France’s Optical Center Enters Canada with 3 Locations

Date:

Share post:

Optical Center, an eye and hearing care store, is geared for big future expansion after opening three locations in the past year in the Montreal area.

Benjamin Blaise, director of development for the company in Quebec, says Optical Center is a company based in France with the first store opening in 1991. The company currently has 522 stores in seven countries – 90 per cent of them in France. The others are in Spain, Turkey, Switzerland, Belgium, Israel and now Canada.

The company plans to grow more locations in Quebec.

“We want to open a lot of stores – to franchise the concept of Optical Center,” says Blaise. “Right now we don’t have a good number to know how many stores will open. We want to make good on these three stores and after that probably open a lot of stores. In Quebec, we will have probably 40 or 50 stores (in the future).”

Optical Center

The next step after that could even include expansion outside of the province’s boundaries.

“The last store in Pointe-Claire is in the English part in West Island. We are trying a new concept with the English part. If this one works very well, maybe we think of moving West or maybe even south,” says Blaise.

The first Canadian store opened in LaSalle, Quebec followed by one in Montreal and then another in Pointe-Claire.

“All of them opened this year,” says Blaise.

Optical Center

Optical Center has opticians and optometrists as well as audiologists. It sells eye frames, lenses and contact lenses. About 12 years ago the company began to offer audiology services.

“Now we are probably one of the first stores in Canada with both parts hearing and eye care,” says Blaise.

Each of the three Quebec stores has opticians and optometrists based there. There is one audiologist for the three stores.

Blaise says the company has a great partnership with Construction Vergo – Mylène Hardy, Paul Belanger and Yves Ducharme – which allowed the concept to come to fruition.

“Paul went to Europe to see what exactly an Optical Center store is and what we exactly wanted for Quebec,” he says. “Mylène was my eyes and my ears during construction. It was so nice to have somebody who understood exactly what we wanted and being self-motivated.”

“It’s our first stores in North America and we wanted to share this adventure with someone who truly understands our concept store. Working with them was one of our best decisions.”

Optical Center
Optical Center

Hardy, Account Manager, Commercial Interiors Division with Construction Vergo, says the company was tasked with finding the right architects and engineers that would respect the concept and design of the stores which were already created in France.

“We needed to understand their concept and apply it to Canada,” says Hardy. “For example with the lights. We had to find an equivalent here in Canada to make sure that it was as per their spec and as per their needs. They have special needs for lighting . . .  We applied their design to our Canadian stores.”

Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi, based in Calgary, has more than 40 years experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald covering sports, crime, politics, health, faith, city and breaking news, and business. He is the Senior News Editor with Retail Insider in addition to working as a freelance writer and consultant in communications and media relations/training.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More From The Author

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

Advertisment

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

Related articles

Interview with Giant Tiger’s New CEO Gino DiGioacchino on the Future of the Iconic Canadian Retailer [Interview]

DiGioacchino speaks to Retail Insider after being appointed as the new President and CEO of Giant Tiger, and discusses the future of the business and importance of maintaining strong connections with local communities.

Purdys Chocolatier Expands Footprint with Pop-Up Stores [Interview]

The strategy involves providing customers with a taste of Purdys' renowned chocolates in areas where the brand hasn't had a presence before.

Colliers Report Emphasizes the Retail Advantage of Bridging the Digital-Physical Divide [Interview]

A recent report by Colliers Real Estate Management Services reveals that retailers who effectively blend their online and physical store operations are 35% more likely to achieve profitability, with the study emphasizes the importance of omnichannel strategies, convenience, property maintenance, and retailer-driven ESG initiatives.

Preview of ICSC@CANADA Conference 2023: Retail, Technology, and Networking Opportunities in Toronto [Interview]

Craig and Kyle Tomlin, Director of Events in Canada for ICSC, discuss the highly anticipated ICSC@CANADA 2023 conference, set to take place from October 2nd to 4th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Hall in downtown Toronto.

Canadian Grocers Take a Page from Carrefour’s Playbook to Tackle ‘Shrinkflation [Op-Ed]

French supermarket chain Carrefour has labeled products impacted by reduced size, and similar measures may be adopted in Canada to enhance transparency in food pricing, says Sylvain Charlebois.

Jeweller Mejuri Debuts Personalized App and Innovative Membership Program; Plans Expansion with 5 New Stores [Co-Founder Interview]

The popular brand's personalized mobile app and membership program aim to enhance customer engagement and personalization, as Mejuri enters major markets with stores.

Fast-Casual Restaurant Concept MightyBird Opening 1st Location in Toronto in a Partnership [Interviews]

The new concept at Union Station will be the first of many in a partnership between Eat Up Canada and Open Concept Hospitality.

KIT + ACE Launches Store Expansion in Canada Under New Ownership [Interview]

The Vancouver-based retailer will open two locations this fall in Toronto and Calgary, with plans for a substantial expansion into 2024 says CEO David Lui.

Casual Steakhouse Chain MR MIKES Expanding Further in Canada [Interview]

With plans for continued expansion into Western Canada and Ontario, the restaurant chain is evolving its concept and targeting smaller markets to establish itself as a hub for local communities.

Canadian Retail Sales: A Slight Recovery Amidst Economic Challenges [J.C. Williams Group Analysis]

The analysis explores the noteworthy trends in the health and wellness sector, the resilience of certain retail categories, and the impending holiday season's strategic considerations for retailers.

Bloor Street Retail Transformation: Luxury Brands, Renovations, and New Openings in Toronto [Podcast]

Craig and Lee take a deep dive into the dynamic changes occurring on Toronto's Bloor Street West, noting the street's resurgence as a thriving hub for luxury shopping in the city.

Ricardo’s Kandy Korner to Open Flagship Candy Store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto [Interview]

Entrepreneur Ricardo Rizaie says he’s planning to take his experiential candy retail concept across Canada after opening a third Canadian storefront in downtown Toronto.