Perkins views Australia as ripe for expansion

Specsavers co-founder Doug Perkins has delivered a mixed verdict on the Australian optical market saying his company's new venture would bring fresh competition to the suppy chain.

Perkins made his comments following a trip with co-founder and wife Mary to Australia heading a team that delivered seven keynote seminars to over 200 optometrists.

He said that high competition for course places and high salaries owing to a shortage of professionals made optometry a good career choice for Australian students. A strong economy also gave customers the disposable income to follow fashion trends and pay for innovations in optical products.

Government-funded eye examinations had been the norm for decades in Australia and extra funding was available for additional procedures such as visual fields testing. However, a closer look at the market revealed significant challenges, Perkins said.