Specsavers to go dutch with european expansion
PICTURES OF MARY PERKINS WITH TULIPS AVAILABLE SPECSAVERS TO GO DUTCH WITH EUROPEAN EXPANSION MULTI-MILLION INVESTMENT TAKES UK'S LEADING OPTICAL RETAILER INTO EUROPEAN LEAGUE OF ITS OWN SPECSAVERS OPTICIANS is to forge ahead with an ambitious European expansion plan that will see the creation of 30 new stores and 300 new jobs in Holland. This is the latest stage of a rapid rollout that's expected to establish the privately owned company as Europe's biggest and most successful optical retailer. The investment comes as many British retailers scale down their overseas operations. Specsavers founder and group chairman, Doug Perkins, explained: 'We are already the UK's leading optical retailer. By implementing the same winning formula we have developed here in the UK we feel confident we can enjoy the same level of success in Europe. 'We are committed to low, transparent pricing and a truly personal, professional service. We offer the best quality frames and lenses on the marketplace along with our own range of designer frames that are manufactured in the same factories as many well known designer brands. This is a new concept in Holland so there is definitely a place for us there. .../ -2- 'Our ethos and focus has given us a real leading edge at home. We view this move as part of a much bigger strategy that will drive us in to new and exciting global markets.' The expansion will begin with the creation of The Netherlands' first ever optical megastore in Rotterdam, a blueprint that will be replicated across Europe. The state-of-the-art flagship store in the country's busiest shopping street, The Lijnbaan, will be four times the size of a normal Specsavers outlet and will also be used as a training academy and centre of optical excellence. It's anticipated the new megastore will be the biggest and busiest in Rotterdam, with up to 10,000 customers expected to pass through its doors during the first year of trading. Within three years, it's expected to be the highest volume optical retail outlet in The Netherlands. Specsavers, which employs 9,000 people in the UK and The Netherlands, is already the third largest optical group in Holland, having grown from just three stores in 2000 to 33 stores today. Doug Perkins added: 'These are very exciting times for us. We realise we are one of just a handful of British retailers enjoying success in Europe but believe we have a very strong offering that makes us different to any of our competitors, regardless of where in the world they operate.' The Specsavers Group last year recorded sales of £430 million and on average, stores increase their turnover by 20% year on year. Last year, Specsavers distributed £53 million in partner profits and bonuses. Notes to editors: Ø Specsavers employs 9,000 people and has 440 stores throughout the UK, Republic of Ireland and The Netherlands... Ø For the first time, Specsavers recently recorded £10m sales in just one week. Ø One in four people who wear glasses buy them from Specsavers Opticians - 5 million frames were sold during 2001. Ø Specsavers sells a pair of glasses every six seconds. Ø Specsavers was voted Britain's most trusted brand of opticians in 2002 by Reader's Digest, which surveyed nearly 40,000 consumers in 18 countries. Further information from: Laurna O'Donnell, Beattie Media, 0771 8660 117 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/04/29/20020429BIT01550/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/04/29/20020429BIT01550/wkr0002.pdf