Multiples continue to open new practices

Despite difficult trading conditions during 2010, the battle for market supremacy between the multiples shows no signs of abating with many of the big chains continuing to open new practices.

Specsavers Opticians revealed that it had increased its number of practices to 653 in the UK from the most recently reported figure of 648 (News 16.07.10).

With the opening of a new Boots Opticians franchise at the Clifton Down shopping centre in Bristol and its merger with Dollond & Aitchison, Boots told Optician that it had 'around 670' optical practices in the UK. Of these Boots said 'around 205' were franchises.

In spite of the economic climate, Tesco's optical division witnessed another year of expansion, increasing to 172 practices across the Galaxy Optical and Tesco network, up from 135 in March 2009 (News 09.04.10). In January 2008 there were 72 Tesco practices.