A tie-up with celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has boosted operating profit by opticians Vision Express by 11 per cent in 2013.
It is the third straight year of like-for-like growth.
CEO Jonathan Lawson commented: “As well as celebrating 25 years of trading, we have acquired a number of stores from Crown Eyeglass and Rayner & Keeler practices.”
Turnover increased by 6 per cent as the firm said the Blumenthal range was the most successful launch in its history.
Owner GrandVision has also acquired online contact lens experts Lenstore which will boost its multi-channel offering as consumer will have the option of ordering contact lenses online and glasses in-store.
The optical retailer recently launched a national media campaign named ‘Vision Taken Seriously‘ which aims to highlight the importance of regular eye tests.
Vision Express opened eight stores in 2013 and has already opened a further four to date this year, including Cheapside and Kings Road in London.
The retailer opened its first store in 1988 in Newcastle and has since grown to 373 stores after being acquired by optical retail group GrandVision in 1997.
