optical chains i us and uk

[thomas pedersen]

I need the names of the;

4 biggest optical retailers
4 most different from others in eyecare concept

Is there any of them who have a unique concept in eyecare?

[AdmiralKnight]

I'm not 100% sure, not being in the states myself, but I'm sure Lenscrafters is up there.

[Chris Ryser]

I
need the names of the;
4 biggest optical retailers
4 most different from others in eyecare concept

Is there any of them who have a unique concept in eyecare?

There is the one and only LUXOTTICA (Italian frame manufacturer) who owns and controls who owns and controls ca. 35% of the USA retail market under various chain names. Have no idea about their unique concepts in eyecare.

Also check out COSTCO and WalMart they also have a few thousand stores.

[tntborden]

I think adding ECCA would round out the top 4

[renee1111]

Here in canada one of the largest would be Hakim Optical. He ownes about 140 stores.

[AdmiralKnight]

There is the one and only LUXOTTICA (Italian frame manufacturer) who owns and controls who owns and controls ca. 35% of the USA retail market under various chain names. Have no idea about their unique concepts in eyecare.

Also check out COSTCO and WalMart they also have a few thousand stores.

Lux isn't a 'retailer' though, atleast not the way I took the meaning of the question, as they're made up of many chains, some huge (Lens Crafters) and some smaller (I don't think Macey's is that big, is it? lol).

Here in canada one of the largest would be Hakim Optical. He ownes about 140 stores.

Really? I was going to say that Shorney's/Shoppers/Pearl was bigger than that. I don't know the exact number, but if I recall when the takeover was announced, they sent out a newsletter, and I thought there were more than 140 locations. I can't remember exactly though, so I could be completely wrong. lol

[LENNY]

Lux isn't a 'retailer' though, atleast not the way I took the meaning of the question, as they're made up of many chains, some huge (Lens Crafters) and some smaller (I don't think Macey's is that big, is it? lol).



Really? I was going to say that Shorney's/Shoppers/Pearl was bigger than that. I don't know the exact number, but if I recall when the takeover was announced, they sent out a newsletter, and I thought there were more than 140 locations. I can't remember exactly though, so I could be completely wrong. lol

I dont think Lux ownes Macys!?

[bhess25]

ECCA has over 2000 stores

[FullCircle]

With all stores (including sunglass stores) I think Lux is just under 6000

[optigrrl]

I think the most unique model would have been the Optical Shop of Aspen - Larry's Luxury concept - although Luxottica now owns them....

*sigh*

[k12311997]

Lux isn't a 'retailer' though, atleast not the way I took the meaning of the question, as they're made up of many chains, some huge (Lens Crafters) and some smaller (I don't think Macey's is that big, is it? lol).



Really? I was going to say that Shorney's/Shoppers/Pearl was bigger than that. I don't know the exact number, but if I recall when the takeover was announced, they sent out a newsletter, and I thought there were more than 140 locations. I can't remember exactly though, so I could be completely wrong. lol

I dont think Lux ownes Macys!?

Macy's is US Vision. last I knew actual numbers was before Lux bought cole. The top three were Lux, Cole, and US Vision.

[AdmiralKnight]

They're featured in the Lux newsletters, so I'm assuming they're owned by lux :)

[k12311997]

They're featured in the Lux newsletters, so I'm assuming they're owned by lux :)

maybe north of the border or maybe some are one, some are another but I know for a fact the Macy's in my neck of the woods are owned by US Vision.

http://www.usvision.com/htm/about_us.htm

U.S. Vision, Inc. , a wholly-owned subsidiary of Refac Optical Group, is a retailer of optical products and services through retail optical departments licensed to operate within national and regional department stores and through a limited number of freestanding retail locations. Our retail optical departments are full-service retail vision care stores that offer an extensive selection of designer brands and private label prescription eyewear, contact lenses, sunglasses, ready-made readers and accessories. As of May 8th, 2007, we operate 500 locations in 47 states and Canada, consisting of licensed department and freestanding stores. We currently operate retail optical departments in JCPenney, select Sears, Macy's and other various regional department stores.

[AdmiralKnight]

We currently operate retail optical departments in JCPenney, select Sears, Macy's and other various regional department stores.

Perhaps it's just your local Macy's then, because Sears is DEFINATELY Lux.*shrugs* Who knows now a days? lol

*edit* Just a quick blurb I found on the Sears Optical disclaimer page:

If you are a California resident and a Sears Optical, BJ's Optical, LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, Watch Station, Watch World, Pearle Vision, Target Optical, or Macy's Optical customer, you have the right to request information from Sears Optical about the way in which Sears Optical shares certain categories of your personal information with affiliated Luxottica Retail companies for their direct marketing purposes.

[optigrrl]

Macy's is owned by Federated Group, and they lease out department space to companies like Luxottica (optical), Finlay (fine jewelry) and Elizabeth Arden, Clinique, etc. (cosmetics). They get rent + a % of gross sales.

[bhess25]

2000 was only a joke..i didnt realise anyone had more than even a thousand stores...we just have over 400, but they keep opening more every month...last year they opened a bunch in illinios..im sure well hit the 1000 mark within 2 years or so...now that highmark ownes us.