Dame Mary Perkins spells out Specsavers internet strategy

Specsavers' joint venture partners will not be adversely affected by the company's forthcoming online venture, Dame Mary Perkins, Specsavers' founder, has confirmed.

'It's extra business to them, nothing's coming my way,' she said speaking exclusively to Optician last week. News of Specsavers' incentive had attracted negative publicity over the impact on its partners but she insisted the complaints were 'misinformed', maintaining that the move had been 'designed by the joint venture partners, not by head office.'

Dame Mary rejected criticism that the initiative would increase footfall in stores as online customers came in for fittings, but not necessarily overall frame sales. She claimed the move would 'ease the workload' for store staff since customers who had browsed online would not need their assistance to choose frames, while producing extra customers 'which is all to the benefit of the joint venture partners and their staff'.