A world worth seeing 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report - National Vision, Inc.
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
A world worth seeing 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report
OUR MISSION
We help people by making
quality eye care and
eyewear more affordable
and accessible.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 1
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 2
Contents
6 CEO Letter 43 Valuing Our People
8 Year at a Glance 54 Environmental Impact
14 About National Vision 58 Corporate Governance and Ethics
17 Corporate Responsibility at National Vision 64 A World Worth Seeing
23 Our Response to COVID-19 66 SASB Index
27 Societal Impact 69 GRI Content Index
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 3
About this Corporate Responsibility (CR)
is foundational to who we are
as a company and what we
Report care about as individuals. We
are proud of the efforts and
initiatives you will read about
in this report, and we are
dedicated to affecting lasting
and meaningful change. This
report demonstrates our
commitment to increased
transparency and going forward,
we plan to issue an annual
CR Report with updates on
our progress.
This report covers National Vision’s five retail
brands – America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses,
Eyeglass World, Vision Centers inside select
Walmart stores, and Vista Opticals inside
select Fred Meyer stores and on select military
bases – as well as our dedicated e-commerce
business operated by our subsidiary Arlington
Contact Lens, Inc. (AC Lens). “National Vision”
means National Vision Holdings, Inc. and its
consolidated subsidiaries. This report also covers
some activities of 20/20 Quest, a National Vision
sponsored 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. At
times we refer to the collective philanthropy of
National Vision and 20/20 Quest.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 4
Except where otherwise noted, the highlights Forward-looking statements (“SEC”), as well as, with respect to our corporate
and metrics in this report reflect our progress responsibility targets, goals, and commitments
This report contains certain forward-looking
through the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021, outlined in this report or elsewhere and the
statements based on National Vision
and where possible, we provide multiyear data. challenges, risks, uncertainties, factors and
management’s current beliefs, assumptions
All financial information is presented in U.S. assumptions identified in this report. We urge
and expectations. These statements include,
dollars and on a GAAP basis. you to consider all of the risks, uncertainties
but are not limited to, statements related to
and factors identified above or discussed in
The information provided in this report is our corporate responsibility strategy, targets,
such reports carefully in evaluating the forward-
based on the outcomes of our sustainability goals, commitments and programs and other
looking statements in this report. National Vision
materiality assessment, conversations with our business plans, initiatives and objectives. You
cannot assure you that the results reflected or
executive leaders, and multiple stakeholder can identify these forward-looking statements
implied by any forward-looking statement will
engagements. Our reporting is guided by by the use of words such as “aim,” “hope,”
be realized or, even if substantially realized, that
the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board “believes,” “aspires,” “expects,” “potential,”
those results will have the forecasted or expected
(SASB) and the Global Reporting Initiative “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,”
consequences and effects. The forward-looking
(GRI) Standards, knowing these disclosures are “seeks,” “projects,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,”
statements in this report are made as of the
relevant for specific stakeholder audiences. “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version
date of this report, unless otherwise indicated,
We also show how our work contributes to the of these words or other comparable words.
and we undertake no obligation to update
UN Sustainable Development Goals. All such statements are intended to enjoy the
these forward-looking statements, whether as a
protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking
We sought and received external assistance result of new information, future developments
statements within the meaning of Section
from a third party with respect to certain or otherwise, except as required by law.
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
emissions information reported in this report.
amended. Forward-looking statements are
We did not seek or receive external assurance
not guarantees and are subject to various risks
from third parties with respect to other National
and uncertainties, which may cause actual
Vision information presented in this report.
future results (including the achievement of
If you have feedback regarding the information our targets, goals or commitments) to differ
provided in this report or our corporate materially from those projected or implied
responsibility commitments and activities, in forward-looking statements. Such factors
we would like to hear from you. Please send include, but are not limited to, the risk factors
your comments to CorporateResponsibility@ discussed in Item 1A of our most recent Annual
nationalvision.com. Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 5
CEO Letter
National Vision seems to attract highly
responsible and caring people who strive to be
a source of positivity in their workplace, their
community, their country, and the world.
We try to help the world in the ways that we are
most “uniquely qualified.”
This manifests itself in many ways in both our
business and our philanthropic efforts.
Our business inherently provides a social good.
An eye exam is an important part of a person’s
health regime as it not only provides a
prescription to help people see better, but it can
detect hundreds of diseases.
Our various business formulas, combined
with the locations of our stores, provide low
and no cost eye exams to primarily uninsured
Americans living on tight budgets. And the
pricing of our products saves budget conscious
Americans money on a product that they need
to get by in life. In short, we are the low cost
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 6
providers of a medical necessity providing And on a broader national and international capacity, so we have organized this report
affordable access to eye exams, eyeglasses, scale, we have long contributed both financially around these four key areas: Social, Employees,
and contact lenses. and operationally to a wide variety of efforts Environmental and Governance (SEE + G).
And how we do this matters too. We strive to get glasses to those in need throughout While pleased with our accomplishments to date,
to create workplace environments where America and around the world. We have long we feel that we are just getting started as there
responsible caring associates, regardless of been dedicated to and thought leaders in the remains opportunity for impact all around us.
backgrounds or educational attainment, can effort to “eradicate” the problem of lack of
Thank you for the time you are devoting to
have fulfilling “life-giving” careers with more access to eyeglasses for over 1 billion people on
better understand our philosophy, approach,
advancement opportunity for those who seek the planet and thus help everyone in the world
activities, and impact.
it than most other places. A subset of this is be able to see.
We welcome any feedback you might have as to
our long-standing commitment to diversity And this work extends to how we organize
how we can do it even better.
as embodied by the fact that for a while now our operations to give us the best chance
National Vision has been a majority minority for long-term success, including pursuing
company with BIPOC individuals representing excellence in our environmental practices,
the majority of associates. as well as implementing best practices in our
Our success as a business has fueled a variety of company’s governance.
ever more impactful philanthropic initiatives. We frequently talk about “doing work that we
are PROUD to be associated with,” and this Reade Fahs
Beyond the inherent contribution our business
2020 Corporate Responsibility Report is our first Chief Executive Officer
makes in the communities we serve, we also
strive to help people with the greatest needs attempt to lay out in detail all the various ways
in a variety of ways (that this report will detail) that this has manifested itself and the impact
including providing free eye exams and glasses that it has created.
to those for whom even our low cost products These areas are each ripe with opportunities
are unaffordable. for us to pursue our mission at our greatest
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 7
Year at a glance
Introducing our new "SEE+G" corporate responsibility strategy
We are excited to share the focus
areas and highlights from the
“SEE+G” corporate responsibility
strategy we developed in 2020.
The “SEE+G” framework outlines our key
Social Employees
corporate responsibility pillars of social,
employees, environment, and governance, Doing good is inherent in Our people are our
and serves as the foundation of our corporate our business model. greatest asset.
responsibility efforts to ensure we focus on the
areas where we have the greatest opportunity
to create positive impacts in our local and global
communities while we grow a resilient business.
To learn more about our “SEE+G” strategy and
how it was developed, please see the Corporate
Responsibility at National Vision section of
our report.
Environment Governance
We are committed to We earn stakeholder trust
environmental stewardship. by meeting high standards.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 8Societal impact
Maintained low introductory Donated > $2.3 million to Through partnership with
price points to quality eye strategic nonprofit partners VisionSpring, helped launch
care and eyewear: to alleviate the global vision Clear Vision Collective (CVC),
- 2 pairs of eyeglasses crisis an initiative to develop
for $69.95 and a free sustainable model and
comprehensive eye exam infrastructure for global
Provided > 1,900 vouchers to
in America’s Best vision care
people in need of free eye
- 2 pairs eyeglasses for $78 care or eyewear through
in Eyeglass World National Vision Cares Partnered with Black Eyecare
- Glasses from Walmart program Perspective to increase
Vision Centers starting BIPOC representation in the
at $38 field of optometry
Took leadership role in
Coalition for Clear Vision to
help address correctable Sponsored Optical Women’s
vision loss across the globe Association to champion
female representation and
leadership in the optical
industry
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 9Valuing our employees
Provided extended leave Increased amount of
for associates during paid parental leave
COVID-19 for associates Signed CEO Action Pledge
for Diversity & Inclusion™*
Granted > $900,000 to Provided personal finance
associates and doctors in management resource to
need through our Crisis assist all associates with
Relief Fund budgeting and short and
long term savings goals* America’s Best Employers for
Diversity (Forbes)*
Launched new DEI
strategy and goals
America’s Best Employers
for Women (Forbes)*
*Performance highlight from Q1 2021
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 10Environmental Governance and ethics
impact
Completed first GHG Strong supply chain Board Diversity
Inventory management program - 44% female
through Supplier Code - 22% ethnically diverse
of Conduct and Social
Received “Leadership
Compliance Audit Program
in Greener Purchasing”
Recognized by 50/50
award from Office Depot
Women on Boards for our
Established “SEE + G”
gender-balance among the
framework and focus areas
Updated environmental independent directors on
standards for retail our board*
facilities Added oversight
responsibility for
Stockholder approval of
environmental sustainability,
management proposals
social justice, and corporate
to declassify board and
responsibility included in the
removal of supermajority
charter for the Nominating
voting provisions
and Corporate Governance
Committee
*Performance highlight from Q1 2021
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 11By the numbers in FY20
(For Fiscal Year ended January 2, 2021)
More than 12,000 7.9 million 2.4 million free eye exams
associates, and a customers served given as part of the
network of more than America's Best bundled
2,000 optometrists offers
Celebrated 30 years
of business
7 support 57 57 stores opened
facilities
and 1,205 stores
Nearly 200,000 lives
impacted through
philanthropic programs*
$1.712 billion
in net revenue
*Accounts for lives impacted via 20/20 Quest's charitable
programs, National Vision Cares and other voucher
programs, the Made Locally, Given Globally program as
well as PPE donations.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 12Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 13
About
National Vision
Helping people see their best
to live their best.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 14About
National Vision
Who we are Our purpose Our brands
National Vision is the second We help people see their best to live their best We reach patients and customers through a
largest and one of the fastest through our optical products and services. For diverse portfolio of brands and several websites
more than 30 years, we have been improving including the following:
growing optical retail companies
lives by providing eye care for value-seeking and
in the U.S. with over 1,200 stores lower-income consumers.
in 44 states and Puerto Rico.
For so many people, a pair of glasses can
Our Retail Support Center (corporate change their lives, and an eye exam can detect
headquarters) is located in Duluth, Georgia and hundreds of other serious medical conditions.
serves our more than 14,000 associates and Our mission is to help people by making
network of more than 2,200 optometrists quality eye care and eyewear more affordable
(as of September 30, 2021). and accessible. We do this as a business in
the United States, while philanthropically, we
believe it is our responsibility to help bring
sight to the more than 1 billion people around
the world living with vision loss. Our corporate
responsibility strategy highlights the areas of
focus that will enable us to reach as many of
those people as possible.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 15Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 16
Corporate
Responsibility
at National
Vision
Driving progress on the
ESG topics that matter most
for our business.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 17Corporate Responsibility
at National Vision
We are driven by our mission Prioritizing ESG topics
to make eye care and eyewear
more affordable and accessible. In 2020, we conducted a sustainability
materiality assessment to identify the ESG
We believe we can achieve
topics most significant to our business. The
positive societal impact and assessment consisted of the following steps:
business success.
1. Creating a list of important topics specific
While a commitment to social responsibility to National Vision from inputs including
has always been part of who we are, we internal and external stakeholder interviews;
recently developed a formal corporate benchmarking of peer and customer public
responsibility strategy. This strategy covers reporting; research on best practices; and
the environmental, social, and governance expectations of reporting frameworks and
(ESG) topics that help us drive impact while rater and ranker organizations.
also delivering value to our shareholders and 2. Analyzing the topics based on both
customers and creating economic opportunity importance to external stakeholders and
for associates and suppliers. importance to National Vision.
3. Hosting a workshop with key stakeholders
from National Vision to align on the
prioritization of topics.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 18National Vision’s Priority
+ TIER 2 TIER 1 ESG Topics
The outcomes of our corporate responsibility
to Stakeholders
Importance
prioritization assessment are shown in this
matrix. We will manage these priorities,
Product affordability
and accessibility monitor how stakeholders’ expectations
evolve on these topics and make
adjustments as needed.
Employee
diversity,
Data equity and
privacy and inclusion
cybersecurity
Transparency
and disclousure Governance,
Employee
ethics and
wellness,
Philanthropy/ compliance
benefits and
Community giving
development
GHG Product quality and safety
Socially
emissions responsible Product
and energy supply chain impact and
use innovation
Resource use
and waste Social topics
Importance Employee topics
- TIER 3 to Business +
Environment topics
Governance topics
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 19Our "SEE + G" framework
In addition to the topic prioritization
assessment, in early 2021, we performed
Social
a benchmarking exercise and a value Doing good is inherent in our business model.
chain review to build a comprehensive We improve lives every day by providing access to affordable eye care
understanding of our ESG focus areas and eyewear. We help bring the gift of sight to communities and
and establish the pillars of our corporate people in need through our philanthropic partnerships.
responsibility strategy.
From this work, we established our “SEE + G”
framework outlining our key corporate Employees
responsibility pillars of social, employees, Our people are our greatest asset.
environment, and governance. This framework
We invest in programs that support the well-being, development and
will serve as the foundation of our corporate
quality of life of our people. We are committed to fostering a culture
responsibility efforts to ensure we focus on the
of diversity, equity and inclusion.
areas where we have the greatest opportunity
to create positive impacts in our local and global
communities while we grow a resilient business.
Environment
We are also using this framework to We are committed to environmental stewardship.
guide our ESG reporting and disclosure We will run our operations and manage our supply chain in ways that
efforts, driving us to discuss activities in minimize our environmental footprint.
the areas that we know are priorities to
our stakeholders.
Governance
We earn stakeholder trust by meeting high standards.
We adhere to the highest standards and best practices for compliance,
data privacy and cybersecurity, as well as product quality and safety.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 20Organizational National Vision’s accountability structure and responsibilities
structure for corporate Responsibilities of each group are as follows:
responsibility
NOMINATING Review and report on CR performance to the
To help drive progress on our SEE + G focus AND CORPORATE Board, including potential long- and short-term
areas, we developed a corporate responsibility GOVERNANCE BOARD trends and impacts to the Company’s business of
COMMITTEE environmental, social, and governance issues
(CR) organizational structure with executive
leadership starting with the Chief Executive
Officer and oversight coming from the
Nominating and Corporate Governance
CORPORATE
Committee (NGC) of the Board of Directors. Review and approve the vision of the CR program
RESPONSIBILITY
From there, responsibility cascades down STEERING COMMITTEE and the strategy for achieving that vision
through the structure with our CR Steering
Committee, CR Council and a number of working
groups with dedicated strategies. Our General
Counsel serves as executive sponsor of our CR
CORPORATE Develop, refine and recommend the CR strategy,
strategy, chairs the CR Steering Committee, and RESPONSIBILITY executing on the strategy, and overseeing
provides regular updates to the NGC and Board. COUNCIL specific initiatives
The CR Steering Committee is made up of senior
management members and meets several times a
year to discuss initiatives and hear progress reports CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
WORKING GROUPS
from the CR Council. The Council, composed
of leaders from various business departments
including Operations, Finance, Supply Chain,
Merchandising and others, reports to the Steering OPERATIONS- SUPPLY CHAIN/
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABLE
Committee and works on prioritizing ESG issues IMPACTS SOURCING
Implement the CR strategy relevant to their areas
and impact. The Committee improves strategies, of expertise and report on progress regularly to
performance and disclosure and shapes the the council
evolution of our ESG strategy and agenda while
SOCIETAL IMPACT EMPLOYEE/
also providing management and oversight of the (Philanthropy WORKPLACE
& Impact
working groups. Innovation)
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 21Moving forward
We are proud of what we have accomplished
so far regarding the development of our CR
strategy. Moving forward, we plan to finalize a
detailed road map to integrate our new strategy
into our business and ensure ownership
is embedded across the organization. For
each of our strategic focus areas, we will
establish management processes, define
key performance indicators and supporting
metrics, establish data management systems,
and consider appropriate goals to drive
improvements. We are also committed to
disclosing updates each year on our progress,
including in our CR report.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 22Our Response
to COVID-19
Continuing to provide
essential eye care while
protecting associates
and doctors.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 23Our Response
to COVID-19
The onset of the COVID-19 Keeping associates, By early June 2020, in compliance with
pandemic presented a range of state and local protocols, we had safely
challenges that impacted nearly
doctors, customers, reopened all our stores to the public.
every aspect of our personal and and patients safe
professional lives. Every decision we make is guided by what is
To support the gradual reopening of our
facilities we developed safety manuals for
best for the safety of our associates, network
At National Vision, our top priority was finding applicable operations. The manuals outline
of doctors, customers, and patients. In mid-
a way to protect the health and safety of our our best-practice standards and guidelines
March 2020, we decided to temporarily close
associates and network of optometrists while for pandemic-specific topics such as how
our retail locations to the public. Following
also safely addressing the eye care needs of to promote social distancing and cleaning
CDC guidelines, we safely staffed our locked
patients and customers. We closely monitor the tips for disinfecting throughout the day.
stores with minimal teams to address urgent
guidelines established by the U.S. Centers for We continue to update the manuals as our
eye care needs. At that time, we also shifted to
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as collective understanding of the virus and its
a remote work approach for our support teams,
other health entities, including those specific corresponding risks evolve.
where possible. We provided IT equipment
to optometry, and frequently update our safety
and general office resources to associates that
protocols accordingly. We established a Safety
shifted to working from home. To continue
Committee that has met regularly since the
providing for our customers and patients, our
onset of the pandemic to review our approach
labs and distribution centers remained open,
and consider the specific needs and concerns
but at limited capacity.
of our various stakeholders.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 24Providing additional To ensure the financial stability of the company
during the initial economic slowdown created
support for associates by the pandemic, we reduced compensation
OPEN
and doctors across the organization until the second
quarter of 2020. These efforts included a
In addition to safeguarding physical health and voluntary salary reduction by the CEO to only
Safe reopening safety, we provided a variety of financial and $1, voluntary 30 percent salary reductions by
mental health supports. These included: the other executive officers, and a voluntary
National Vision implemented the
election by the Board to forego their cash
following safety protocols to protect • Frequent and transparent communication
compensation for the second quarter. Our CEO
associates, doctors, customers, and from our executive leadership team
returned to a full base salary only after all non-
patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: • Additional leave of absence and paid leave executive employees were back to 100 percent
• Providing personal protective options for those who were uncomfortable compensation. While we were fortunate to
equipment (PPE) or unable to return to in-person work avoid any layoffs, we did have to implement
• Implementing physical distancing • Centralized support to address COVID-19 temporary furloughs for some of our workforce.
questions and concerns, including those We made contributions so that associates and
• Creating and posting educational
regarding the availability of vaccines doctors could retain their healthcare benefits
signage
• Onsite vaccine access for associates at two for the duration of their furlough.
• Requiring masks and making hand
of our corporate support offices
sanitizer available
• One-time appreciation bonuses for
• Purchasing ultra-sonic cleaning
customer-facing associates
machines for eyeglass frames
• Additional company holidays
• Implementing strict disinfectant and
cleaning protocols • Mental health support through our 24/7
Support Network
• Minimizing overall facilities capacity
• Financial support for eligible team
• Applying mandatory temperature
members through the National Vision Crisis
checks
Relief Fund
• Paid short-term incentive cash bonuses at
target level for associates to reward their
dedication and resiliency
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 25Caring for our In 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified
in India, we donated $100,000 to our longtime
communities partner VisionSpring to fund emergency aid
in the country. VisionSpring is leveraging our
Giving back and caring for those in need is part
donation to provide PPE for frontline workers,
of our company culture, and we came together
including N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves,
as an organization to support our communities
coveralls, and other essential supplies to a
in the face of the pandemic. In 2020, National
network of 400 hospitals, vision centers, and
Vision team members and our Board of
non-governmental organizations. Funds will
Directors donated more than $240,000 to
also support a special procurement of oxygen
National Vision’s Crisis Relief Fund, which helps
concentrators, which extract oxygen from the
associates and optometrists facing financial
air for immediate patient intake; the delivery of
hardship. To provide additional support through
hand washing stations in health facilities; the
the pandemic, we offered an opportunity
distribution of cloth masks and hygiene kits to
for associates and doctors to amplify their
low-income communities; and the organization
donations by matching their giving dollar for
of a campaign to help individuals in vulnerable
dollar. Since January of 2020, the Fund has
groups in India register for vaccination.
granted more than $900,000 to associates and
We continue to be guided by a safety-first
doctors in need. For more information on the
approach for associates, doctors, customers, and
National Vision Crisis Relief Fund, please see the
patients as we navigate the ongoing COVID-19
Caring for Associates section of this report. Also,
pandemic and its corresponding risks.
as personal protective equipment was in short
supply for frontline health care workers, we
donated 40,000 respiratory and surgical masks In 2020, National As personal
to first responders. Vision team protective
members and our equipment was in
Board of Directors short supply for
donated more frontline health
than $240,000 to care workers, we
National Vision’s donated 40,000
Crisis Relief Fund. respiratory and
surgical masks to
first responders.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 26Societal
Impact
Providing eye care
and eyewear that is
accessible and affordable.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 2728
“At National Vision,
we have long thought
Societal
it is incumbent on
every company and
Impact
organization to
consciously consider the
question, in what
way are we uniquely
qualified to contribute
to the greater good
of the world?”
Reade Fahs, CEO Affordability
and accessibility
At National Vision, the very core of our business
is helping people by providing eye care and
eyewear that is accessible and affordable to
all Americans. This mission drives everything
we do, and we take pride in offering value-
seeking and low-income customers access to
high quality eye exams, and a great selection of
high quality frames, lenses and contact lenses.
We also take pride in providing customers and
patients with a high level of service and care
when they visit our stores, interact with an
associate, or see an optometrist practicing in
one of our locations.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 28Quality products Examples include: • We vertically integrate our centralized lab
and distribution network with our stores.
• The footprint of our retail stores is light. We
at low prices keep our stores small relative to other retail Our centralized lab and distribution center
spaces and we incorporate highly efficient locations house our frame inventory and
Our low-cost operating model enables us to
lighting and heating and cooling systems to allow us to efficiently and effectively move
deliver exceptional value and convenience to our
keep operating costs down. inventory to different retail locations based
customers while maintaining one of the lowest
on demand.
price points in the industry and a wide selection • We do business with fewer, larger
vendors. This helps us establish long-term • We protect our low-cost price point. We
of high quality, affordable products. We build
relationships with suppliers whose values have not increased our primary offers of
patient and customer trust by providing them
align with ours and allows us to maintain two pairs for $69.95 in America’s Best or two
with eye care and eyewear so that they can see
our low-cost profile. pairs for $78 in Eyeglass World in more than
their best to live their best life. That means we
10 years. Customers can also get high quality
help customers and patients keep their eyes • We make investments in equipment
eyewear at one of our Walmart Vision Center
healthy, and we offer stylish glasses and contacts and technologies to provide quality care
locations starting at only $38.
at an affordable price. efficiently and that enable our labs to
We consider our mission of providing high- run more cost-effectively. We are always
looking for ways to increase efficiencies and
In addition to the efforts above, through
quality and low-cost eye care and eyewear in
decisions we make across our business. increase access to eye care and eyewear our philanthropic efforts, we help
for more people, and that means staying underserved populations and those
abreast of the latest technologies in both without financial means to see better by
optometric equipment and lab equipment. providing vouchers for free eye exams
In 2020, we completed the roll out of retinal
and eyeglasses. For more information
cameras in America’s Best stores across the
about our philanthropic programs,
U.S., increasing the quality and efficiency
of exams. We also added more automation
please see the Serving Unmet Needs
in labs to drive continual improvement section of this report.
in production per square foot with more
efficient machinery.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 29Leaving no one behind Ensuring product safety private label products from vendors that share
our values and standards regarding human rights,
We believe that everyone should be able to and quality environmental responsibility, and ethics. Our social
get the eye care and eyewear they need, no compliance audit process assesses the health and
The optical industry is highly regulated in the
matter their budget or where they live. In 2019, safety practices in place at select vendors’ facilities,
United States. Frames or lenses sold in our
we began testing remote optometry offerings and monitors practices across our factory network.
stores must meet national and state standards
in select locations to provide increased access Additionally, National Vision supports the goal
for quality, durability, health, and safety. We also
to care for customers, which we continued of ending violence, human rights violations, and
use a company-wide set of quality standards
throughout 2020. environmental devastation through adhering to a
to guide the development of our products, and
strict Conflict Minerals policy.
often, these quality standards exceed what is
We are continuing our efforts to test required by law. We communicate all quality
and expand remote optometry offerings standards to our vendors, and each vendor we Taking pride in high
to increase access to care for patients as partner with must pass an annual audit with an
well as expand the capacity to serve external third party to demonstrate they meet standards of care
more people in need. our quality standards. and service
Our quality audit process includes product
We are proud of the customer service and
testing for nickel and lead release, and we also
patient care we provide, and we strive to
put additional safeguards in place to protect
constantly improve our offerings. Programs
the health of our customers, including regular
in place to drive improvements include
testing for nickel and lead in our frames before
our optometrist peer review process, our
we include them in our inventory. National
Clinical Advisory Panel, and our customer
Vision also makes every effort to purchase
service training.
products from suppliers that do not contain
known hazardous materials, and all products are
appropriately labeled with warnings as required Peer review process
by law, such as California’s Safe Drinking Water Optometrists practicing in the National Vision
and Toxic Enforcement Act (also referred to as network are required by their respective
Proposition 65). employers to adhere to their relevant state board
National Vision is also dedicated to sourcing all regulations and maintain the required licensing
components and materials used to produce our and credentialing. In collaboration with the
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 30various practices, we have also established a them. The Symposium includes 22 hours of We have set up multiple listening posts
peer review process above and beyond what is COPE-approved CE over a three-day period at key points in the customer journey to
required by law, to hold doctors to a consistent as well as an opportunity for doctors to hear better understand how our customers feel
and high standard of accountability. Area doctors business updates and network with peers and about their experience with our brands. We
annually assess the doctors practicing within company leadership. While traditionally held measure our net promoter score as well as
their region. These assessments include chart in-person, in 2020, these meetings were held customer satisfaction across various customer
audits and observation sessions to ensure that virtually, and in 2021, we hosted three separate touchpoints to ensure that we are delivering
doctors in our network are providing quality care regional events with both virtual and in-person a high-quality experience that will foster new
to all patients. attendance options. customer acquisition as well as retention. We
also regularly monitor and respond to customer
Clinical Advisory Panel Customer service training inquiries on our brand social media accounts.
To keep National Vision up to date on the Our associates are also an important part of a To manage calls that come into the National
newest innovations in the optometry space, person’s experience at all National Vision stores. Vision Customer Care Center, we have a
we have a Clinical Advisory Panel comprised of As part of the onboarding process, associates customer service ticketing system that
10 doctors who evaluate all potential products, must complete a training course on customer segments incoming customer inquiries to allow
examination equipment, and clinical operating service, and we introduce new learning for greater efficiency in our response efforts. In
procedures before they are deployed to the offerings each year focused on customer service 2020, to better manage the increased number
optometry offices in our locations. Members and other topics of emerging importance. of inquiries related to COVID-19, we created a
of the Panel serve for one year and any Health and Safety response team dedicated
to answering customer inquiries, freeing up
optometrist practicing in the National Vision Listening to our customers
network may apply. Serving on the Clinical store teams to respond to in-person customer
We want to create experiences where each needs. Additionally, we updated our Customer
Advisory Panel helps doctors in our network
customer feels genuinely cared for across Service phone queues with brand identifying
build leadership skills and contribute positively
National Vision locations. We work hard to information to improve response times.
to the patient experience.
make available the training, information, and
tools needed to provide exceptional customer
Continuing education service. Because we have high expectations
Each year, we hold a Continuing Education (CE) in this area, it is critical that we continually
Symposium for full-time optometrists practicing monitor how satisfied our customers are with
in the National Vision Doctor of Optometry their experience.
network, where they have the opportunity to
earn all required CE at one time for no cost to
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 31Serving unmet needs We believe that lack of access to vision
care is an equity issue as much as it is a
Inherent in the National Vision business model healthcare issue, and our ambition is to
is the desire and imperative to help people
serve these unmet needs and ensure that
see. We believe that we have a responsibility to
no one is left behind. We aim to double
help solve the world’s vision crisis by expanding
access to affordable eye care for underserved our philanthropic contributions, and
people and providing free eye care to those who our reach in terms of lives impacted,
need it most, both in the U.S. and abroad. in just two years.
In 2020, we strengthened our commitment to
this effort by developing a strategy that will help
us scale our positive impacts and support the
creation of the infrastructure needed to treat
people with vision loss in areas where it does
not exist. We are expanding our impact in the
U.S. through our National Vision Cares program
and through collaboration with RestoringVision
and Americares. Globally, we are expanding
our impact through strategic partnerships with
organizations like the International Agency for
the Prevention of Blindness, VisionSpring and
the Clear Vision Collective.
Addressing eye health challenges is also a
critical component of making progress on the
United Nations SDGs.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 32The Global Vision Crisis At-a-Glance*
WHO WHY DOES
IS IMPACTED? IT MATTER?
1.1 billion people globally Vision loss increases the risk 1. Burton, M., Ramke, J., Marques, A., Bourne, R., Congdon, N.,
Jones, I. et al. Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye
live with vision loss 3 of premature mortality 2 Health: Vision Beyond 2020. The Lancet Global Health (2021)
2. Ehrlich, J. R. et al. Association between vision impairment
90% of vision loss is Vision loss causes $410.7 and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The
preventable or treatable 3 billion in lost productivity Lancet Global Health (2021)
annually 1 3. Bourne R, Steinmetz J, Flaxman S, et al., Trends in prevalence
In the U.S., 16 million of blindness and distance and near vision impairment over
people have vision loss 3, 4 Children with vision 30 years: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study.
Lancet Glob Health. 2020. Accessed via the IAPB Vision Atlas
impairment have poorer https://www.iapb.org/learn/vision-atlas.
educational outcomes 1
4. Adelson, J., Bourne, R. R. A., Briant, P. S., Flaxman, S., Taylor, H.,
Jonas, J. B., et al., Causes of blindness and vision impairment
Poor vision contributes in 2020 and trends over 30 years, and prevalence of avoidable
to inequalities 1 blindness in relation to VISION 2020: the Right to Sight:
an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. Lancet
Global Health. 2020. Accessed via the IAPB Vision Atlas
*Sourced from IAPB’s Vision Atlas https://www.iapb.org/learn/vision-atlas.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 33Alignment with
the United Nations
Sustainable
Development Goals
The United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, as part of
its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
These SDGs are a universal call to action to end
poverty, protect the planet and improve the
lives and prospects of everyone around the
globe. We support this call to action and see
close alignment of many of our activities.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 34SDG TARGET NATIONAL VISION ACTION/INITIATIVE
3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, • Business model of providing access to affordable products and services
including financial risk protection, • Made Locally, Given Globally program in partnership with
access to quality essential health- RestoringVision
care services and access to safe,
• Service and donations provided through National Vision Cares Program
effective, quality and affordable
Ensure healthy essential medicines and vaccines • Partnership with RestoringVision and Americares
lives and promote for all • Sponsorship of Prevent Blindness Georgia
well-being for all • Robust health benefits, including physical, financial, and mental health
at all ages • National Vision Crisis Relief Fund
• National Vision Support Network
3.D: Strengthen the capacity of • Advocacy work and leadership through membership in the
all countries, in particular International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)
developing countries, for early • Partnership with RestoringVision
warning, risk reduction and
• Partnership and governance efforts with VisionSpring and the Clear
management of national and
Vision Collective
global health risks
• Member of EYElliance
• Support of VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity)
International and SVOSH (Student VOSH)
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 35SDG TARGET NATIONAL VISION ACTION/INITIATIVE
5.4 Recognize and value unpaid • Increased amount of paid parental leave for associates*
care and domestic work through • Provided extended leave for associates during COVID-19
the provision of public services,
infrastructure and social protection
policies and the promotion of
Achieve gender shared responsibility within the
equality and empower household and the family as
all women and girls nationally appropriate
5.5 Ensure women’s full and • Launched new DEI Strategy, including goals to increase representation
effective participation and equal of women at leadership levels
opportunities for leadership at • Sponsorship of, and engagement in, Optical Women’s Association
all levels of decision-making in
• Signatory to CEO Action Pledge for Diversity & Inclusion™*
political, economic and public life
• America’s Best Employers for Diversity (Forbes)*
• America’s Best Employers for Women (Forbes)*
• Award from 50/50 Women on Board for gender balance on Board
of Directors*
*Highlight from 2021
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 36SDG TARGET NATIONAL VISION ACTION/INITIATIVE
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and • Launched new DEI Strategy, including goals to increase representation
productive employment and of minorities at leadership levels
decent work for all women and • Sponsorship of ABO and NCLE professional certification for associates
men, including for young people
• Training Store Manager program
and persons with disabilities, and
Promote sustained, equal pay for work of equal value • OD Tuition Reimbursement program
inclusive and • Sponsorship of Black Eyecare Perspective program
sustainable • Sponsorship of Salus University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry
economic growth, Summer Enrichment program
full and productive • Scholarships for BIPOC optometrists
employment and • Allyship training for all National Vision Vice Presidents and above
decent work for all
8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce • Sponsorship of Prevent Blindness Georgia, including screening
the proportion of youth not in programs for children ages 3-5 in select daycares and schools
employment, education or training • Through our America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses brand, we partnered
with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) between 2016 and 2019
to provide vision services to underserved youth across the country
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 37Improving vision within the U.S.
Collaborating with partners to
meet the needs of underserved
populations around the globe
Increasing our ambition:
2020 Highlights
Working with partners in the
National Vision’s philanthropic
optical ecosystem to create
efforts focus on three strategic
areas which contribute to our broadscale, sustainable
overarching impact strategy solutions for care and access
around the world
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 38Since launching National Vision Cares in
2019, we have provided more than 11,000
vouchers to people in need, and our goal
is to help more than 25,000 people per
year through this program.
National Focus RestoringVision and Americares state. Since 2010, we have donated more than
$500,000 to this program, which has helped
Millions of people in the U.S. lack healthcare
In the U.S., we activate our mission to help approximately 42,000 people to see better.
and are under-insured. In 2021, through our
people through our National Vision Cares Prevent Blindness Georgia directly serves
long-time partnership with RestoringVision,
Program, a partnership with RestoringVision our community through initiatives such as a
we launched a new collaboration with
and Americares, and supporting community mobile clinic that offers free eye exams and
Americares to provide support to people who
partners in hyper-local efforts targeting specific low-cost eyeglasses to uninsured or low-income
are significantly below the poverty line. Those in
populations with higher needs. adults living at shelters and senior centers, and
need can visit any of the nearly 1,000 Americares
running screening programs for children ages
clinics and health centers across the U.S. and
three to five in daycares and schools across the
National Vision Cares Program receive free glasses along with many other
state. We continue to look for similar hyper-local
Through our domestic National Vision Cares health offerings provided by Americares and its
initiatives where we can make a difference.
program, we empower doctors and associates partners. Our goal for this program is to help
to support people in need in their local 500,000 of our country’s most vulnerable to see
communities. Each month, we provide stores better by 2023.
with vouchers for a free eye exam and pair
of glasses to give to patients, customers, or Preve nt Blindness Georgia
individuals in the community in need of vision In addition to our contributions to the national
care and who do not have vision insurance Prevent Blindness organization, National Vision
or participate in governmental healthcare has long been the largest corporate sponsor
programs. Stores are encouraged to reach out of Prevent Blindness Georgia, an organization
to local organizations, schools, and other entities targeting vision improvement across the
to help identify people that need assistance.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 39“We are incredibly grateful for
National Vision’s ongoing support
of our work and care for the people
we serve. We are honored to be one
of your longest and most successful
global non-profit partners. We look
forward to continuing our work
together to create a world where
everyone who needs glasses has
them, especially for those who
live in impoverished communities
without available, affordable access
to this life-changing and vision-
saving tool.”
Pelin Munis,
Executive Director, RestoringVision
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 40Global Focus VisionSpring Coalition for Clear Vision, including our Senior
Vice President Jacqueline Grove serving as
Through a partnership with VisionSpring,
We are proud of our long-lasting relationships interim executive director. The ambition of
National Vision helped launch the Clear Vision
with several international organizations that the Coalition is to catalyze and leverage the
Collective (CVC), an initiative to bring together
share our values, ambitions, and commitment strength of industry and NGOs to deliver new
committed parties across the optical industry
to doing more than just giving money. market strategies and effective delivery models
to set up a sustainable model for vision care.
that support and enable equitable access
The CVC focuses on vision care in Bangladesh,
to essential vision services in low-income
RestoringVision and through the pandemic, CVC continued
countries, where the need is greatest.
Since 2007, National Vision has partnered to provide COVID-safe vision screenings and
with RestoringVision to advance its mission to distribute eyeglasses to those in need in
empower lives by restoring vision for millions rural communities.
of people in need. We have made significant
and consistent contributions through several International Agency for the
philanthropic programs including mission trips, Prevention of Blindness
employee giving, glasses sponsorships, and in-
National Vision is an active supporter of the
kind donations of glasses. We have also played
global eye health agenda through membership
a vital role in helping the organization build
in the International Agency for the Prevention
a sustainable supply chain and set strategic
of Blindness (IAPB). At the end of 2020, we
priorities through our participation on the During our
made the decision to significantly enhance our
RestoringVision Board, including our Senior Vice partnership with
engagement and leadership role within the
President Kevin Hassey joining in 2020 as Chair RestoringVision,
global network and through this partnership,
of the Board of Directors.
we support important global advocacy work National Vision
During our partnership with RestoringVision, linked to a World Health Assembly Resolution has directly helped
National Vision has and directly helped more – including the setting of targets for refractive
more than 800,000
than 800,000 people living in poverty across people living in
error and supporting efforts that resulted in the
the globe to see clearly and protect their sight
poverty across the
first ever vision resolution at the United Nations
globe to see clearly
through an eyeglasses delivery program. passing in 2021.
and protect their
Additionally, we have taken an active sight through an
leadership role in a new IAPB global coalition eyeglasses delivery
for addressing correctable vision loss, the program.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 41Total giving in 2020 In 2020, National Vision contributed more than $2 million to community partners
and nonprofit organizations, doubling our philanthropic giving from 2019.
It is our goal to annually increase our giving, reach, and impact.
2020
2020
2019
197,650
163,415
2019 $2,344,903
$1,033,751
DONATIONS LIVES IMPACTED*
* Accounts for lives impacted via 20/20 Quest's charitable programs, National Vision
Cares and other voucher programs, the Made Locally, Given Globally program as
well as PPE donations in 2020.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 42Valuing
Our People
We recognize
our people are
our greatest asset.
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 43Valuing
Our People
National Vision is a people- Caring for associates with budgeting and spending habits, short-
and long-term savings goals, student loan
focused organization. We want
We take pride in providing a robust benefits and management, and retirement planning.
to ensure National Vision is a
comprehensive wellness program designed to In 2019, we implemented a robust Employee
place people can build fulfilling
keep our associates, and their families, healthy, Assistance Program, referred to as our Support
careers and know they will be safe, and secure. Our Benefits team works hard Network. The program is free for National Vision
taken care of. The hard work and to create offerings that meet the needs of our associates and their families and is administered
dedication of each associate and associates throughout their careers and gathers by a third-party provider that helps connect
doctor practicing in our network feedback regularly through benefits surveys to associates with confidential support for
makes it possible for National ensure our offerings align with their priorities. everyday obstacles. Available resources offered
Vision to care for customers and We take a comprehensive approach when 365 days a year include short-term counseling,
legal services, expert referrals, financial services,
patients. In appreciation, we developing our benefits plans, considering
the physical, mental, emotional, and financial and technology resources.
invest in programs that support
wellbeing of our associates and their families. The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique
the wellbeing, development,
In direct response to feedback collected in obstacles that challenged our associates and
and quality of life of associates
the 2020 benefits survey, in early 2021 we network of doctors in their home and work
and affiliated doctors. lives. From the early days of the pandemic, we
introduced an enhanced parental leave policy
and increased our communication efforts implemented frequent touchpoints with our
related to mental health. We also developed a associates and affiliated doctors to understand
personal finance management resource, which what support they need most. In 2020, we
launched early in 2021, to support associates responded to associate feedback by introducing
Societal Impact Valuing Our People Environmental Impact Governance and Ethics 44You can also read
