Specsavers opened its first New Zealand store in Albany, Auckland, 10 years ago in November 2008, just nine months after opening its inaugural store in Australia. By the end of the year, Specsavers had opened more than 150 locations across both countries, converting a mix of independents and small groups to Specsavers’ business model before focusing on new stores.
Today there are currently 52 Specsavers stores in New Zealand. The joint venture partnership model is the mainstay with more than 100 New Zealand store partners participating in the business - the majority being first time business owners. While “changing the face of optometry” was the launch rallying cry of founder Doug Perkins 10 years ago, the patient focus remains, said the company, citing the recent completion of its $6.5 million OCT rollout in New Zealand.
“It seems quite extraordinary that 10 years have passed since we opened the first Specsavers practices in New Zealand,” said Doug Perkins. “While Kiwis were quick to embrace the Specsavers mix of high-quality clinical service, fashionable frames and incredible value, we could never have imagined the pace and scale of growth that our store partners have sustained over 10 years.
“Our mission in those first few years was to ‘change the face of optometry’ and ten years on it is remarkable to see the results. The average price of a pair of glasses has remained almost 50% lower than 2007 prices, the optometry market has trebled in size and New Zealanders have more choice and better value than ever before. The demand for clinical service is at all-time high and graduate optometrists are now the most highly-paid graduates in both Australia and New Zealand.
“In 2008 New Zealanders were typically returning for an eye test every five years – in Specsavers stores we know that is now every 2.2 years… our growth is set to continue and in the next 10 years we have a lofty but attainable goal – to transform eye health in New Zealand, Australia and beyond.”
