What Kochoptik AG does

Kochoptik AG is a Swiss premium optician founded in 1909 at Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse and now operating 23 retail stores across German-speaking Switzerland in the Zurich, Basel, Bern, Luzern, Frauenfeld, and Winterthur regions. The company retails prescription frames, prescription lenses, and sunglasses from premium designer brands including Giorgio Armani, Prada, Nirvan Javan, Oliver Peoples, Brunello Cucinelli, and Alain Mikli, with frame pricing spanning approximately CHF 188 to CHF 739. Kochoptik is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary within the EssilorLuxottica group (the world's largest eyewear conglomerate) and shares data-controller status with its Swiss sister entities VisilabGroup AG, Schweizer Optikhandel AG, and Linsenmax AG; the registered address is Industriestrasse 17, CH-4632 Trimbach.

The company's product architecture combines physical retail with a digital layer: in-store appointments, online appointment booking with SMS notifications, a Swiss e-commerce storefront with virtual try-on, and a 24-hour Express lens production service for customized lenses. Kochoptik Eye Care is a 60-minute comprehensive examination service priced at CHF 159, incorporating advanced retinal imaging, intraocular pressure measurement, and the Essilor AVA 5-stage precision refraction technology that enables 0.01 Dioptrien measurement precision versus standard 0.25 increments. The lens technology stack includes Essilor branded progressive and single-vision lenses, Transitions adaptive lenses, and the Vision-R 800 Phoropter for subjective refraction.

Revenue is generated across four streams: (1) one-time designer frame retail sales (CHF 188-739), (2) paid professional eye care and lens-related services, (3) hardware sales of prescription lenses and lens upgrades including Express 24-hour delivery, and (4) insurance-partnered discounts via the Visana health-insurance partnership (in effect since 2011) under which approximately 938,000 insured customers access free annual eye tests, frame discounts of CHF 200-400, and 30% off contact lenses. The customer base consists of premium individual consumers across German-speaking Switzerland, Visana-insured members as a secondary channel, and families with children up to age 14 served through the Junior Club program. Recent 2024 product additions include Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 AI smart glasses, Oakley Meta AI glasses, and Nuance Audio hearing-assistance eyewear, positioning the retailer at the intersection of traditional optometry, smart eyewear, and hearing-assistance devices.

Name

Kochoptik AG

Legal name

Kochoptik AG

Website

https://kochoptik.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kochoptik AG is a Swiss premium optician operating 23 retail stores across German-speaking Switzerland since 1909, selling designer frames (Armani, Prada, Brunello Cucinelli, Oliver Peoples), Essilor prescription lenses, and AI smart glasses under EssilorLuxottica ownership, serving affluent individual consumers, Visana-insured members, and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optical Retail

NAICS

Optical Goods Retailers (45613), Optical Goods Retailers (456130), Offices of Optometrists (62132)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Retail (Glasses/Frames/Lenses) (HLAKAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury & Designer Eyewear (CRAAAKAD), Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA), Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB), Luxury Eyewear (Sunglasses & Optical) (CRAKAFAG)

Keywords

• Premium eyewear retail
• Designer optical frames
• Prescription lens services
• Professional eye examinations
• Smart audio glasses

Headquarters

HQ city

Zurich Bahnhofstrasse

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Eyewear Retail Sales: Revenue from sale of prescription glasses, sunglasses, and frames from premium designer brands including Giorgio Armani, Prada, Nirvan Javan, Oliver Peoples, Brunello Cucinelli, and Alain Mikli. Products include prescription frames with single-vision lenses and progressive/multifocal lenses. Price points range from approximately CHF 249 to CHF 739 for designer frames.
2. Eye Care Services: Comprehensive eye examinations including Kochoptik Eye Care premium service at CHF 159 for a 60-minute comprehensive vision test and preventive screening. Includes advanced retinal imaging, intraocular pressure measurement, and personalized vision reports.
3. Lens Sales and Upgrades: Sales of prescription lenses including Essilor branded products, Transitions adaptive lenses, and lens upgrades. Express service for customized lenses delivered in up to 24 hours.
4. Insurance Partnership Services: Partnership with Visana health insurance providing exclusive benefits to insured customers including free annual eye tests, discounts on glasses (CHF 200-400 depending on lens type), and contact lens discounts (30%).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kochoptik AG operates as a Swiss premium optician retailing designer eyeglasses and sunglasses from brands such as Giorgio Armani, Prada, Nirvan Javan, Oliver Peoples, Brunello Cucinelli, and Alain Mikli, alongside prescription lenses (Essilor, Transitions) and innovative smart wearables including Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses and Nuance Audio hearing glasses. The company also delivers professional eye care services through its Kochoptik Eye Care offering, featuring 0.01 Dioptrien precision refraction testing, retinal imaging, and intraocular pressure measurement. Sales and services are delivered through 23 retail locations across German-speaking Switzerland complemented by an e-commerce website with virtual try-on.

Product overview

Kochoptik AG is a Swiss premium eyewear retailer operating 23 stores across German-speaking Switzerland since 1909, now part of the EssilorLuxottica group. The company offers a unified retail platform combining physical stores with digital services, centered on prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses from luxury brands (Giorgio Armani, Prada, Nirvan Javan, Oliver Peoples, Brunello Cucinelli, Alain Mikli). The core offering includes prescription lenses (Essilor®) and sunglasses, supplemented by innovative AI-powered smart glasses (Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta), hearing assistance eyewear (Nuance Audio), and a comprehensive eye care service (Kochoptik Eye Care) featuring precision 0.01 diopter refraction technology. Digital services include virtual try-on, online appointment booking, and an Express lens service delivering customized lenses in 24 hours.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kochoptik Eye Care: A comprehensive eye examination and preventive care service featuring 0.01 Dioptrien precision refraction technology, retinal imaging, and intraocular pressure measurement, with results reviewed by ophthalmologists.

Products and services

• Kochoptik Eye Care A 60-minute comprehensive eye examination and preventive health check featuring 0.01 Dioptrien precision refraction testing, advanced retinal imaging, intraocular pressure measurement, and a personalized vision report reviewed by ophthalmologists. Offered at CHF 159 per examination to individual consumers seeking thorough vision analysis.
• AI Glasses (Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta) AI-powered smart eyewear with Meta AI integration offering extended battery life, high-quality camera, hands-free calling, real-time translation, and music control without needing a phone. Sold to consumers as a wearable technology product combining vision correction with AI assistance.
• Nuance Audio Glasses Eyeglasses with integrated invisible hearing technology suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss, combining vision correction with audio assistance while keeping the ears free for comfort. Sold to consumers seeking combined vision and hearing support.
• Prescription Lenses (Brillengläser) Custom prescription lenses including Essilor branded lenses, personalized progressive lenses, and Transitions adaptive lenses, with Express service delivering customized lenses in up to 24 hours. Sold to individual consumers as part of their eyewear solution.
• Designer Eyewear (Giorgio Armani, Prada, Nirvan Javan, Oliver Peoples, Brunello Cucinelli, Alain Mikli) Curated premium designer eyeglass and sunglass frames from over 40 brands priced between CHF 188 and CHF 739. Includes prescription glasses, sunglasses, and progressive lens options for individual consumers seeking luxury eyewear.

Quantifiable outcome

• Precision eye testing to 0.01 Dioptrien increments (vs standard 0.25)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• VisanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Since 2011, Kochoptik and Visana have maintained a successful partnership. Visana is one of Switzerland's leading health and accident insurers with approximately 922,149 private and 16,330 corporate customers. The partnership provides Visana insured customers with exclusive benefits including free annual eye tests (CHF 98 value), CHF 200-400 discounts on glasses, CHF 150-250 discounts on lenses, 30% off contact lenses, CHF 100 children's bonus, and 3-year quality guarantee. The partnership aims to deliver tangible value through personalized consultation, precise vision analysis, and high-quality eyewear solutions.
• EssilorLuxotticaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKochoptik is part of EssilorLuxottica, the world's largest company in the eyewear industry, encompassing design, manufacture, and distribution of eyeglass lenses, frames, and sunglasses. Founded in 2018, EssilorLuxottica's mission is to help people worldwide see more and be more by addressing their evolving vision needs and personal style preferences. The partnership provides Kochoptik with access to premium designer brands (Giorgio Armani, Prada, Oliver Peoples, etc.), proprietary eye testing technology (Essilor AVA), and global supply chain advantages.
• Ray-Ban MetacoreTechnology or IntegrationKochoptik offers Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses featuring extended battery life, high-quality camera, Meta AI integration enabling hands-free calling, real-time translation, and music control without requiring a phone. The partnership with Meta provides Kochoptik customers access to cutting-edge smart eyewear technology as part of the EssilorLuxottica-Meta collaboration.
• Nuance AudiocoreTechnology or IntegrationNuance Audio represents an innovative eyewear category featuring invisible hearing technology integrated directly into glasses, suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss. The technology keeps ears free for comfort while providing hearing assistance, representing a convergence of vision and hearing correction in stylish eyewear.
• Essilor (Essilor International)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationEssilor, as part of EssilorLuxottica, provides proprietary eye testing and lens technologies. Kochoptik uses Essilor's AVA precision eye testing technology enabling 0.01 Dioptrien measurement accuracy (vs standard 0.25), the Vision-R 800 Phoropter for subjective refraction, and premium lens designs including Essilor branded progressive and single-vision lenses.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• LensCrafters: EssilorLuxottica-owned global optical retail chain. Operates a similar store-based prescription eyewear and eye examination model at broader scale; a sister-concept under the same parent as Kochoptik.
• Sunglass Hut: Global specialty sunglass retailer owned by EssilorLuxottica. Directly comparable assortment of premium designer sunglasses (including Kochoptik's Giorgio Armani, Prada, and Oakley lines) under the same corporate umbrella.
• Pearle Vision: EssilorLuxottica-affiliated optical retail chain in North America and Europe. Comparable franchise- and company-store optician model offering designer frames, lenses, and eye exams under the same parent ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Apollo-Optik: Major German and Swiss optical retail chain offering prescription eyewear, sunglasses, and eye care services. Directly comparable multi-store optical retail model operating across the same DACH region.
• Fielmann AG: Europe's largest optical retailer, active in Switzerland, offering prescription eyewear, contact lenses, and hearing aids. While more mass-market than Kochoptik, it is the most direct retail optician competitor in the Swiss market.
• VisilabGroup AG: Swiss optical retail group operating Visilab and other optical banners; co-listed alongside Kochoptik within the EssilorLuxottica Swiss group structure (per the privacy policy) and competing in the same Swiss optical retail market with similar premium positioning.
• Linsenmax AG: Swiss optical retailer also part of the EssilorLuxottica Switzerland group per the data privacy policy; directly comparable retail optician model targeting Swiss consumers with prescription eyewear, lenses, and eye examinations.
• Morgenthaler Optik: Swiss premium optician with boutiques in Zurich and other Swiss cities, focusing on designer eyewear and bespoke eye care — directly comparable premium positioning to Kochoptik in the same Swiss market.
• Specsavers: International optical and audiology retailer with Swiss operations, offering eye tests, prescription eyewear, and hearing services; directly comparable retail optician model targeting Swiss consumers.

Regional players

• Optic 2000: French-headquartered optical cooperative with Swiss operations, comparable multi-store retail optician model focused on prescription eyewear and eye examinations across European markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kochoptik-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Kochoptik AG