Alain Afflelou growth in first six months

During the six months from May through October 2003, the Alain Afflelou group recorded 40% growth in consolidated turnover compared to the same period last year, a total of 64.3 million euros.

The strong increase is mainly due to the acquisition of the Carrefour optics stores (these results refer to the last 4 months), but on a comparable basis, growth is 10.3%.

Billings from wholly-owned stores grew by 8.2% to 27.7 million euros. At 10/31/2003 the network included 20 stores with the Alain Afflelou sign and 69 Optique Carrefour stores. During the period 9 JR&F stores and 3 stores in Nice were sold.

The network of franchised branches includes 525 stores (507 at the beginning of the tax year) and thanks to the 9 openings in November, the group has exceeded its annual target of 20 new outlets.

Currently, 30 Optique Carrefour outlets have already changed their signs to Alain Afflelou. In Spain sales grew by 32.8% (10.1% at a constant number of stores).