Alain Afflelou focuses on discount

Alain Afflelou has acquired Optical Discount, the chain of over 90 low-cost outlets in France, Belgium and Morocco. The operation has increased the French giant’s portfolio to almost 1300 optical stores. With the Claro by Afflelou and Optical Discount network, Alain Afflelou is a low-cost organization that now has about 150 outlets. The low-cost brand will also have interesting prospects of international growth in the countries in which the French chain has the biggest presence, starting with Spain and followed by Portugal. The 3-year objective is to have approximately 300 stores in France and about a hundred abroad. Eye care professionals Stéphane Laloum and Gilles Meridjen, founders and directors of Optical Discount, will remain at the head of the company.