Asda unveils bold plan for optical expansion

In a move which has been reported as a further indication that it is to take on the Boots Group, Asda, which was taken over by US giant Wal-Mart in July 1999, has established a 'Speciality' division to cover its growing photo, optical and pharmacy operations. The division plans to set up 44 further Vision Centres in both new and existing stores and employ an additional 50 optometrists, 50 dispensing opticians and 100 support staff. The first three centres will open at Chadderton and Horwich in Lancashire, and Eastleigh in Hampshire. These sites - the first three of 44 targeted stores - were chosen because they are currently under development and Asda's demographic profile of consumers is 'a good fit' for Vision Centres. The company's optical development manager Nigel Murray told optician the plan was not to clone Wal-Mart's offering, which has 1,000 Vision Centres in the US, but to tailor it to meet the requirements of the UK market. 'It has always been our intention to drive this development as hard and as fast as possible. Following a performance review up to and including Christmas, this continues to be our view as the results so far are extremely encouraging.' As previously reported (News, July 28, 2000) there are already six Asda Vision Centres in operation - Patchway, Minworth, Havant, Leicester, Docklands and Greenhithe. There will be Vision Centres in all Asda/Wal-Mart supercentres in the future, including the 'biggest supermarket in Scotland' which opens in Livingstone in November.