warby Parker is in-network, enabling automatic insurance coverage application at checkout for members.
• MetLife VisioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVision insurance provider in-network with Warby Parker, offering members automatic coverage application and simplified claims processing.
• DavisVisioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVision insurance provider in Warby Parker's network, enabling direct insurance billing and coverage verification for customers.
• SpecteracoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVision care insurance provider partnered with Warby Parker for in-network coverage, offering members reduced out-of-pocket costs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Persol: Premium eyewear brand owned by EssilorLuxottica with strong prescription and sunglasses lines. Comparable to Warby Parker's premium offerings (Aero Series) and performance eyewear category (Warby Parker Sport) at the higher end of the price spectrum.
• Foster Grant: Established mass-market eyewear brand selling non-prescription reading glasses and sunglasses through mass retail channels. Comparable to Warby Parker's OTC and non-prescription product mix at a lower price point and broader retail distribution.
• Ray-Ban (Meta Smart Glasses): Iconic eyewear brand partnered with Meta on AI smart glasses. Direct competitor to Warby Parker's upcoming Intelligent Eyewear line in the emerging AI eyewear category, combining fashion brand equity with technology partnership (Meta AI vs. Warby/Google/Samsung).
• LensCrafters: Owned by EssilorLuxottica, LensCrafters is the largest US optical retail chain offering eye exams, prescription eyewear, and insurance integration. Comparable to Warby Parker's retail footprint and exam-driven model, but operates as a multi-brand incumbent with broader portfolio and brand pricing.
• EssilorLuxottica: Global eyewear conglomerate owning LensCrafters, Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, and a portfolio of luxury brands plus retail chains. Comparable to Warby Parker as a vertically integrated eyewear player spanning product design, manufacturing, and retail, though at vastly larger scale.

Emerging players

• Liingo Eyewear: DTC prescription eyewear startup that was acquired by Johnson & Johnson. Comparable as a digitally native eyewear brand with virtual try-on capabilities targeting a similar value-conscious consumer segment.
• Gentle Monster: Korean luxury eyewear and fashion brand co-designing frames for the Android XR smart glasses initiative alongside Warby Parker. Comparable as a fashion-forward eyewear player entering the smart glasses category through partnerships with Google/Samsung.

Direct peers

• EyeBuyDirect: Online-first prescription eyewear retailer selling frames and lenses at low price points. Directly comparable to Warby Parker's DTC channel with overlapping customer demographics and value proposition around affordable, direct-to-consumer eyewear.
• Zenni Optical: Pure-play DTC online eyewear retailer competing directly with Warby Parker on affordable prescription glasses and sunglasses. Both target price-conscious consumers seeking stylish frames without traditional retail markup, though Zenni focuses exclusively online while Warby Parker is omnichannel.
• GlassesUSA.com: Online optical retailer offering prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses with insurance acceptance. Competes with Warby Parker across both prescription eyewear and contacts, with a similar DTC-plus-insurance value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/warbyparker
• Facebookfacebook.com/warbyparker
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/937112
• Instagraminstagram.com/warby_parker

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds13 records

Investors32 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments9 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Warby Parker