Flying the flag

Specsavers has opened its first two stores in Melbourne as part of its $30 million investment programme in Australia. The new outlets are part of the multiple chains' rolling-plan to open 150 stores nationwide by the end of the year.

Personally over-seeing the set and launch in Australia was co-found Doug Perkins, who that the Australian retail optics market was 'ripe for change' and currently dominated by one player who accounted for 50 per cent of the market.

'OPSM, Laubman & Pank and Budget Eyewear, the big names in the Australian market, are all owned by one player who is also the largest single supplier to independent optometrists. Our intention is to offer a real alternative choice by introducing the huge Specsavers range of high quality, low cost eyewear, which our global buying power can deliver,' said Perkins.