Coastal Contacts acquires AsianZakka

Coastal Contacts, the acquisitive online contact lens retailer, has bought AsianZakka, the second largest online distributor of contact lenses in the Far East.

The Canadian company’s president and chief executive Roger Hardy said: ‘Japan alone is the second largest contact lens market in the world and other countries in the region such as Korea, China and India represent significant opportunities.’

The company, based in Singapore, operates several websites throughout Asia and is expected to reach sales of more than C$9m over the next year.

‘Combining Coastal’s international experience and logistics expertise with AsianZakka’s regional knowledge will create a dynamic team,’ added Hardy.

Two months ago Coastal bought MyLenses in the Netherlands (News, August 18) and last year it bought the Swedish site YourLenses (News, June 3, 2005).