MARKET INSIGHTS 2025

Powered by the largest, most accurate client database in UK optics — compiled over 20+ years and enriched with real-time intelligence from Inspired’s CRM.

CHAPTER 1 – Who You Are & Where You Work

"Before we can talk about trends, we want to get to know you. Where’s home for your business? Who’s on your team? Let’s set the scene before diving into the real market challenges."

Q1. Which best describes your business?

Independent single practice – 42%
Independent multi-branch – 19%
Small group chain (3–10 stores) – 11%
Large national chain (11+ stores) – 15%
Other optical business (lab, domiciliary, manufacturing) – 13%

Q2. Where is your main location based?

North of England – 27%
Midlands – 23%
South of England – 33%
Scotland – 9%
Wales – 5%
Northern Ireland – 3%

Q3. How many staff do you currently employ (including part-time)?

1–5 – 31%
6–10 – 37%
11–20 – 18%
21+ – 14%

Q4. How long has your business been operating?

Less than 2 years – 6%
2–5 years – 14%
6–10 years – 21%
11–20 years – 28%

Inspired Insight:

The UK optical sector is still heavily independent-led, with 61% of employers running single or small multi-site operations. That means recruitment challenges often fall on the owner or manager’s desk — without the support of an HR department. This creates a huge opportunity for Inspired to be that missing HR partner.

Employer Takeaways:

Independents dominate — relationships and personalised service will remain key competitive advantages.
Smaller teams mean hiring mistakes are felt more sharply; recruitment precision matters.
Regional variation matters — job marketing should be tailored to local talent availability.

CHAPTER 2 – Recruitment Patterns & Pressures

"Let’s talk about the last year — and the one ahead. How has hiring been, and what’s keeping you up at night?"

Q5. How many people have you hired in the last 12 months?

None – 8%
1–2 – 36%
3–5 – 29%
6–10 – 15%
11+ – 12%

Q6. How many hires do you expect to make in the next 12 months?

None – 7%
1–2 – 33%
3–5 – 31%
6–10 – 18%
11+ – 11%

Q7. (Inspired) If you could solve one staffing challenge in your business overnight, what would it be?

Finding qualified candidates – 46%
Retaining experienced staff – 28%
Reducing locum costs – 15%
Improving cultural fit – 11%

Q8. (Inspired) When you lose a valued employee, what’s the most common reason they give for leaving?

Better salary elsewhere – 38%
Career progression – 27%
Relocation/personal reasons – 19%
Workplace culture/team issues – 16%

Inspired Insight:

Salary remains the main driver for staff departures, but nearly half of all employers would fix candidate shortages over pay if they had the choice. That means solving the talent pipeline issue could have a bigger retention impact than pay rises alone.

Employer Takeaways:

Retention starts with recruitment — get cultural fit right from day one.
Even small pay gaps can be decisive; know your market rates.
Build an ongoing talent pipeline instead of only recruiting reactively.

CHAPTER 3 – Hardest Roles & Skills Gaps

"Every employer has that one role that takes forever to fill. Let’s pinpoint where the gaps are in UK optics right now."

Q9. (Inspired) Which roles are currently the hardest to recruit for in your business?

Optometrists – 64%
Dispensing Opticians – 48%
Practice Managers – 33%
Optical Assistants – 28%
Lab Technicians – 14%
Other – 6%

Q10. (Inspired) Do you feel your business offers a truly competitive salary for your roles?

Yes – 41%
No – 38%
Unsure – 21%

Q11. What is your current locum usage?

None – 29%
Occasional (cover only) – 41%
Regular (weekly) – 22%
Heavy reliance (multiple days weekly) – 8%

Inspired Insight:

Locum reliance is still significant, with 30% using them weekly or more. This is both a cost pressure and a signal of permanent recruitment struggles — making locum-to-perm conversion strategies a priority for 2025.

Employer Takeaways:

Specialist roles like Optometrists and DOs require proactive, year-round sourcing.
Review locum costs vs. permanent recruitment ROI — it’s often cheaper to secure permanent hires.
Salary competitiveness perception may be hurting your candidate attraction without you realising.

CHAPTER 4 – Pay, Perks & Flexibility

"Beyond salary, what’s on the table for your team — and how does it compare to the rest of the market?"

Q12. Typical salary range for full-time Optometrists in your business:

Under £50k – 8%
£50–55k – 27%
£56–60k – 33%
£61–65k – 21%
£66k+ – 11%

Q13. Do you offer bonuses or performance incentives?

Yes, structured bonus scheme – 29%
Yes, ad-hoc or discretionary – 34%
No – 37%

Q14. What non-salary benefits do you offer?

Paid GOC/CPD – 71%
Staff discounts – 68%
Pension above statutory minimum – 46%
Private healthcare – 24%
Flexible working – 31%
Extra annual leave – 29%
Other – 8%

Q15. (Inspired) What’s the most effective recruitment channel for you right now?

Recruitment agency – 37%
Job boards – 21%
Word of mouth – 18%
Social media – 15%
Internal referrals – 9%

Inspired Insight:

Agencies remain the most effective recruitment source — even in a multi-channel market. Employers who treat agencies as strategic partners, not just CV suppliers, see faster hires and better long-term matches.

Employer Takeaways:

Benefits packages are a key differentiator, especially for DO and OA roles.
Flexibility is increasingly valued — even small changes can boost retention.
Partnering closely with agencies can shorten time-to-hire significantly.

CHAPTER 5 – Working With Agencies & The Future

"We’re curious — how do you see your relationship with agencies, and where do you see the optical profession heading?"

Q16. If you were to improve one thing about the way recruitment agencies work with you, what would it be?

Better candidate quality – 36%
Faster turnaround – 29%
More understanding of culture – 21%
Lower fees – 14%

Q17. How has your hiring pattern changed over the last 3 years?

Hiring more – 23%
Hiring less – 18%
Hiring more temporary/locum – 27%
More cautious and selective – 32%

Q18. How prepared is your business for the future changes in technology and patient expectations?

Very prepared – 18%
Somewhat prepared – 47%
Not very prepared – 27%
Not at all prepared – 8%

Q19. (Inspired) If you could give one piece of advice to the next generation of optical employers, what would it be?

Invest in people – 42%
Stay adaptable – 27%
Embrace tech early – 19%
Don’t neglect culture – 12%

Q20. How optimistic are you about the optical profession over the next 5 years?

Very optimistic – 22%
Somewhat optimistic – 44%
Neutral – 21%
Pessimistic – 10%
Very pessimistic – 3%

Inspired Insight:

Employers are generally positive about the profession’s future, but the readiness gap for technology adoption is clear — nearly 35% admit they are not prepared. This will be a major competitive divider in the coming years.

Employer Takeaways:

Treat agency partnerships as long-term strategic relationships, not one-off transactions.
Technology adoption will be a major competitive edge in the next decade.
Adaptability is becoming just as important as clinical skill in leading a successful optical business.

Be Part of the Most Informed Optical Employers in the UK

You’ve just seen a snapshot of the UK optical employment market, powered by 3,000 employer voices and Inspired’s 20+ years of industry intelligence.
The trends are clear: competition for talent is fierce, retention is under pressure, and technology is reshaping expectations faster than ever.

At Inspired Recruitment, we don’t just fill jobs — we future-proof optical businesses.
Whether you’re an independent practice, a small group, or part of a national chain, we can help you:

Attract the very best talent in the market — even for “impossible to fill” roles.
Retain your team through cultural fit, competitive packages, and long-term engagement strategies.
Reduce reliance on costly locums through smarter workforce planning.
Position your business as an employer of choice in a changing market.

Your Complimentary Recruitment Audit

For a limited time, Inspired is offering a free, no-obligation Recruitment Audit for UK optical employers.
We’ll assess your current hiring strategy, salary competitiveness, and candidate attraction channels — and give you an action plan that you can implement immediately.

✔ Confidential and personalised to your business.
✔ Backed by the largest, most accurate candidate and employer database in UK optics.
✔ Designed to save you time, money, and stress while improving results.

Let’s make your next hire your best hire.

📞 Call Inspired Recruitment: 0121 778 6999
📧 Email: chris@inspiredrecruitment.co.uk
🌐 Visit: www.inspiredselections.co.uk