French optician Acuitis to expand across UK
French optician Acuitis is bringing a new store concept to the UK where it is looking to open 40 stores.
Having already piloted the concept at its existing stores in Milton Keynes, Oxford and London’s Tottenham Court Road, the company is now working with retail design agency Blackdog on strategy and communications as the brand is rolled out across the country over the next two years.
Blackdog was briefed to adapt and tailor the optician’s core proposition of an optical ‘fashion brand’ to the UK market to help it challenge market leaders Specsavers and Vision Express through its own-brand collections. The company’s frames are all created by eyewear designer Frederic Beausoleil at his Paris studio.
The first Acuitis store was opened in 2010 by Daniel Abittan and his son Jonathan. In addition to those in the UK, the business now has more than 60 stores in Italy, Spain, France, and Luxembourg.
Anna Thomas, retail operations director at Acuitis, said: “We want Acuitis to become a real challenger in the opticians and hearing market within the next two years, and Blackdog’s expertise is helping us to understand the gaps in the sector, educating and increasing the awareness of hearing health and amplifying our points of difference to make us relevant to a wider customer base in the UK.”
