Gorinchem, Brussels, 7 December 2021 - The twenty Belgian stores of the optical retail chain eyes + more will be owned by the Dutch E & M Holding, part of the Hans Anders Retail Group which also includes Hans Anders (Netherlands and Belgium) and Direkt Optik (Sweden). The acquisition offers plenty of opportunities for the eyes + more formula to develop further in Belgium.
Eyes + more, which is also active in the Netherlands, Germany and Austria, was acquired by the Hans Anders Retail Group in 2018. The Belgian branches thereby remained in the hands of Eyes!, an independently operating franchise organisation owned by five private shareholders. Through the acquisition, the eyes + more holding now fully owns the entire eyes + more organisation in Belgium and the Netherlands.
As a result of the takeover, little will change for the shops, employees and customers in Belgium. The more than 50 Belgian eyes + more employees will keep their jobs. However, following the acquisition, considerable synergy advantages can be achieved in the field of innovations in marketing, digitalization, IT infrastructure, buying and expertise in optics. Within eyes + more itself, but also in relation to the other optical chains of the Hans Anders Retail Group.
eyes + more is a healthy and successful chain in Belgium. Now that we have obtained ownership, the Belgian business will be able to benefit more from all the advantages our group offers.Ulli Eickman, CEO eyes + more
Ulli Eickman, CEO of eyes + more is excited about the acquisition: "Eyes + more is a healthy and successful chain in Belgium. Now that we have obtained ownership, a full integration with the rest of the organisation can take place. As a result, the Belgian business will be able to benefit more from all the advantages our group offers. This will allow us to manage the commercial and financial results even better and to grow our market share even faster in Belgium".
Bart van den Nieuwenhof, CEO of the Hans Anders Retail Group: "The acquisition of eyes + more Belgium is an important next step in the group’s European growth strategy, as it will further increase the quality of the optical retail chains gathered under the roof of the Hans Anders Retail Group.
About Nexeye
Nexeye
Nexeye is a platform of retail companies that currently consists of three value-for-money options brands operating in five European countries.
Hans Anders was founded 40 years ago and is active in the Netherlands and Belgium with 407 shops offering eye and hearing care. In 2021, the chain won the 'Shopping Award' thanks to a successful omnichannel strategy.
eyes + more operates with 282 branches in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium, focuses on affordable, fashionable eye care and is the fastest-growing optical chain in Europe.
Direkt Optik has 37 shops in Sweden.
In total, nexeye and labels employ more than 4,000 people (headcount). British investor 3i owns nexeye.
Contact details
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- Rian van Koulil
- Director Brands & Corporate Communications
- rian.van.koulil@nexeye.com
- +31 6 126 838 24
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- Dagmar Steins
- Advisor Corporate Communications
- dagmar.steins@nexeye.com
- +31 6 51 59 28 68
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The twenty Belgian stores of the optical retail chain eyes + more will be owned by the Dutch E & M Holding, part of the Hans Anders Retail Group which also includes Hans Anders (Netherlands and Bel...