Mike Protopsaltis – Partnerships Director at Specsavers Canada

Specsavers, which recently entered the Canadian market, says British Columbia remains the group’s initial focus and there are no current plans to expand beyond the province in the short-term.

“Having only recently partnered with Image Optometry, we are focused on the re-launch of their stores under the Specsavers brand and on establishing new locations, owned and operated by eye care professionals, across B.C. Once that process is underway in the coming months, we will then spend time familiarising Vancouver and B.C. communities with our eye care and eyewear offer,” Specsavers partnerships director Mike Protopsaltis told Optical Prism.

However, he confirmed that Canadian optometrists and opticians from other provinces have already been in contact about ownership opportunities and when those opportunities might arise.

“They’re keen to understand our plans and how they can get involved as business partners with Specsavers and I am always happy to map out why Specsavers works so well for our partners.”

The British optometry franchise Specsavers, the world’s largest optometrist-owned eye care business, entered the Canadian market via its acquisition of Vancouver’s Image Optometry.

The group was founded in 1984 by optometrist husband-and-wife team Doug and Mary Perkins.

It offers a combination of affordable and accessible advanced eye care services and high-quality prescription eyewear.

Supporting almost 2,000 individual Specsavers eye care businesses under its franchise partnership model, the group has a global, integrated supply chain with facilities across Asia, UK, Australia, Eastern Europe and North America. Specsavers cares for 41 million patients across the world and supplies over 25 million frames, 50 million ophthalmic lenses and 500 million contact lenses every year.

Operating in 10 other countries, Specsavers has developed country-specific ownership models that take account of local regulations and are clear market leaders in eight of those 10 markets.