General Optica grows

General Optica, the Spanish chain that is part of the De Rigo Group, has opened 12 new stores under franchising and 4 wholly-owned stores, carrying on the expansion plan begun in November 2002 and which aims to open 300 outlets in five years, 200 wholly-owned and 100 franchised.

Growth in the number of stores has been accompanied by good financial results, with billings growing in the first nine months of 2003 by 6.5% to 100.1 million euros.

General Optica currently has a 10% share of the Spanish market, with 154 stores (10 of which are in Portugal) and 1,400 employees.

(Source: Informacion Optica)