Fielmann, GermanyÕs giant optical chain, is planning to enter the UK market with outlets in London and Edinburgh.
It is likely the German optical business will establish a British presence, by first buying already well established optical branches in England and Scotland.
It plans to open one of its ÔEuropean flagshipÕ branches in Amsterdam shortly. The store will have 1,200 square metres of floor space in a prime location, and it follows its purchase of the five-store Dutch optical retail chain Groeneveld Brillen en Contaclenzen.
Hamburg-based Fielmann currently employs nearly 10,000 people, and has 450 outlets in several European countries.
As well as London and Edinburgh, Fielmann is looking at locations in Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Paris, Brussels, and Dublin, among others.
Ulrich Brockmann, FielmannÕs head of investor relations, confirmed that Britain was one of the companyÕs key expansion targets, although its entry may not happen this year.
ÔWe may go to Britain by organic growth, or via buying a chain,Õ he said. ÔIf our entry is through purchasing a group and has a good name we are unlikely to change it to Fielmann.Õ
He said the market for contact lenses in Britain was much larger than in Germany, though FielmannÕs entry into the UK may have to wait as the Amsterdam branch had, until the company found a group it wished to acquire and had Ôgood contacts in the marketÕ.
ÔIn addition to Zurich and Vienna, Amsterdam will be the third of a series of planned supercentres in European metropolises, hopefully in 2002,Õ he said.
Mr Brockmann added that FielmannÕs finances had a Ôcomfortable first halfÕ despite a slackening of consumer confidence.
The group expects Ôdouble-digit growthÕ for 2001 and aims to sell over five millions pairs of spectacles during the year.
u See Omen, page 14.