Tesco raises the profile of contact lens business

Supermarket Tesco has announced that its trial contact lens offer will become a key priority in the coming months and its optical division remains a prime focus of its Ônon-foodÕ business.
The group released its interim statement of results this week, which showed sales for the six months to August were up 14.2 per cent to £11.5bn.
Tesco now has 12 in-store opticians with plans to open another five Ð in Cheshunt, Horwich, Milton Keynes, Broadstairs and Reading Ð by November.
Speaking to optician, customer planning manager Judith Robinson said the optical division remains a priority for Tesco.
ÔConsumers tell us that our Opticians service is a core part of the ÒExtraÓ offer. Consequently it is now being planned as a matter of course into larger Tesco Extra Stores,Õ she said.
ÔTo underline this commitment, our Extras Store managers have recently undertaken a full-dayÕs training to understand the opticians market and the Tesco offering.Õ
For the future, she said the company is continually reviewing its business plan. Its 2002/3 plan to incorporate more professional development and training for optical staff will be formalised over the next few months.
ÔMore immediately, our contact lens direct-debit scheme has been on trial in the Watford store and will be rolled out to all Tesco opticians at the beginning of October. Raising awareness of our contact lens offer will be a key priority over the coming months,Õ she added.
Making his interim announcement, chief executive Terry Leahy said the company would continue towards the goal of being Ôas strong in non-food as foodÕ and it was continuing with the four-pronged strategy of a strong core UK business, non-food growth, improved retailing services and international expansion.