The route to market: optical retail chains, wholesale distributors that carry frame brands to independent opticians, and importers. In many countries a few chains buy most of the frames and lenses sold.
Optical Retail Chains & Distributors from United Kingdom — varieties
Each button first explains the product, then lists United Kingdom makers with specialities and contact routes.
Optical Retail Chains & Distributors (Retail groups, wholesalers, importers)Optical retail chainsOne-price spectacle chains (frame and lenses together)Optical markets and same-day spectacle shopsOnline eyewear retailersFrame wholesalers and distributorsLens distributorsEyewear importersDuty-free and travel retail eyewearOptical buying groupsEyewear licensing agents
Trade routes for optical retail chains & distributors in United Kingdom
ManufacturersExporters and wholesalersWholesalers and distributorsCertified suppliers (ISO 9001, CE, FDA, ISO 12870)Price and lead time
Retail chains and official websites
| Company | Country | Model | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specsavers | United Kingdom | Largest UK chain | Find official site |
| Boots Opticians | United Kingdom | Pharmacy-group chain | Find official site |
| Vision Express | United Kingdom | GrandVision chain | Find official site |
| Scrivens | United Kingdom | Family-owned chain since 1938 | Find official site |
| Leightons | United Kingdom | Chain since 1928 | Find official site |
| M&S Opticians | United Kingdom | In-store opticians | Find official site |
Links go to each company's own website. Prices and offers change; check them there.
Named optical retail chains & distributors producers in United Kingdom
| Company | City | Speciality | Live search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specsavers | Guernsey / Whiteley | Optical retail chain with own lens laboratories | AboutExplore |
| Boots Opticians | Nottingham | Optical retail chain | AboutExplore |
| Vision Express (EssilorLuxottica) | Nottingham | Optical retail chain | AboutExplore |
| Optical Express | Glasgow | Optical and laser eye clinic chain | AboutExplore |