Australian eyewear giant Specsavers has acquired Image Optometry, which operates 18 corporate and franchise stores in and around the Vancouver area. Image Optometry is the largest optometry owned chain in British Columbia.
For its part, Specsavers is the biggest private optometry owned chain in the world. Its arrival in Canada had been in the rumour mill for a while and dreaded by a lot of players in the market. Very few details have been disclosed about this transaction. When Optik inquired, Image Optometry has declined to comment further for now, stating that “t’s very much business as usual for us, so there isn’t anything else to share .”
By way of a press release, long time owner of Image Optometry, Dr. Alan R. Boyco, had this to say : “I’m extremely pleased that the amazing healthcare business that the team and myself have built over the years will now be in the very safe hands of Specsavers, and the fantastic value for money and great eye care that Image Optometry provides customers each day will continue into the future.”
On the Specsavers front, comments came from Nigel Parker, Specsavers Chief Strategy Officer; “Our relationship with the team at Image goes back many years. When we became aware that Dr. Boyco wanted to now focus on his other business interests, it was a logical step for us to welcome Image Optometry and its franchisees, team members and customers into the Specsavers family. We are currently assessing how we can help Image continue to serve consumers in British Columbia, but in the meantime it’s very much business as usual”
Established in 1984 by Optometrists Doug & Mary Perkins, Specsavers has over 3,500 Optometrists, Retail and Audiologist Partners, owns and operates 2,350 stores in 10 countries, and is supported by 40,000 stores and support office colleagues. The company claims annual revenues of approximately CAD 5 Billion.
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