Specsavers Canada has reached a major national milestone with the opening of its 250th store, located inside the Real Canadian Superstore on Lougheed Highway in Mission, British Columbia. The location is led by Retail Partner Vicky Peng, a licensed optician whose journey from store manager to business owner reflects the optometry-led partnership model that has defined Specsavers’ rapid growth across the country.
The Mission opening represents how quickly Specsavers has scaled since entering Canada in 2021, and how decisively it has positioned grocery-anchored retail as a new access point for primary eyecare. In just four years, the brand has moved from an initial British Columbia foothold to becoming the country’s largest optical retailer by store count, serving hundreds of thousands of Canadians annually.
Specsavers entered the Canadian market in late 2021 through the acquisition of Image Optometry, launching its first locations in Nanaimo and Coquitlam. From the outset, the company committed to a high-investment expansion strategy designed to remove barriers for optometrists and opticians while accelerating national coverage. That approach included covering 100 percent of startup costs for new locations and applying its joint-venture partnership model rather than a traditional franchise structure.
The results have been swift. Within two years, Specsavers surpassed 100 Canadian locations. By December 2025, it had crossed the 250-store threshold, with Mission serving as the milestone location. The pace has been further amplified following the announcement of a major relationship with Loblaw Companies Ltd., which will see more than 100 Specsavers locations open inside grocery stores nationwide.
A Community-Focused Location in Mission
For Vicky Peng, the Mission store represents both a personal and professional achievement. After more than 15 years in the optical industry, she stepped into ownership through Specsavers’ partnership model, which allows licensed professionals to run their own businesses while benefiting from centralized operational support.
“My journey to becoming a store owner began with a simple passion, helping people experience the world more clearly,” Peng said. “What started as a love for improving vision grew into a commitment to creating a space where care and quality come first.”
She described Mission as a natural fit for the Specsavers model, particularly given the community’s family-oriented character and demand for convenient healthcare access.
“Mission is an incredibly community-minded city, and that’s exactly the kind of place where accessible, high-quality eyecare can make a meaningful difference,” Peng said. “Families are busy, and having eyecare where people already shop removes a real barrier.”
Grocery-Anchored Eyecare as a Growth Engine
The Mission location also underscores the strategic importance of grocery-anchored retail to Specsavers’ Canadian expansion. By situating stores inside Real Canadian Superstores and other Loblaw banners, the company is embedding eyecare into existing consumer routines rather than asking patients to make separate trips.
John Faires, Trading Director at Specsavers Canada, said convenience remains one of the most persistent obstacles preventing Canadians from booking regular eye exams.
“One in three Canadians are overdue for their regular eye exam,” Faires said. “By opening locations within grocery stores, we’re making it easier for people to fit eyecare into their everyday lives.”
He added that grocery-anchored locations often serve large catchment areas and smaller urban centres that have historically been underserved.
“These stores have steady foot traffic and broad reach,” Faires said. “They allow us to meet people where they already are while delivering a clinical experience that often exceeds expectations.”
Addressing an Eyecare Access Gap
The expansion strategy is closely tied to public health considerations. According to Specsavers, one-third of Canadians remain overdue for an eye exam, increasing the risk of preventable vision loss. In many communities outside major urban centres, access to comprehensive eyecare can require long travel times or limited appointment availability.
Specsavers has positioned its national rollout as a response to that gap. By combining extended retail hours, digital booking tools, and in-store clinical services, the company aims to normalize regular eye exams as part of routine household care rather than an occasional medical errand.
“Eye health often falls down the priority list for busy families,” Faires said. “Convenience changes that behaviour.”
Technology Raising the Standard of Care
A central pillar of the Specsavers value proposition is the inclusion of advanced diagnostic technology as part of standard eye exams. All Specsavers locations are equipped with optical coherence tomography, or OCT, a three-dimensional eye scan that allows optometrists to see beneath the surface of the retina.
“OCT allows us to detect sight-threatening conditions like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration much earlier,” Faires said. “By equipping stores with this technology, we’re helping to reduce avoidable blindness.”
Peng said many first-time patients are surprised by how comprehensive the exam experience is.
“People don’t expect that level of technology in a retail setting,” she said. “We take time to explain results, answer questions, and make sure patients understand their eye health, not just their prescription.”
Value and Fashion as Complementary Drivers
Beyond clinical care, affordability remains a key differentiator for Specsavers in the Canadian market. The brand’s pricing model, supported by global sourcing and scale, has allowed it to position fashionable eyewear as accessible rather than aspirational.
“Customers are often surprised by the range and prices of our glasses,” Peng said. “Fashionable frames used to feel like a luxury. People are realizing they can look great without overspending.”
Although Specsavers operates at national scale, each location is locally owned and operated through its partnership structure. Retail partners manage day-to-day operations and customer experience, while independent optometrists operate their clinical practices within the stores.
Faires said that balance has been critical to building trust in smaller communities like Mission.
“People appreciate knowing that their local Specsavers is owned by someone who lives and works in the community,” he said. “That local accountability matters.”
For Peng, ownership has deepened her connection to the customers she serves.
“It’s rewarding to continue serving this community with the backing of a trusted brand,” she said. “It allows me to focus on care while still building something of my own.”
Rapid Growth Reflects Market Demand
Reaching 250 stores in four years has positioned Specsavers as the largest optical retailer in Canada by footprint, a title that reflects both consumer demand and execution speed. The company reports that Canadians have responded strongly to its combination of professional care, modern stores, and transparent pricing.
“Our growth is a sign that we’re filling a real gap,” Faires said. “Access, quality, and affordability all matter, and Canadians expect them together.”
Specsavers has already cared for more than one million Canadians since entering the market and continues to track toward its long-term goal of serving one million patients annually.
What Comes Next for Specsavers Canada
While store openings have dominated headlines in recent years, Specsavers says its focus is beginning to shift. With a national footprint largely established, the company is now prioritizing care quality, technology adoption, and long-term patient relationships.
“Our focus is moving from rapid expansion to elevating the experience within our stores,” Faires said. “That includes introducing new products, expanding exclusive partnerships, and continuing to educate Canadians about the importance of regular eye exams.”
Communities like Mission are expected to remain central to that strategy, particularly as Specsavers deepens its presence in smaller cities and regional markets.
“Our commitment is long-term,” Faires said. “We want to change lives through better sight and ensure every Canadian can access the eyecare they need.”
