Asda looks to optical growth via Safeway

The prospect of more opticians outlets in the supermarket sector increased this week with Wal-Mart/Asda's interest in Safeway.
Asda spent much of last year recruiting for its 58 'vision centres', most of which are in its larger outlets. Should it succeed in buying Safeway it will acquire 204 supermarkets, including five 'megastores' at Plymstock in Devon, Rushden, Anniesland (Glasgow), Gamston (Nottinghamshire), and Milton Keynes - where any Asda opticians would be likely to be established. The largest Safeway is 29,400sq ft.
A spokesman for Asda said this week: 'There's no reason why we can't continue to expand our non-food areas, which includes opticians if any bid is accepted, given regulatory clearance.'
However, to have any bid accepted by UK regulators it may have to sell some of its existing stores.
As optician went to press, Asda announced it was considering making an all cash offer, which may give its bid the edge over its rivals. Commenting on the announcement of Asda's interest, Tony De Nunzio, its president and chief executive officer, has been reported as stating that his company has the 'financial muscle' to win.
As reported in 2002 in optician, this month Asda started its preparations for its own pre-registration scheme (News, August 23). Claire Slade, Asda's director of professional services, said that interviews have taken place in preparation for a programme which 'will be up and running in July'.
She also revealed Asda's Wolstanton, Staffordshire outlet is the next store in line to offer a full optical service when its opticians centre opens next month.