Total ECP Names Dr. Ben Gaddie President and Launches New Shared Services Platform

By Staff
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 9:15 AM CINCINNATI—Total Eye Care Partners (Total ECP), a group of medically focused optometry practices founded in 2017 and based here, has named Dr. Ben Gaddie as president of the organization, according to an announcement Tuesday morning. Dr. Gaddie previously served as chief medical officer of Total ECP.

Vision Expo Announces 2019 OPTImum Retail Award Finalists, Voting Now Open

By Staff
Thursday, February 7, 2019 12:24 AM ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Vision Expo has announced the finalists for the second annual OPTImum Retail Award, which celebrates independent boutique retailers by allowing them to showcase their products, stores, visions and stories.

National Vision Opens Fourth Domestic Optical Lab

By Staff
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 12:21 AM DULUTH, Ga.—National Vision Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE), one of the nation’s largest optical retailers, announced it has expanded its eyeglass production capacity with the opening of its fourth domestic optical lab located in Plano, Texas. This new manufacturing facility joins an already sophisticated lab network consisting of three domestic locations—St. Cloud, Minn.; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Lawrenceville, Ga. The company also noted that it partners with two outsourced, third-party owned international locations in China and Mexico to service consumers’ optical needs.

FYidoctors Adds Another Practice in Southwest Ontario, a ‘Key Market’ for the Company

By Staff
Monday, February 4, 2019 12:15 AM CALGARY, Alberta—FYidoctors, an optometrist-owned eyecare company based here, announced this week that Wharncliffe Optometry, located in London, Ontario, has joined the FYidoctors family of eyecare practices. Wharncliffe Optometry is “a cutting-edge and progressive practice, equipped with a wide range of diagnostic technology, an impressive selection of designer and exclusive label frames,” according to the announcement. Wharncliffe Optometry, with three on-site optometrists, has been providing service to the residents of London, Ontario, for more than 40 years and has plans to renovate in two to three years to further accommodate the growing community, the announcement noted.

GrandVision Reports Preliminary Revenue Growth of 10.3 Percent in Fiscal 2018

By Staff
Thursday, January 24, 2019 12:21 AM SCHIPHOL, the Netherlands—GrandVision NV (EURONEXT: GVNV) this week reported preliminary and unaudited sales results of for its 2018 fiscal year, which noted that total sales rose 7.9 percent in 2018 (compared with 4 percent in 2017) and 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter (compared with 6.1 percent in the same period of 2017). At constant exchange rates, the increase was 10.3 percent in 2018 and 4.4 percent in last year’s fourth quarter, according to the announcement.

Riata Capital Group’s Acuity Eyecare Announces Acquisition of Family Eyecare of Winterset

By Staff
Friday, January 18, 2019 12:21 AM DALLAS—Riata Capital Group said Thursday that its portfolio company Acuity Eyecare Group has acquired Family Eyecare of Winterset, a single location practice based in Winterset, Iowa.

Sears Holdings Agrees to Revised Offer to Avoid Liquidation, According to Reports

By Staff
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 12:18 AM HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.—Sears Holdings Corp. reached a last-minute agreement on Tuesday with its chairman and affiliates of his ESL Investments hedge fund that should allow the iconic retailer to avoid liquidation, according to several reports. Sears is considering the new offer from chairman Edward Lampert and his investment funds, but the chairman must officially submit the revised offer, along with a $120 million deposit, by 4 p.m. Wednesday (today) to the New York bankruptcy court, according to the reports.

Transitions Optical Announces 2018 Transitions Innovation Award Finalists

By Staff
Thursday, December 20, 2018 12:27 AM PINELLAS PARK, Fla.—Transitions Optical Inc. has named the finalists for its annual Transitions Innovation Awards, which recognize both individuals and companies for their innovative efforts and programs to support the Transitions brand.

Sam’s Club Revamps its Optical Assortment With New Frame Lines

By Staff
Tuesday, December 4, 2018 12:27 AM BENTONVILLE, Ark.—Sam’s Club is taking steps to raise its game in the optical department, with the addition of new frame brands and a tie-in with the celebrity duo Bill and Giuliana Rancic.

Gearing Up for #SmallBizSat

By Staff
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 12:24 AM NEW YORK—This Saturday, November 24, marks the 8th annual Small Business Saturday, and there’s plenty to celebrate. When American Express launched Small Business Saturday in 2010, they kicked off a nationwide Shop Small Movement that would go on to effect just about every corner of the retail world—and the eyecare and eyewear fields are no exception. According to American Express, U.S. customers have reported spending a total of $85 billion at independent retailers and restaurants over the past 8 Small Business Saturdays.

Pearle Vision Signs Development Deal Covering Five Locations in Northern Illinois

By Staff
Friday, November 2, 2018 12:27 AM DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.—Pearle Vision, a national eyecare brand, has signed an area development agreement that covers the opening of five locations in northern Illinois, according to a Pearle Vision announcement late last month. The agreement is with Vick and Monika Mehta, who are “experienced, multi-unit business owners and longtime residents in the region,” the announcement noted. The agreement includes the opening of five new Pearle locations in the next three years across Boone, Dekalb, Kane, Kendall, McHenry and Winnebago counties in Illinois.

Sears Holdings Files for Bankruptcy Protection, Implements Leadership Changes

By Staff
Tuesday, October 16, 2018 12:27 AM HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.—Sears Holdings Corporation , a one-time icon of the U.S. retail sector, on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

National Vision Asks Student Grant Applicants to Consider Public Health Issues

By Staff
Tuesday, October 16, 2018 12:18 AM DULUTH, Ga.—National Vision Holdings is now accepting entries for its annual grant program. Now in its fourth year, National Vision is focusing this year’s program on optometrists’ role in public health, as many of the health issues that can be diagnosed during an eye exam are being seen at high volumes and are considered significant public health issues. The company is challenging students to explain how they will make an impact by combatting a national or regional public health issue as a future doctor of optometry for a chance to win a $5,000 grant.

Vision Source Expedites Care Coordination and Improves Quality Metrics via Kno2 Initiative

By Staff
Thursday, October 4, 2018 12:21 AM KINGWOOD, Texas—In collaboration with a large Midwest health system, Vision Source earlier this year piloted the Kno2: Interoperability as a Service program that focused on addressing metrics and outcomes for at-risk patients with diabetes. The pilot, the network’s first with Kno2, was deemed a success and reduced post-examination lag times by 80 percent, a Vision Source spokeswoman told VMAIL, as well as enabling Vision Source practices to close patient care loops within seven to 10 days rather than the previous time frame of four to 12 weeks.

2018 U.S. Optical Retailer Report and Directory Released by Jobson Optical Research

By Staff
Thursday, September 20, 2018 12:21 AM NEW YORK—Jobson Optical Research has released its exclusive 2018 U.S. Optical Retailer Report & Directory. The directory in this report includes a comprehensive listing of the top optical retailers in the U.S. Each listing details contact information for the company headquarters, key executives, buyer names for all product categories, and trade names/DBAs.