Next denies move into prescription eyewear

Retailer Next has denied that it will start selling prescription spectacles through its Next Directory when the next version of its catalogue is published.

A posting that Next was to start selling spectacles was recently made in a chatroom on the College of Optometrists' website Monoptica. One chatroom user said Next planned to make available corrective spectacles with corrections up to five dioptres following the retailer's success with ready readers.

Reading glasses first appeared in the Next Spring Summer Directory 2005, published this January. The directory is backed up by a high profile and professional website.

A spokeswoman for Next said; 'To the best of our knowledge it is not happening. We do not have any information.' She suggested the rumour may be as a result of reading glasses making it into the latest copy of the directory. 'It is quite a technical looking page,' she added.

Reactions from other users of the chatroom have been of anger and resignation. One said the move was terrible news for the profession while others suggested optical practices should refuse to give out PDs or to start charging for PDs.

Others suggested that retailers would continue to cream off sales if practices carried on doing eye examinations so cheaply.

When quizzed on the rumour, the user who made the original posting replied that his brother worked for Next and was involved in setting up the scheme. He wrote that the scheme was definitely going ahead, that dispensing opticians had been employed for verification work and the legal implications had been checked out by Next.

Next currently sells a wide range of men's and women's sunglasses through Next Directory. Fashion styles for men and women start below £10.

In its latest financial report Next said its directory business was a fast growing contributor. As of January 2005 there were 1.9 million active Next Directory users. As well as offering clothing and homeware it has expanded into flowers, wine, gifts and watches.