On February 1, 2026, MIDO celebrates the global avant-garde of eyewear through its MIDO Awards. Three major distinctions — Best Store Design, Best Store Innovation, and the CSE Award — highlight the most forward-thinking approaches in design, customer experience, and sustainability across the optical sector.
What do the MIDO Awards 2026 actually celebrate?
The MIDO Awards aren’t about praising “nice” projects — they recognize meaningful decisions that are actively shaping the future of the eyewear industry. Bold design, responsible practices, and reimagined retail concepts: each winner embodies a model of excellence in their field. It’s a snapshot of what’s most inspiring in optics right now.
Why has the Best Store Award become a benchmark in the industry?
Launched eleven years ago, the Best Store Award is now a key reference point for retail professionals in eyewear. It honors spaces that go beyond aesthetics to deliver authentic customer experiences. The award is split into two categories: Design (focusing on layout and visual identity) and Innovation (focusing on service, storytelling, and digital integration). In both, the human dimension remains central.
What defines a truly innovative optical store?
At MIDO, an innovative store is one that tells a story while anticipating future needs. That could mean a fluid layout, smart digital tools, meaningful brand storytelling, or a new kind of relationship with suppliers. Innovation lives not only in technology but in the connections forged with communities, collaborators, and clients.
How does the CSE Award raise the bar for sustainability?
The CSE — Certified Sustainable Eyewear — Award honors brands that go beyond greenwashing. Recycled materials, waste reduction, renewable energy, supply chain transparency: all evaluated by an international jury against measurable criteria. The message is clear — sustainability is now a competitive advantage, not an optional extra.
What’s new in 2026 when it comes to responsibility?
2026 introduces the CSE Corporate Award, shifting the focus from products to companies. This award recognizes exhibitors that fully embed ESG principles into their operations and long-term strategy. It rewards sustainability as a cultural and strategic engine — not just a label, but a method and commitment.
Why highlight the MIDO Awards 2026 right now?
Because the MIDO Awards 2026 capture more than trends — they signal a shift in how eyewear is designed, sold, and made responsibly. At a time when every player is seeking reinvention, these awards provide a clear compass for where the future of optics is headed.
