Chris Bennett: Cutting out the middlemen

Much is made about the demise of the independent practice but, once again, it is the acquisition of a regional chain that has captured the headlines.

While the independent sector has been besieged by organisations and companies keen to help them survive the regional chains have been left to get their own house in order. Optician will shortly reveal the findings of its research into the UK's optical groups. Its findings make for surprising reading, while some have dwindled others have thrived. The squeezed middle, that is the regional chains, have seen some of the greatest change.

Vision Express' acquisition of Conlons (news) is yet another marker laid down by the French owned multiple that it has the stakes to play at the big table along with Specsavers and Boots. It's latest foray brings its tally of practices close to 400, add  to this its knack of signing new labels and position itself at the upper end of the market and it is clearly  a force to be reckoned with. Once dubbed the enfant terrible of the groups by Optician VE has clearly come of age.