Optician news in brief

Cooper Companies increased revenue for the second quarter ended April 30 to $344.6m, a rise of 6 per cent year on year. CooperVision revenue was up 5 per cent to $288m. The company reported a 63 per cent gross margin compared to 61 per cent, with savings related to the closure of its Norfolk, US, manufacturing plant completed in the first quarter of 2011, increased manufacturing efficiencies and a shift to higher margin silicone hydrogel products.

Brilmij Group, a subsidiary of Vision Express parent GrandVision, has agreed with Hans Anders Retail Group to acquire 100 per cent of the shares in Optical Services Group which operates 89 stores in the Netherlands under the Het Huis name. The firm, which had revenues in 2011 of €33m and 350 staff, also has partner contracts with 18 independents. Brilmij operates 277 stores under the Pearle brand in the Netherlands and 166 under the Eyewish Groeneveld name.