Specsavers
- 696 practices
- Number of employees not provided
- Annual revenue not provided
Global chain of optical practices founded by Doug and Dame Mary Perkins more than 30 years ago and now operating across 10 countries. Significant wins in the past few years include expansion in domiciliary care after acquiring Healthcall and being awarded the contract to provide DVLA-approved eye tests.
Boots Opticians
- 629 practices
- 5,800 employees
- £349m annual revenue
Now part of the Walgreens Boots Alliance, the multiple is able to offer eye care services within a wider health and beauty setting incorporating its huge pharmacy operation. Boots bolstered its standalone high street presence significantly with the purchase of 400 Dollond & Atchison practices in 2009.
Vision Express
- 390 practices
- 4,600 employees
- Annual revenue not provided
Vision Express opened its first practice in Gateshead, Newcastle in 1988, and was taken over by European optical retail group GrandVision a decade later. The multiple has since grown its store network since, both organically and through acquisitions including the purchasing the Rayners and Conlons groups last year.
Tesco Opticians
- 205 practices
- 1,410 employees
- Annual revenue not provided
Supermarket optical chain launched in the late 90s through a tie-up with Cheshire-based Galaxy Optical Services, which manufactures and distributes prescription glasses. Tesco can capitalise on longer opening times and passing traffic from grocery shoppers, and has in recent years looked to offer more pre-registration places for students.
Scrivens
- 170 practices
- 1,000 employees
- Annual revenue not provided
Family-owned business founded in the Midlands 75 years ago by Solomon Scriven and now headed up by grandsons Nicholas and Mark Georgevic (pictured). Its growth in audiology prompted a corporate name change to Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care in 2013, with Mark Georgevic current chair of The National Community Hearing Association.
Optical Express
- 145 practices
- 1,500 employees
- £125m annual revenue
Founded in 1991 and operating in five markets, Optical Express has performed over 2 million refractive surgery procedures. The company treats more patients than all other laser eye surgery providers combined, and in the past three years has offered eye care professionals free IOL and refractive surgery.
Asda Opticians
- 145 practices
- 1,701 employees
- Annual revenue not provided
Supermarket optical retailer owned by US retail giant Walmart able to promote low prices and run regular offers. Indeed, the chain recently took a swipe at its high street optical rivals by saying pensioners were being hit by an estimated £144m in ‘eye tax’ due to high prices for varifocal lenses at other optical outlets.
David Clulow
- 39 practices
- Number of employees not provided
- Annual revenue not provided
Operated by Luxottica, David Clulow has positioned itself as a premium optical retailer operating in Ireland and in the United Kingdom, predominantly in London and in the south east of England. The company also operates a number of designer sunglass concessions in up-market department stores.
Leightons Opticians
- 33 practices
- 253 employees
- £22m annual revenue
Optical dynasty based in Farnham and operating in the South of England since 1928. Now headed up by CEO Ryan Leighton, the grandson of founder Oscar Leighton the company is currently investing heavily in revamping its practices with a stronger look, and move away from its earlier burgundy brand colour.
Black & Lizars
- 25 practices
- 367 employees
- £14.5m annual revenue
Scotland’s largest independently-owned optometrists celebrates its 185th anniversary this year. John Lizars opened the first ever practice in Glasgow’s Merchant City, initially manufacturing optical and scientific instruments. The company has gradually made the move into eye care, but still offers a range of photographic and optical equipment.
