Independents face further competition

Pressure on traditional opticians will increase for the rest of the decade as franchising from the chains and further inroads by the supermarkets and pharmacies increase competition.

That is just one conclusion of a major report from Key Note Opticians & Optical Goods published this week.

According to the report the optical market for products and services is worth £4.02bn this year rising to £5.28bn by 2010. This comes on the back of one third increase in value between 2001 and 2005.

‘Although demand for some of the more expensive lenses and designer frames is still strong, a wave of discount deals are available and consumers are increasingly shopping around for the most competitive prices,’ said the report. Use of the internet was putting further pressure on high street prices. It predicted consolidation among the chains and a further loss of share for the independent sector.