Argos withdraws contact lenses on advice from Optician

Argos stopped the sale of all its plano contact lenses this week following Optician's intervention.

The giant retailer listened to this journal after we informed it there had been a change in the law this summer, and that it could be acting unlawfully.

Last month we investigated the sale of lenses via Argos's 600 outlets following the changes in legislation involving contact lenses.

The GUS-owned business, which has sold cosmetic lenses for some time, continued not to require any prescription to be presented before making a sale despite a change in the law.

In its latest offer several 'fashion' contact lenses were available to consumers, either by browsing its website, or more typically reading its catalogue - published on July 30 - in a section devoted to teen-cosmetics and fashions.

However, after being informed of the Section 60 order amending the Opticians Act, which altered rules regarding the sale of contact lenses, the company thanked Optician for bringing the matter to its attention.

An Argos spokeswoman said: 'As a result of this, we have been in discussions with our supplier and have withdrawn all four of our cosmetic fashion lenses from sale.'

This week the business, which aims to expand to over 750 stores by March 2009, was busily telling its staff that the items were no longer to be sold by internal memos, and the lenses were pulled from being displayed on its website.

A spokesman for the GOC said: 'We are pleased that Argos has taken such prompt action to remedy matters without the need for the intervention of the courts.

Although not primarily charged with the prosecution of the criminal offences contained within the Opticians Act, the Council is empowered to undertake such prosecutions and will do so if, in the circumstances of a specific case, action appears necessary - particularly where there is a risk to public safety.'

david.challinor@rbi.co.uk