Loqu Optical Group Gmbh

What Loqu Optical Group Gmbh does

LoQu Optical Group GmbH is a German private limited company (GmbH) headquartered in Bad Kreuznach, founded in 1989, that operates one of the larger multi-brand retail networks in the German optics and hearing-acoustics market. The group operates approximately 98–100 physical retail stores across Germany under three distinct brand concepts: aktivoptik (value-oriented chain located in retail centers and checkout zones), Optikhaus (premium high-street stores carrying designer frames such as Lindberg, Gucci, Ray-Ban, Chanel, Tom Ford and premium hearing aids from Bernafon, Resound, Signia), and smykker eyewear (a vertically integrated own-brand that designs, produces, and sells its own eyewear collections, including a direct-to-consumer online shop with virtual try-on).

The group serves end consumers across the value, mid-market, and luxury segments, offering prescription glasses, frames, contact lenses, hearing aids, and accompanying eye and hearing tests. Technology assets include AI-supported refraction systems for vision consultation, 3D lens centering for precise lens fitting, virtual try-on in the smykker online shop, and a proprietary omnichannel commerce engine connecting stationary retail with digital channels. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time product sales across the three brand tiers; smykker also operates a transparent fixed-price subscription-style promotion ("ONE TWO FREE" — three glasses for the price of two within six months) and frames are included in the base lens price. Headcount is approximately 614 employees; the company is led by Managing Directors Markus Rech (CEO) and Christoph Wein (CFO). LoQu holds no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and operates exclusively in Germany.

Name

Loqu Optical Group Gmbh

Legal name

LoQu Optical Group GmbH

Website

https://loqu.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

LoQu Optical Group GmbH is a German multi-brand optical and hearing-aid retailer operating approximately 100 stores nationwide under aktivoptik (value), Optikhaus (premium), and smykker eyewear (own-brand), serving value-to-luxury consumer segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optical and Hearing Care Retail

NAICS

Optical Goods Retailers (456130)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Optical & Eyewear Store-in-Store (CRAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Optical retail services
• Prescription eyewear sales
• Hearing aid services
• Eye and hearing tests
• Designer eyewear brands

Headquarters

HQ city

Bad Kreuznach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Optical Retail (Glasses and Contact Lenses): Sale of prescription glasses, frames, and contact lenses through retail stores under aktivoptik, Optikhaus, and smykker eyewear brands. Revenue generated from product sales with pricing based on lens type and frame selection.
2. Hearing Aids and Acoustics: Sale and fitting of hearing aids and hearing care products through retail stores, serving customers with hearing loss needs.
3. smykker eyewear Online Shop: Direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales of proprietary smykker eyewear collections including virtual try-on and store pickup options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LoQu Optical Group GmbH is a German multi-brand optical and acoustic retail operator running approximately 100 stores nationwide under three concepts: aktivoptik (value-focused optics and hearing aids), Optikhaus (premium designer eyewear and high-end hearing aids), and smykker eyewear (proprietary in-house designed and produced fashion eyewear). The company sells prescription glasses, frames, contact lenses, and hearing aids, and provides professional eye and hearing tests, refraction, lens fitting, and after-sales service through both physical retail and online channels.

Product overview

LoQu Optical Group GmbH operates a multi-brand portfolio in the optics and hearing acoustics retail sector in Germany. The company encompasses three distinct brands: aktivoptik (budget-friendly retail chain with nationwide presence), Optikhaus (premium concept offering exclusive designer frames and leading hearing aids), and smykker eyewear (vertically integrated own-brand that designs, produces, and sells proprietary eyewear collections with transparent pricing). With approximately 100 stores across Germany, the company provides a seamless omnichannel experience combining physical retail with digital commerce.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• aktivoptik: Budget-friendly optical retail brand offering glasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids with a focus on accessibility and customer proximity in retail centers and checkout zones
• Optikhaus
• smykker eyewear

Products and services

• aktivoptik aktivoptik is a value-oriented optical retail sub-brand offering accessible prescription glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and professional eye/hearing tests at retail-center and high-foot-traffic locations in Germany. Named DtGV test winner for eight consecutive years for service, vision tests, and consulting.
• Optikhaus Optikhaus is a premium optical and hearing care retail sub-brand offering exclusive designer frames (Lindberg, Gucci, Ray-Ban, Chanel, Tom Ford) and high-end hearing aids (Bernafon, Resound, Signia), plus personalized consulting and modern optometric technology for style-conscious customers. Multiple Optikhaus locations have been awarded Top 100 Optiker and Top 100 Akustiker status.
• smykker eyewear smykker eyewear is a vertically integrated in-house eyewear brand that designs, produces, and sells its own eyewear collections. Features transparent fixed pricing per lens type (frame included), a virtual try-on online shop, store pickup, and since 2025 uses sustainable Eastman Renew Acetate materials. Targeted at fashion-forward individualists seeking distinctive styles.
• Hearing Aids and Acoustic Services Sale, fitting, and after-care of hearing aids and acoustic devices offered through aktivoptik and Optikhaus retail stores, serving customers with hearing loss needs. Includes hearing tests and professional audiological consulting.
• Professional Eye and Hearing Tests In-store professional optometric and audiological testing services using AI-supported refraction systems and 3D lens centering technology, provided as part of the consultation and fitting process at aktivoptik, Optikhaus, and smykker eyewear stores.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8 consecutive years DtGV test winner for service, vision tests, and consulting quality
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Eastman Renew AcetatecoreOthers · 1 January 2025Since 2025, smykker eyewear uses Eastman Renew Acetate for its frames - a material made from recycled and renewable raw materials. This innovative material combines highest quality with environmentally conscious design while offering same outstanding optics and durability as conventional acetate with significantly reduced ecological footprint.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Pearle Vision: International optical retail brand operating franchise and corporate stores. Comparable franchise-style optical retail model and multi-tier brand positioning relevant to LoQu's portfolio strategy.
• EssilorLuxottica SA: Global eyewear giant spanning branded frames, lens manufacturing, and retail. Comparable to LoQu as supplier of designer brands carried by Optikhaus and as the broader industry incumbent shaping competitive dynamics.
• Specsavers Optical Group: International optical and hearing-care retail chain with growing German presence. Comparable to LoQu's combined optical-plus-hearing retail model and partnership-style store economics.

Direct peers

• Mister Spex SE: German-headquartered online optical retailer with brick-and-mortar showrooms. Comparable to LoQu's smykker digital channel and overall eyewear assortment; competes directly for the same German consumer base via online-led model.
• Fielmann AG: Germany's largest optical retail chain with hundreds of stores nationwide. Directly comparable to LoQu in store-based optical dispensing, though Fielmann operates a single dominant brand versus LoQu's multi-brand portfolio.
• Apollo-Optik Holding GmbH & Co. KG: Major German optical retail chain with several hundred stores and broad assortment. Closely comparable to aktivoptik and Optikhaus concepts given nationwide footprint and multi-tier positioning.
• brillen.de: German online optical retailer with broad assortment of frames and lenses. Comparable to LoQu's digital commerce motion and competes for the same German online eyewear shopper.
• Eyes + More GmbH: German optical retail chain with own-brand eyewear positioning at accessible price points. Highly comparable to LoQu's smykker and aktivoptik segments, especially on transparent pricing and own-brand strategy.

Regional players

• Synoptik A/S: Leading optical retailer in Scandinavia. Comparable multi-store optical retail operator, though focused on Nordic markets rather than competing directly with LoQu in Germany.

Others

• Rodenstock GmbH: German premium ophthalmic lens manufacturer. Adjacent peer relevant to LoQu's lens supply chain and the technical quality story behind both Optikhaus and aktivoptik dispensing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/loqu-optical-group-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

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 Loqu Optical Group Gmbh