Specsavers’ revenues rise by 6% as it focuses on enhanced optical services

The company, which was founded in Guernsey, also sold 21.6 million frames and 400,000 hearings aid around the world alongside launching new stores and a suite of optical and audiology services.

Specsavers, which has 37,000 employees, also donated millions of pounds to good causes as part of its corporate responsibility approach – supporting local communities, trading ethically and protecting the environment. This year is the company’s 35th anniversary.

Group CEO Doug Perkins said: ‘We’re now a multi-category business with optics, home visits, contact lenses, audiology and broader eye care services all playing a part in being recognised as a trusted healthcare brand.

‘One critical element of our success is having 37,000 passionate and highly-skilled people as global partners, store teams, office and manufacturing and distribution colleagues – at the heart of everything we do.

‘What our 38 million customers across the globe really remember is great human interactions – the special care and attention that our people provide every day.’

Details of the company’s performance were set out in its latest annual review, which also highlighted how Specsavers is continuing to focus on enhanced optical services, those that fall outside the standard eye test.

In 2018/19, more than 570,000 customers in the UK accessed this service, a 37% increase on the previous year. Most were assessed and treated for minor eye conditions such as red eye or sticky eye, for which they would otherwise have had to go to their GP or to the local hospital A&E.

Others benefited from not having to go to hospital for services such as diabetic retinopathy screening, pre- and post-cataract surgery assessment and glaucoma monitoring. Working with the NHS and with local optical committees, saw an increase of 22% in the number of EOS schemes that were commissioned.

The annual review also highlighted Specsavers’ partnership with UK ophthalmology provider Newmedica. It has resulted in the introduction of new services, doubled the size of the Newmedica business and delivered ophthalmology services in clinics for more than 120,000 patients during 2018/19.

The company operates across 25 sites in England, covering the major adult sub-specialties of glaucoma, cataract, medical retina, macular and YAG lasers. Four Newmedica eye health clinics and surgical centres opened as ophthalmology joint ventures in the past 18 months with plans for at least two more in the year ahead

Looking to the year ahead, Specsavers co-founder Dame Mary Perkins said: ‘Developing our brand to reflect our growing healthcare position at the same time as representing our style and value credentials is an important step in making us fit for the future.

‘The truth behind our purpose hasn’t changed since day one: we are here to make a positive difference to the lives of all.’