Specsavers to open 20 outlets over next year

Specsavers plans to open 20 practices across the UK and the Republic of Ireland over the next 12 months.

The UK's biggest optical retailer currently has 648 outlets in the UK and 36 in Ireland, with a total of 1,536 optical and hearcare stores worldwide.

According to a Specsavers spokesperson the new practices would see the company continue to extend its offering into more local catchments. In October Dame Mary Perkins revealed the strategy which has seen Specsavers open practices in smaller communities, but limit shop-fitting and equipment costs because of the smaller volumes of patients they attract (News 16.10.09).

According to Ian Thomas, Specsavers' director of business development, the expansion into smaller communities has been successful. 'The Specsavers model continues to be successful across all locations where it has opened. In addition to the new store programme there is also a significant level of investment in the existing store base in order to enhance the customer experience and increase capacity across the group,' he said. Thomas added that several practices would relocate to bigger premises over the next 12 months.