Profitability and private services explored in survey

A survey of 400 independent optical practices revealed that 20% were definitely or seriously considering ending NHS services and going private within three years.

Research was carried out in September by the Independent Marketing Partnership to explore practice profitability after the pandemic.

Graham Hutchison, managing director at the Independent Marketing Partnership, said: ‘Most independent opticians appear to have come through the Covid crisis in better shape than might be expected given the social restrictions and economic impact of the pandemic. However, this success might be giving them a false sense of security because the more fundamental competitive threat from the multiples and online retailers has not gone away.’